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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
An interesting telling of Chungpa Han, a Korean migrant (refugee?) who has to navigate building a life in America - and contend with capitalism, racism, and all the other isms.
Chungpa is at times naive and taken advantage of - especially when he's trying to earn a living, at times stubbornly focused on Korean cultural norms - especially as it relates to poetry and calligraphy and education, and at times so earnest in his pursuit of the American dream - and his definition of success with that dream. It was interesting to reflect on how that immigrant experience has changed (or stayed the same) in the decades since.
This is a book club book - I think I'll enjoy talking about it as much or more than directly reading it. (Or listening - the audiobook adds a level of oopmf since this is a first person narrative. I wonder how much of the story was influenced by the author's life.)
Chungpa is at times naive and taken advantage of - especially when he's trying to earn a living, at times stubbornly focused on Korean cultural norms - especially as it relates to poetry and calligraphy and education, and at times so earnest in his pursuit of the American dream - and his definition of success with that dream. It was interesting to reflect on how that immigrant experience has changed (or stayed the same) in the decades since.
This is a book club book - I think I'll enjoy talking about it as much or more than directly reading it. (Or listening - the audiobook adds a level of oopmf since this is a first person narrative. I wonder how much of the story was influenced by the author's life.)
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I read an old version of this book from 1937, so I am not sure if my copy was missing a part. My copy is either missing that part or it was numbered incorrectly. We went from losing contract to Trip in the end of book 2 to saying that he became a vagabond in book 4. Was there something in between?
I borrowed a new version of the book. As it turns out, the parts were mis-numbered in the earlier version. Now I get to read the Foreword and Afterword!
It's a remarkable novel. The ending is amazing. I will say more once I feel comfortable that I have actually read the entire thing.
I borrowed a new version of the book. As it turns out, the parts were mis-numbered in the earlier version. Now I get to read the Foreword and Afterword!
It's a remarkable novel. The ending is amazing. I will say more once I feel comfortable that I have actually read the entire thing.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
Super interesting afterword, talked about intent vs reception of the book.
its a long and tedious read. i understand the importance of this book but god im exhausted.
knowing what i know about Kang and the struggles he has had in publishing this book i understand but the descriptions r tedious and flowery
knowing what i know about Kang and the struggles he has had in publishing this book i understand but the descriptions r tedious and flowery
DNF at 21%
An interesting glimpse into the birth of Korean American literature and sprinkled with occasional lines of beautiful prose. I stopped reading at about 21%, but I hope to finish it in the future!
An interesting glimpse into the birth of Korean American literature and sprinkled with occasional lines of beautiful prose. I stopped reading at about 21%, but I hope to finish it in the future!