Scan barcode
erika023's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It feels like a dream but also has nice little messages about dreams, revolutions, and idealism. It also has history woven in since this story is based on real people it seems
cherrie_bluhd's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book and think I got something genuinely valuable from reading it, but the portrayal of sexual violence against women and children tainted some of its value for me. This was especially frustrating because the women in the book are complex and interesting. They have often experienced sexual violence (as is realistic, especially in times of power transitions) and are impacted by this experience, but not necessarily defined by it. I felt somewhat recognized and empathetically seen in some of these portions of the book. But the book wavers too much between portraying the lives of women and the experience of sexual violence as being an all too commonplace atrocity and deeming scenes of sexual assault and pedophilia as some simply inevitable, unavoidable "deviancy" that can be laughed off as the actions of the misguided, lost people that populate the book.
These parts were difficult to read because I think something of value actually *was* being said through the presence of sexual violence in the book. The hypocrisy of many so-called leftist revolutionaries who turn around and violate women and children, and the way in which various people take up the mantle of revolutionary politics only to use it to exert power over others is worth exploring, and I think was explored well. I also didn't hate the somewhat bemused, light-heartedly bitter tone of the book. I, too, think people often ridiculously, stoically, carry out the exact mistakes of those that came before them. Still, I was disappointed with the neutrality of the book, seeming to condemn everyone in the book equally, in searching for something unattainable, while missing the uniquely horrific hurt caused by perpetrators of sexual violence. The book sank back a little too far in comfortable neutrality and missed the mark on what could have been a bit more nuanced portrayal of human mistakes and the difficult attempt to cultivate 'progress' which is not always clear.
These parts were difficult to read because I think something of value actually *was* being said through the presence of sexual violence in the book. The hypocrisy of many so-called leftist revolutionaries who turn around and violate women and children, and the way in which various people take up the mantle of revolutionary politics only to use it to exert power over others is worth exploring, and I think was explored well. I also didn't hate the somewhat bemused, light-heartedly bitter tone of the book. I, too, think people often ridiculously, stoically, carry out the exact mistakes of those that came before them. Still, I was disappointed with the neutrality of the book, seeming to condemn everyone in the book equally, in searching for something unattainable, while missing the uniquely horrific hurt caused by perpetrators of sexual violence. The book sank back a little too far in comfortable neutrality and missed the mark on what could have been a bit more nuanced portrayal of human mistakes and the difficult attempt to cultivate 'progress' which is not always clear.
nichetea's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
davreads's review against another edition
informative
sad
tense
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
3.5
sam_bizar_wilcox's review against another edition
4.0
This is a weird one!
The book ostensibly follows the various adventures in a young woman's life after her father goes mad in an early 20th century Chinese town. Ge Fei's writing is breezy and dazzling, and the book is incredibly fast-paced, introducing mysterious figures who show up in town out of the blue, valuable artifacts, espionage, etc. The scope is so broad it's hard to succinctly discuss the book, or provide a basic summary (as some reviewers, but often not me) want to do. What stands out more than the plot, however, is the commentary on feminity, politics, labor, and inheritance. The subtext isn't overdone, and what Ge Fei wants to say isn't always clear, but in a refreshing way. Here is an author who trusts his readers to understand his novel. And I will admit, too, that a lot of it went past me: his work comes with cultural and literary references that I didn't know. But this novel was so beautifully written and interesting that imagine more wise readers will have an even better reading experience.
