Reviews with content warning for Rape - The Sympathizer

I liked this book, but at times it was hard to get through. I appreciated it greatly for what it was most intended: a reeducation of the Vietnam war, one that I did not live through but always heard about from an American perspective. The darkly comedic tone was good, but the writing was a bit overdone at times.

Trigger warning: the torture scenes are intense.

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jessica_lam's review against another edition

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challenging dark slow-paced

3.25

This was a challenging read, and perhaps because of it, I'm giving it a lower rating than it deserves. It's beautifully written but truly overtook my entire summer in terms of reading. The last fifth, in particular, was tough to get through and left a bitter taste in my mouth.

The main character is an exploration of being stuck between two worlds - being a person of mixed race, working undercover, away from his home country... The book is written entirely from his perspective as an extremely unreliable narrator. Events unfold in largely chronological order, with a detailed scene at the end that, frankly, was not as shocking perhaps for me because, well, I think all women have a very implicit understanding of what happens to women in war. To the point where it felt more gratuitous than impactful.

As much a psychological drama as it is historical fiction, The Sympathizer feels simultaneously like an important read but also empty. Or perhaps it made me feel empty. I'm glad I read it, but I wouldn't consider it a pleasant experience.

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entommoore's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense slow-paced

4.5

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syshore's review against another edition

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This book is very heavy both physically and emotionally. War and resistance are so intertwined with one another that it is a tragedy both must exist and that it is the most vulnerable that experience the repercussions.

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linthemountains's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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samanthasimonsen's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny 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

4.25

I was set to give this 4.75 or 5 stars until the last few chapters. The ultimate take-away is very cool, but also heavy-handed. Otherwise, this book is funny, smart, and thought-provoking. I would read the sequel!

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oban's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.5

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aspiritualmood's review against another edition

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challenging dark informative reflective tense medium-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

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