Reviews

The White Book, by Han Kang

natashaadam's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

czytomasz's review against another edition

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2.0

Nie czytałem innych książek tej autorki, więc nie mogę powiedzieć, że się zawiodłem lub że spodziewałem się po niej czegoś więcej, ale rzeczywiście brakowało mi tutaj czegoś. Jest to zbiór pojedynczych impresji, bardziej lub mniej ze sobą powiązanych, krążących wokół jednego tematu. Lubię krótkie książki, ale w tym przypadku jej długość jest zdecydowanym minusem- przez duże nagromadzenie niektórych sentencji ma się wrażenie banału. Może się sprawdzić jako zbiór ładnych cytatów, ale niestety, nie zostawia we mnie żadnych emocji.

obviouschild96's review

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emotional sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

fossilizedpotato's review

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4.0

There's nothing I can say that can describe just how bewitching this book was for me. I didn't even have a second thought before I found myself flipping the last page, completely mesmerised and utterly devastated. For someone to yearn for her onni she never could meet, and the sadness that ensued whenever she remembered her. This book really pulled me up from my trance and made me realise just how much we live, even if it's for 2 hours only.

For anyone wondering if they should read it, the book is simply a collection of thoughts spread not even for more than half pages at times. But every page will make you think; the pages will hypnotise you.

betweenbookends's review against another edition

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3.0

The White Book by Han Kang, translated from the Korean by Deborah Smith, is a haunting meditation on the colour white, presented in a series of poetic vignettes. It’s a stunning excavation of grief, silence, the transience of life and the fragility of existence. It’s deeply impactful, multiplied all the more because of the strange times we find ourselves in. I found it profound, searching, philosophical and melancholic.

Note: Though I found it profound whilst reading, it hasn't stayed with me.

madalinacalmuc12's review

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emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

tea_and_naps's review

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Im not sureI understand poetry. I suppose this is a collection about life and the small moments that make us. Maybe? Idk? 

jessrosenthal's review

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emotional reflective relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.75

2.75 stars 
Han Kang is clearly a very talented and thoughtful writer, who used a great concept of utilising colour to talk about her memories.
This is a short book about the grief and troubles Kang has experienced her life and is written very poetically and ambiguously. Whilst I appreciate the writing style I often find it difficult to enjoy books written in the style hence the lower review.

nikwui's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

boysen_bean's review

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reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0