Reviews tagging 'Death'

The White Book by Han Kang

21 reviews

snowysreads's review

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slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated

5.0

HOLY SHIRTBALLS! this book is incredible!! 

this book is a hauntingly, compelling exploration of grief, loss, and the power of memory. the narrative is almost lyrical and meditative which allows us to navigate the landscapes of south korea and dives into the depths of the human psyche. 

of course, one main point of this book is WHITE. kang manages to explore symbolism ranging from innocence, purity, mourning, and absence. the prose is poetic and very accessible. 

this book leaves a lasting impression, allowing readers to contemplate white objects and our own moments in our lives.

it's a slow-paced book, focusing on diverse, complicated characters. however, it's also a rollercoaster of emotions; from sorrow and pain to moments of beauty and redemption. there is a real sense of humanity and it resonates with us throughout the entire book.

i will say that you SHOULD read this book but be aware that you will spend a great deal after contemplating every. single. thing from your life. completely worth it though

can't wait to read more from kang.

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spec_tacles's review

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-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

4.25

This was a beautiful, lyrical exploration of grief, mourning, and the way that colour as a symbol can help us make sense of the world. Of the handful of books centering on colour that I’ve read, I think The White Book does this best. 

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tangerinejellies's review

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reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25


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gesalauren's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-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? Yes

4.75


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martinaib's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

4.5

Lyrical recuperation 

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sunflowerwork's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A

5.0


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mathearype's review

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emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? No

5.0

I finished this really quickly in one sitting. The reason I gave this 5 stars is because it simply made me cry. In my opinion, everything that makes you cry is a 5star. If it awokes feelings, it has done its job. 

I live in Northern Europe and I could really relate to the long winter nights she spoke about. The despair and loneliness I feel was very much reflected through this book. 
My favourite part had to be «언니», since it made me cry.

The novel evidently defies genre and due to its unusual structure, it challenges you to think and make sense of what she really is telling you. To me, it felt like walking through an art gallery. Going through it piece by piece and part by part, not missing any corners. In the sense of feeling trapped in a room and being forced to face new and difficult perspectives and emotions. 

Side note: I really love how Han Kang reflects on what it means to be human beings and what connects us to the world as individuals. What do we bring that is different and new? And what is really the point in living? She is definitely one of my favorite writers at this point. 

"Black. writing. through. white. paper" (essentially the entire book)


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m4rtt4's review against another edition

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

4.5

Beautiful.
For me, white has always been one of my least favourite colours, one I've considered dull, empty, sterile and soulless. This book not only made me see white, but also hear and taste it — it was so vivid, as it deserves to be. Because after all, if you add up all the colours — the visible wavelengths of light — you get white.

This book made me feel so many things, it submerged me in melancholy and made me yearn for things I already have (been taking for granted) and as I look outside to the soft fall of February snow, I can't quite see it the same as I used to.

For someone who's lived her entire life in Northern Europe, the endlessly dark winters and heaps of snow are so mundane that Kang's protagonist being in awe of them really took me aback. The winters can be (and will be) depressing, yet they also are a home — something to be appreciated, to be missed — and miss them I would, were I ever to set my foot on a foreign soil.

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taleofclockworks's review

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

3.5


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kianga_black's review

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

4.25


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