The book ostensibly follows the various adventures in a young woman's life after her father goes mad in an early 20th century Chinese town. Ge Fei's writing is breezy and dazzling, and the book is incredibly fast-paced, introducing mysterious figures who show up in town out of the blue, valuable artifacts, espionage, etc. The scope is so broad it's hard to succinctly discuss the book, or provide a basic summary (as some reviewers, but often not me) want to do. What stands out more than the plot, however, is the commentary on feminity, politics, labor, and inheritance. The subtext isn't overdone, and what Ge Fei wants to say isn't always clear, but in a refreshing way. Here is an author who trusts his readers to understand his novel. And I will admit, too, that a lot of it went past me: his work comes with cultural and literary references that I didn't know. But this novel was so beautifully written and interesting that imagine more wise readers will have an even better reading experience.
nelboyle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Bought and immediately read on spring break with hawk. narrative was fascinating, as it proposes questions for the reader through the eyes of a child and answers then later. Made me want to read more carefully. A fantastic story that makes you think about the past as well as this moment and your envolvement in it. Especially post roevwade.
dariuskay's review against another edition
5.0
There are several potent themes in this book, but rape & dealing with sexual trauma (and societal expectations for victims) is quite prominent, especially in select sections. Other key themes— utopia, revolution, tradition, poetry.
mouhy's review against another edition
4.0
This is a really tough one to rate. It took me a long time to finish, at times it felt like it was 800 pages long and that I'll never get to the end. It's in no way a reflection on the novel itself because I thoroughly enjoyed it for the most part. I was probably gonna go through this prolonged rut and it just happened that this was going to be the book that will be blamed for it. Oh well, hopefully I'm back on track for this year.
On a side note, I really loved both of the Ge Fei books I've read so far, but this one couldn't be more different than The Invisibility Cloak. I do think I will read the rest of the Jiangnan trilogy if and when it becomes available in English.
On a side note, I really loved both of the Ge Fei books I've read so far, but this one couldn't be more different than The Invisibility Cloak. I do think I will read the rest of the Jiangnan trilogy if and when it becomes available in English.
greatlibraryofalexandra's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I wavered between 4 and 5 on this one, because at times I did find it difficult to follow, but the overall effect is so phenomenal - I closed it, swearing softly, at how alluring and arresting the final few scenes were.
It's really a stunning piece of literature that, in very trippy ways, reminded me of "Pachinko" and... "Foundation"? It also teased me with "Goldfinch" and "Lolita" vibes, but was a story all its own, set in a very volatile, transient time. It focuses on a part of Chinese history I am entirely unfamiliar with, but the English translation is gripping, poetic, and appealing. I found the allusions to classic Chinese literature fairly easy to follow only, I think, because I have read Melissa Fu's "Peach Blossom Spring," and thus was familiar with the motif.
Xiuimi's story is brutal, and the intrigue and hardship that's woven in is at once gritty and realistic, yet somehow fantastical and threaded with mysticism and magic in a figurative sense. I preferred the focus on Xiuimi rather than the later transition to the focus on Tiger's (male) POV, but the continuous commentary on revolution, what it means, and what it can cost, was consistently interesting, and macabre as it is, where this book really shines is its naked and grotesuqe focus on deaths, and death scenes.
Gorgeous, gorgeous read, and I love that it's the first physical book I've finished in China - I'll definitely read more from Gei Fei, if I can find the rare novels that have been translated into English so far.
It's really a stunning piece of literature that, in very trippy ways, reminded me of "Pachinko" and... "Foundation"? It also teased me with "Goldfinch" and "Lolita" vibes, but was a story all its own, set in a very volatile, transient time. It focuses on a part of Chinese history I am entirely unfamiliar with, but the English translation is gripping, poetic, and appealing. I found the allusions to classic Chinese literature fairly easy to follow only, I think, because I have read Melissa Fu's "Peach Blossom Spring," and thus was familiar with the motif.
Xiuimi's story is brutal, and the intrigue and hardship that's woven in is at once gritty and realistic, yet somehow fantastical and threaded with mysticism and magic in a figurative sense. I preferred the focus on Xiuimi rather than the later transition to the focus on Tiger's (male) POV, but the continuous commentary on revolution, what it means, and what it can cost, was consistently interesting, and macabre as it is, where this book really shines is its naked and grotesuqe focus on deaths, and death scenes.
Gorgeous, gorgeous read, and I love that it's the first physical book I've finished in China - I'll definitely read more from Gei Fei, if I can find the rare novels that have been translated into English so far.
cleverfoxwithcoffee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75