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allisonrae13's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
3.25
hitch's review against another edition
mysterious
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
3.0
sllau's review against another edition
2.5
Had trouble getting into it and picking it back up. It explored conflict and self identity and turmoil well
thursdd4y's review against another edition
5.0
Wow wow wow wow - this book I really feel deserves 5 stars. The characters were all well formed, the narrative believable, and the ending is so painfully realistic that it’s sobering. I really enjoyed the dual narrative and the varying timescales.
I don’t want to share spoilers but I will just say that Min and Yu-Jin’s characterisations are well crafted. As a woman, I resonated with Yu-Jin and the pressures she faced. I could understand her rigidity and tunnel vision, and her performative nature made sense to me. However, Min’s struggle over a dual identity resonated with me most - not belonging to either ‘side’ fully, because you’re still one half ‘something else’. Being half Turkish in Britain was a challenge growing up, as I was completely detached from my Turkish heritage, yet simultaneously targeted by British people for my Turkish maiden name and being labelled as ‘other’ because of it. I felt alienated from both sides, so this is something I massively appreciated from Min’s narrative.
As a criticism, I didn’t massively understand the ending for So-ra. It just didn’t quite add up or make sense for me. I also really hate reading ‘committed suicide’ - ‘died by suicide’ is the preferred term. But I’ll admit that this terminology is what is probably used in South Korea, so it’s okay.
I don’t want to share spoilers but I will just say that Min and Yu-Jin’s characterisations are well crafted. As a woman, I resonated with Yu-Jin and the pressures she faced. I could understand her rigidity and tunnel vision, and her performative nature made sense to me. However, Min’s struggle over a dual identity resonated with me most - not belonging to either ‘side’ fully, because you’re still one half ‘something else’. Being half Turkish in Britain was a challenge growing up, as I was completely detached from my Turkish heritage, yet simultaneously targeted by British people for my Turkish maiden name and being labelled as ‘other’ because of it. I felt alienated from both sides, so this is something I massively appreciated from Min’s narrative.
As a criticism, I didn’t massively understand the ending for So-ra. It just didn’t quite add up or make sense for me. I also really hate reading ‘committed suicide’ - ‘died by suicide’ is the preferred term. But I’ll admit that this terminology is what is probably used in South Korea, so it’s okay.
beryllina's review
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.5
hope4644's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
sarahmchale's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
4.5
This book is told in alternating chapters by a couple, and the narration reveals how little they knew each other. Quite sad but very well-written and fun to read.
Graphic: Suicide
tsholanang's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
shamelessbibliophile41's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written and deeply sad book about the interconnected stories of a young Korean woman and a Korean-American man living in Seoul, and the aftermath and events leading up to the young woman’s untimely death. Has a lot to say about feeling like an other and the demands of family and culture. Well worth reading.
amandalydon's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0