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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I would call "The Leftover Woman" by Jean Kwok a masterpiece. I am truly stunned and speechless after reading this book.
This was my first book by Jean Kwok, and luckily she has more books, so I can catch up. Lucky me!
"The Leftover Woman" by Jean Kwok is a compelling and intricate novel that delves into the lives of two women, Rebecca and Jasmine, who unexpectedly cross paths. Set in contrasting worlds, the story follows their journeys as they navigate the complexities of their lives.
Rebecca, a resident of bustling New York City, works for a demanding publisher and is happily married to a handsome professor. Despite her successful career, she yearns for a baby, but struggles to find the time amidst her hectic schedule. Her desire for motherhood becomes a central theme, highlighting the challenges faced by modern women who strive to balance their personal and professional lives.
On the other hand, Jasmine resides in a small village in China, where she was married off at a tender age of 14 to a man twelve years her senior. In a society where parents are only allowed to have one child, Jasmine's sole purpose is to bear a son to fulfill her husband's expectations and bring him pride. However, the novel explores the complexities of this expectation, shedding light on the pressures and limitations placed upon women in traditional societies.
The term "leftover woman," which Jasmine occasionally feels, is a concept that may be unfamiliar to some readers. However, it encapsulates the feeling of being unwanted and left behind, akin to being discarded like uneaten food on a table. This notion resonates deeply, highlighting the universal experience of feeling overlooked or undervalued.
Kwok's writing style is both fast-paced and exquisite, capturing the reader's attention from the very beginning. The characters are vividly portrayed, making it easy to visualize their struggles and triumphs. The novel's suspenseful moments are particularly gripping; they caused me to pause and reflect on the intricate web of emotions woven throughout the story. I even said aloud, "Oh my god, did that just happen?"
"The Leftover Woman" is a thought-provoking novel that explores themes of identity, societal expectations, and the pursuit of happiness. Through the lives of Rebecca and Jasmine.
This was my first book by Jean Kwok, and luckily she has more books, so I can catch up. Lucky me!
"The Leftover Woman" by Jean Kwok is a compelling and intricate novel that delves into the lives of two women, Rebecca and Jasmine, who unexpectedly cross paths. Set in contrasting worlds, the story follows their journeys as they navigate the complexities of their lives.
Rebecca, a resident of bustling New York City, works for a demanding publisher and is happily married to a handsome professor. Despite her successful career, she yearns for a baby, but struggles to find the time amidst her hectic schedule. Her desire for motherhood becomes a central theme, highlighting the challenges faced by modern women who strive to balance their personal and professional lives.
On the other hand, Jasmine resides in a small village in China, where she was married off at a tender age of 14 to a man twelve years her senior. In a society where parents are only allowed to have one child, Jasmine's sole purpose is to bear a son to fulfill her husband's expectations and bring him pride. However, the novel explores the complexities of this expectation, shedding light on the pressures and limitations placed upon women in traditional societies.
The term "leftover woman," which Jasmine occasionally feels, is a concept that may be unfamiliar to some readers. However, it encapsulates the feeling of being unwanted and left behind, akin to being discarded like uneaten food on a table. This notion resonates deeply, highlighting the universal experience of feeling overlooked or undervalued.
Kwok's writing style is both fast-paced and exquisite, capturing the reader's attention from the very beginning. The characters are vividly portrayed, making it easy to visualize their struggles and triumphs. The novel's suspenseful moments are particularly gripping; they caused me to pause and reflect on the intricate web of emotions woven throughout the story. I even said aloud, "Oh my god, did that just happen?"
"The Leftover Woman" is a thought-provoking novel that explores themes of identity, societal expectations, and the pursuit of happiness. Through the lives of Rebecca and Jasmine.
I had higher hopes. It was okay, but that's all. It was just okay!
I like reading books that feel like your life has been changed after reading them, and I thought this one would do that to me, but it seemed to fall flat somewhere along the line.
I enjoyed the characters & the plot, but in the end, it just didn't feel 100% realistic, and maybe that's why it didn't work for me.
But I loved the cover!
I like reading books that feel like your life has been changed after reading them, and I thought this one would do that to me, but it seemed to fall flat somewhere along the line.
I enjoyed the characters & the plot, but in the end, it just didn't feel 100% realistic, and maybe that's why it didn't work for me.
But I loved the cover!
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rebecca mastering women in male dominated fields
As a Chinese adoptee and survivor of China’s one child policy, the last chapter quite literally had me sobbing.
This was a really conflicting story to read, which I went into largely expecting. Some moments were really difficult to read, and others heart-warming and reminiscent of my own experiences. Kwon has weaved together an engaging story with the right amount of suspense and drama to keep the reader engaged, while raising the very real and honest complexities of interracial / international adoption.
This was a really conflicting story to read, which I went into largely expecting. Some moments were really difficult to read, and others heart-warming and reminiscent of my own experiences. Kwon has weaved together an engaging story with the right amount of suspense and drama to keep the reader engaged, while raising the very real and honest complexities of interracial / international adoption.
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes