Reviews tagging 'Blood'

The White Book by Han Kang

4 reviews

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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rieviolet's review against another edition

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

5.0

Earlier this year I read Human Acts by the same author and was completely stunnend by it, so I was a bit scared to try
any of her other works, especially because they seemed quite different in style and I feared I would not love them as much. Well, I fretted for nothing really, I was absolutely mesmerized by The White Book

I found the writing style so poetic and evocative. I loved the poetry sections, even as someone who reads very little poetry. 

I was completely absorbed in this sober but at the same time deep and powerful exploration of grief. The final chapter really moved me and I got a bit teary-eyed.

It is a book that I'm surely going to return to.

There are certain memories that remain inviolate to the ravages of time. And to those of suffering. It is not true that everything is colored by time and suffering. It is not true that they bring everything to ruin. 

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pollyflorence's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective relaxing sad fast-paced

4.25


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sirisolh's review against another edition

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hopeful reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Temporary a 3/5, but I'll have to think about it. It's so different from what I expected if honestly a mix of confused and impressed.

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