Reviews tagging 'Child death'

The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

21 reviews

thewordsdevourer's review

dark funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

it's extraordinary that this is nguyen's first novel, for the sympathizer is a blistering tale that examines dual worlds and perspectives, while also being a memorable story about friendship, all helmed by an unforgettable narrative voice.

tbh i dont feel qualified to critique this book, for it's obvious that its story, construction, ideas, and author operate on a higher plane entirely. i cant offer sh!t to it, only it to me, and boy it certainly does. what truly distinguishes the novel is its incisive dissection of identity and politics, as well as its ability to read america - w/ its contradictions, hypocrisy, iniquitous superiority - to absolute filth. i literally lost count of the quotes i like, so unstoppably the book barrels on from one thing to another, giving voice to truths most american readers harbor only in their subconscious or are overly accustomed to as to now be oblivious to them. 

aside from its themes and msgs, the story also stands well on its own. im surprised by how touching the self-labeled three musketeers' friendship is, and i cant rmb the last time male friendship moves me this much, this one bc of its devotion and mental sacrifice. my fav thing abt this book, however, def has got to be the unnamed narrator's voice, so genuinely funny yet oft dark. the way he says, describes, compares things are simply humorous, while also offering a deeper look into his character. it might not be a LOL kinda humor, but it's endlessly snort- and chuckle-inducing for sure, which is quite a feat in such a dark novel.

this novel isnt for those averse to serious subject matter, and some are advised to stay far away bc it can veer into macabre territory very quickly esp towards the end. but for those who can stomach the aforementioned, the book will reward u w/ a thought-provoking and truth-spilling story told thru an oft humorous and equally melancholic voice.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Racism, Sexual violence, Body horror, Rape, Violence, Death, Torture, Murder, Colonisation, and Confinement

Moderate: Pedophilia, Injury/Injury detail, Adult/minor relationship, Gore, Gun violence, Bullying, Racial slurs, Child death, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

Minor: Suicide attempt and Death of parent

luciuh's review

challenging dark slow-paced

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

4.0

this is a good ass book. read it for school and wrote an essay, and it is so good. it is very heavily loaded and takes a second to read but it’s totally worth it. it’s very blunt to the point where the satire becomes too real (but still very enjoyable), and is a very interesting exploration of the dynamics between the vietnamese and the american. it is a very unique story regarding the vietnam war, nice

 i  think it’s necessary to mention that you should def check trigger warnings especially for the last chunk of the book, especially for the rape scene.

edit:  it’s interesting because it’s more on the aftermath of the vietnam war from the perspective of someone not quite vietnamese but also certainly not american

edit again: forgot to mention, it is so sexist.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Child death, Death, Murder, Racism, and Misogyny

Moderate: Racial slurs, Death of parent, and Alcoholism

theunderstatement's review

challenging dark funny informative sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, and Rape

Moderate: Child death

geilie's review against another edition

challenging funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Confinement, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Murder, War, and Child death

kimmiereadsalot's review against another edition

challenging dark informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

So wow. What a ride. I sympathize with the Sympathizer. This story is really something. Way outside my normal genre. But I’m so glad I read it. It’s very cerebral but also written for the every man. 

The last third was really hard for me to listen to. I’m still glad I did. I really do think this is a great read. And worth reading. The way the author never stop playing on the duality of the narrator’s situation—superb. 

Highly recommend.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Rape, and Murder

Moderate: Death

Minor: Body shaming and Child death

kshertz's review

adventurous challenging dark tense slow-paced

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

3.5

The writing is beautiful which is to say, way above my reading/intelligence level. But at the end it does say it’s not for the dominant white groups so that makes sense. It’s not for me. It’s not linear, there’s no way a book about the Vietnam war is going to have a happy ending. But I learned a lot, which is the whole reason to read it and it challenged me. So, I recommend it if you want to be challenged and learn a lot. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Child death, War, Xenophobia, Violence, Torture, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Gore, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Confinement, and Colonisation

alexhaydon's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Rape, Gun violence, Body horror, Gore, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Racial slurs, Racism, Police brutality, Mass/school shootings, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, and Child death

ning_aling's review

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

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

4.0

A book that was absorbing to say the least, the main character's voice is really strong and the struggles that he faces within himself and with his environment and the people around him are incredibly compelling. It has some very dark scenes, as can be expected with a reflection of the brutality of the Vietnam War on the population. Really has all the makings of a modern classic, which looks at the absurdity of fate and the constant process of reinvention. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Torture, Murder, Death, Child death, and War

Moderate: Racism, Cultural appropriation, Excrement, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail

ainereads's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, and Violence

Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, Child death, and Racism

emgulph's review

challenging dark tense slow-paced

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

4.5

Don't get me wrong, I loved this book. It was a stunning visual into the intricacies of the Vietnam war, with a refreshing focus on the crimes of all the powers involved, not taking sides. The refuges and victims of the Vietnam War are allowed to be both angry with their so-called American saviors and with their home country in disrepair.

That being said, much of the content in this work is shocking and not for the faint of heart. It's a book about war. Fresh out of finishing this, I'm sure there are content warnings I forgot to list below. There were many moments where I needed to pause and catch my breath.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, and Animal cruelty

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Mental illness, and Xenophobia

Minor: Homophobia and Sexual content