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mugglemom's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent storytelling! The English translation is superior. The sprinkling of woo-woo was a bit different but by the end of the story, it was just a delivery method.
The best advice is to get the audiobook with full cast narrators. They nailed the cadence and provided exceptional context. I got the free ebook from Amazon but I am so glad I purchased the accompanying audiobook.
I got emotionally invested with every single character especially Ah Yan/Swallow/Stella/Wendy and the ending was as satisfying as it should have been. Nobody gets out unscathed in the story or in the real life - FACT! The historical aspects were grisly and accurate, and that alone was worth the hours spent listening to the audiobook. The author created a realistic atmosphere throughout the novel and I loathed any interruptions and finished the book as fast as I could.
Definitely recommend.
The best advice is to get the audiobook with full cast narrators. They nailed the cadence and provided exceptional context. I got the free ebook from Amazon but I am so glad I purchased the accompanying audiobook.
I got emotionally invested with every single character especially Ah Yan/Swallow/Stella/Wendy and the ending was as satisfying as it should have been. Nobody gets out unscathed in the story or in the real life - FACT! The historical aspects were grisly and accurate, and that alone was worth the hours spent listening to the audiobook. The author created a realistic atmosphere throughout the novel and I loathed any interruptions and finished the book as fast as I could.
Definitely recommend.
gooders's review against another edition
4.0
This book has taken me almost two weeks to read! I’m generally a quick reader, but my kindle kept telling me that the chapters were 40 minutes long! So I could usually only read a chapter a night, sometimes not even that!
A Single Swallow is set during the Anti-Japanese War (WWII - what a shock, I am a bit obsessed). The story is told by three ghosts. The ghosts were once men, all involved in the war, and who, after war was declared to be over, celebrated together and made a pact to return to the same place on the same date every year once they were dead, as they knew they’d never see each other again after that night.
They each explain what happened in their life, with the central person for each of them being Ah Yan, translated as Swallow. She is known by a different name to each man.
Their lives tell the story of her life. The horror and trauma, alongside the hope and love.
An interesting story, with a factual backdrop.
I debated between 3 or 4 stars for this for two main reasons.
1. A story told by ghosts is not really my cup of tea.
2. One entire chapter is two ghosts dogs talking to each other.
A Single Swallow is set during the Anti-Japanese War (WWII - what a shock, I am a bit obsessed). The story is told by three ghosts. The ghosts were once men, all involved in the war, and who, after war was declared to be over, celebrated together and made a pact to return to the same place on the same date every year once they were dead, as they knew they’d never see each other again after that night.
They each explain what happened in their life, with the central person for each of them being Ah Yan, translated as Swallow. She is known by a different name to each man.
Their lives tell the story of her life. The horror and trauma, alongside the hope and love.
An interesting story, with a factual backdrop.
I debated between 3 or 4 stars for this for two main reasons.
1. A story told by ghosts is not really my cup of tea.
2. One entire chapter is two ghosts dogs talking to each other.
jess_84's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very well told, fascinating story about the effect of war on people and on love. I liked the characters and the way the story is told. It was a heartbreaking but also showed the redemption or other side of war and perseverance. Although a few parts felt a little repetitive and there were a few slow parts, I really liked this one!
bags_and_bookz's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you Netgalley, Amazon Crossing and Zhang Ling for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.
This is a story of a young Chinese girl through the eyes of three men who loved her. Three men - Pastor Billy, brash gunner’s mate Ian Ferguson, and local soldier Liu Zhaohu - agreed that their souls would meet in a Chinese village of their youth each year on the anniversary of the Japanese emperor surrender in 1945 after death. Seventy years later, the pledge is fulfilled and they exchange stories about the girl.
I found approach to tell her story through men eyes very interesting. The story line is not linear which gives the novel a special charm. I think all main characters are well developed throughout the story. The only thing I wished for is the girl’s, Swallow, perspective on the events of her life. I wish I could see deeper into her own story without middlemen.
This is a story of a young Chinese girl through the eyes of three men who loved her. Three men - Pastor Billy, brash gunner’s mate Ian Ferguson, and local soldier Liu Zhaohu - agreed that their souls would meet in a Chinese village of their youth each year on the anniversary of the Japanese emperor surrender in 1945 after death. Seventy years later, the pledge is fulfilled and they exchange stories about the girl.
I found approach to tell her story through men eyes very interesting. The story line is not linear which gives the novel a special charm. I think all main characters are well developed throughout the story. The only thing I wished for is the girl’s, Swallow, perspective on the events of her life. I wish I could see deeper into her own story without middlemen.
applepie10's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Ugh. This book is promising but I had a hard time slogging through it. Interesting concept but I got so tired of the three male protagonists. They were so selfish and I just didn't like this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Rape
oritayy's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
2.75
This is the story of a girl told through three different men in her life, each with their own important role. She has little control over life, even her name, because each man has his own for her.
The good:
The plot was very original and the characters were complex. Its interesting enough to keep me entertained.
The bad:
I wish the girl was older, her young age makes certain plot points very icky. I also hate the long descriptive essays that last for pages and found myself skimming at times.
The good:
The plot was very original and the characters were complex. Its interesting enough to keep me entertained.
The bad:
I wish the girl was older, her young age makes certain plot points very icky. I also hate the long descriptive essays that last for pages and found myself skimming at times.