Reviews

Twenty Fragments of a Ravenous Youth by Xiaolu Guo

hanoibikingtours's review against another edition

emotional reflective relaxing fast-paced

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

4.25

evil_eyebrow's review against another edition

hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

backatthelibrary's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective fast-paced

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

4.25

dembury's review against another edition

4.0

Xiaolu Guo's writing is direct and keen, offering up a vivid portraiture of a young Chinese woman, Fenfang, trying to make her way through life in Beijing in the early 2000s. Fenfang rubberbands back and forth; she goes from wanting to waning, from working in a movie theatre to being an extra in a film, from apartment to apartment as she figures out what to do next.

Although each fragment/chapter may seem sort of random at times, I think each one gives such a startlingly realistic vignette of key moments for Fenfang, some big and dramatic and others quiet and reflective. Sure, there are repetitive scenes, but each one is different in the sense that they illustrate tiny moments of growth and change throughout her life, little steps forwards in a new direction. One of my favorites is the fragment of Fenfang preparing for her new job in an office, setting alarm clocks and worrying about her outfit and trying to figure out the inane office dynamic only to quit the same day and move to the next part of life. It's SUCH an in-your-twenties-with-no-"Big Life Plan" moment and it felt so relatable!

"Twenty Fragments of a Ravenous Youth" is a unique gem of a book that will certainly resonate with the readers who take the time to get to know Fenfang and join her on her journey through a changing China and deeper into adulthood.

emilianordland's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.25

anjsi's review against another edition

funny reflective 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

4.0

wordswithlara's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

bluelilyblue's review against another edition

4.0

Surprisingly relatable? Fenfang is my sister in Marguerite Duras

xanthekm's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

carrotchimera's review

challenging dark emotional funny reflective fast-paced

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

3.0