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angola's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
chigwellreader's review against another edition
Book initially drew me in with fast pace but did not live up to its promise in the next chapter
charcharbiddle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
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
A heartbreaking story set over 100 years in North and South Korea. Lady writing an obituary of a a North Korean slave/spy/murderer/terrorist/mother. The first and last chapter were set in the South Korean nursing home, the middle felt like lots of short stories. Wish there was more of the obituarist peppered through the book
isabelrsg's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
annrhub's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
4.25
anditsreal's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Beautifully heart wrenching. Confusing at times, as I understand the chapters used to exist as separate short stories and you can feel the disjoint. It also didn't need the biographer story as a wrapper.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Terminal illness, Violence, Slavery, Suicide, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Trafficking
jenniferlynnkrohn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
claire_p's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
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? No
3.0
Read as longlisted for the Womens Prize for Fiction 2024. A reflective journey of survival set within North Korea. Instantly gripped by the inital premise of the book, a retelling of a women's life as she nears the age of 100. However the long chapters nearing the end of the book and little resolution and exploration of the ending lessened my enjoyment of the overall novel.
rwims's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
4.75
Brilliant read enjoyed the 8 lives so different yet connected. Thought provoking can’t put down read
emilyreadsitall's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.0