Reviews

Bestiary by K-Ming Chang

jenmarta's review against another edition

dark tense slow-paced

2.0

janeaustentatious2's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

lucita_knjige's review against another edition

1.0

DNF at page 107.
I love weird books but this is too weird for me. Quite hard to follow, the prose is... Different to say the least. Thematically it's intriguing but just so so weird.

nicolembradbury's review against another edition

4.0

Hands down the weirdest thing I have ever read in the best way. Chang really goes “there”. If something is gross, it is described in the most minute details, and if something is erotic, Chang unravels the thoughts I would argue many have but are too afraid to admit. A beautifully abstract and super queer story that left me feeling so full.

cariii's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

mabel60510's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

3.25

teacrew's review against another edition

challenging medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.75

I think I liked it? I truly don't know if I understood it. A wild roller coaster. Would love to hear from the authors POV

moshalala's review against another edition

challenging medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

josie_wu's review against another edition

4.0

3.5-4 stars. I've picked up and set down this book several times, but I finally decided to start it seriously last week. It's hard for me to gather my thoughts about this book. Chang is one of my favorite writers; her style is gripping, surreal, and grotesque. I grew to love her after following her poetry and flash fiction work. Her foray into the novel territory is certainly ambitious and unlike any book that I've ever read before. It does make me wonder if this style is unsustainable to the longer form; each voice sounded the same regardless of how it flitted between characters. The infrequent dialogue and constant flashbacks/stories within the story slowed the beginning's momentum. However, this novel is a magical, violent, ugly look at the way migration impacts motherhood across generations. It's a story about motherhood and mothering, storytelling and mythology. I'm excited to read more of Chang's writing.

mengzhenreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I am not smart enough to fully understand this book but I still ate it up.