Reviews with content warning for Animal death - The Old Woman with the Knife

Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

The Old Woman with the Knife by Gu Byeong-mo

19 reviews

bookish_purrsuits's review against another edition

3.0

This book was sold to me as a cozy murder mystery and it definitely is not. There is

animal death

which I wasn't prepared for and always like to know about ahead of time. Overall, I think the book was fine but mostly forgettable (besides

the animal death

Content Warnings

bessadams's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.5

Content Warnings

recorderkfk's review

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

It's a slow burn this book - ans all the better for it. Western adaptions of this trope, the old lady assassin have focused more on the assassin part, and less on the old lady. The brilliance of this book is it's elderly protagonist her reflections on life and Byeong-Mo's poignant reflections and comments on aging and society and relationships.

Content Warnings

isobelthefrog's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark sad tense medium-paced

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

Content Warnings

lauraportalupi's review

Go to review page

dark sad

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Storylines seemed disjointed and unfinished; not sure if this is an intentional stylistic choice.

Content Warnings

james1star's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

3.5

Overall, this was an intriguing fast paced read and one I would generally recommend. We follow an ageing sixty-five year old assassin - or ‘disease control operative’ - Hornclaw who lives with her rescue dog Deadweight and approaching the end of her working life. But it’s difficult for an assassin because in some ways killing is like her fix but clearly the boss and a fellow operative Bullfight want her to retire. Hornclaw was very skilled in her prime but makes a slip up causing her to seek medical treatment which leads her to (dare I say adorable, I don’t know what it was but he just was the cutest ever I can’t) Dr Kang and his family. As the story develops it comes to light someone is trying to sabotage her hits and possibly out to get her too… but who? And why? There are also flashback-like parts to Hornclaw’s past as well as other characters too.

I think the story was good and has an engaging plot, I wasn’t exactly gripped compared to some thriller-type books I’ve read before but still intrigued. It’s quick and fast paced and listening to the audiobook was a good way to take the story in I’d say too. I did like how Byeong-mo makes commentary on how Korean society views the elderly/ageing population with particular remarks about the workforce and retirement. Bullfight’s character loves to wind up Hornclaw and this is a little entertaining but does get repetitive and jarring after a while and you just want to be like ‘OMFG just shut up already’ but Yhh. Most of the plot and events were alright, some bits were quite unrealistic though in all honestly but on the whole things fitted in place well. I personally didn’t like the ending as it seemed there were a few loose ends that I would have preferred been tied up. The narration was again okay but I dunno I found her voice a little annoying but that’s just me and nothing to do with the story.

Side note: I think (but am not certain) that there was a non-binary/gender nonconforming character in ‘Worry Fixer’ as I believe the only pronoun used is ‘they’ so yh, this was a great addition to see.

Content Warnings