Reviews

The Impossible Fairy Tale by Han Yujoo

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wesleysbookshelf's review

2.0

There is much to be said about this book and many reasons to love it. Those reasons might be found out by other readers. I, for one, could not wrap my head around a thing or two. The first part of the novel moves in a wonderfully morbid way. The blindness of children spoiled by parents and the silent screams of those who have no luck in matters of life are put across in the simplest of ways. The creepiness, bloodlust, and the strange games that children come up with to pass their time form a strange background to the unfolding story of Mia and the Child. But the second half of the book had me going, “WTF”. Not in a good way. I breezed through the first half. The second half takes on a whole different tone - going on and on about the writer’s responsibility towards the characters she creates and what to do when the characters show up to her doorstep. It becomes needlessly surreal, moving from dream to meditation to reality with disorienting speed. I did not find a lot to love about it. God knows I tried.

cat_thecatlady's review

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4.0

trigger warning: physical abuse, violence, abuse towards animals, death

this is a rather unconventional book, and its cruel, violent and surreal world won’t please everyone. personally, I really loved it. the first part absolutely stood out to me. the writing style is quite exquisite and the way the story alternates between the two characters (and the duality of their two lives) is so interesting to read. the second part didn’t seem as well accomplished to me. it was a bit overwhelming in its repetition and form, and maybe too meta.

overall, one very good book and one hell of a good example of translation.

kurtodrome's review

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challenging mysterious reflective

5.0

jules_vp's review

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dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.25

soda_fizz's review

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2.0

1.5

thishannah's review

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Strange and confusing, in a good way (I think). The use of wordplay, rhyme, and sound was very inventive, and it amazes me that the translator was able to convey so much in a language that is so different from the original. It reminded me a bit of Gertrude Stein in parts.