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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book didn’t fail in execution absolutely, but it also didn’t succeed in it. The potential was there, but in the book’s own words “Too self-referential, that was the other problem with it”.
I’m also not a fan of how language learning and linguistics is portrayed in this. The narrator is a bit of a pick-me linguist. And although the book touches on language and culture as part of identity it never goes beyond the surface-level observations.
Overall a frustrating read.
I’m also not a fan of how language learning and linguistics is portrayed in this. The narrator is a bit of a pick-me linguist. And although the book touches on language and culture as part of identity it never goes beyond the surface-level observations.
Overall a frustrating read.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Really loved the first half of this book, dropped the ball a bit for me on the second half. There's a lot of social commentary, which I didn't mind. I enjoyed the humor I found throughout the book, despite the intensity of the subject matter
3.75 Rounding up. Really enjoyed the conceit of this novel. Imagine a place where you could learn an entire language (including the nuances of culture and history) in under two weeks. The main character comes from a privileged background and often lacks awareness of her privilege and her "othering" of those around her. Classic unlikeable MC. Unfortunately for me, past the reveal/plot twist, the story fell flat and then abruptly ended. I needed some more resolution, some more intrigue some more... anything. An enjoyable short novel from a promising new voice in fiction!
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The big reveal was not as complex or sinister as I thought it was going to be, but I did like the ambiguous ending.