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mmorice's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Child death, War, Body horror, Colonisation, Genocide, Physical abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Police brutality, Rape, Torture, Sexual violence, and Racism
banannabaker's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
However, overall I did not enjoy reading it.
The cover and the blurb are misleading - describing a story about the haenyeo of Jeju and female friendship. The book is about those things, but also (and increasingly so as it progresses) about the very worst things humankind are capable of. Some parts are the kind of horrifying that makes your bones cold, and other parts are so sad it's hard to shake the scenes off when you put the book down. I read this on holiday and was relieved and exhausted when I finished it.
Graphic: Grief, Mass/school shootings, Colonisation, Genocide, and Child death
Moderate: Police brutality, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Alcoholism, Murder, Physical abuse, and Torture
kimberlynpeterson50's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Police brutality, Rape, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Colonisation, Death, Domestic abuse, and Genocide
emmyreads03's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Gore, Genocide, Suicide, Grief, Violence, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Hate crime, Police brutality, Torture, Death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Blood, Mass/school shootings, Physical abuse, and War
avsharp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The actions of some of the characters were understandable, even if not relatable, and the bitter resolution left me feeling quite reflective and sombre about the generations of civilians - and especially women - caught up and senselessly set against each other in conflict after conflict. A tale that looks back at the trauma echoing from past events, but no doubt carries much relevance today.
Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, War, Torture, Police brutality, Sexual assault, and Violence
nvciel's review against another edition
- 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
1.0
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Police brutality, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Rape
markcollison's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
Graphic: Body horror and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Child death, Domestic abuse, Police brutality, War, and Xenophobia
raybudbury's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This one was fine. I got a little emotional by the end as it’s about friendships and forgiveness (or lack thereof) spanning decades though I don’t know much about Jeju Island / much of Korea’s history the writing felt well-researched. I feel like I learned a lot from this book actually. The haenyeo diving and matriarchal culture and the massacre that took place on the island were new information to me.
The beginning was slow for me personally but started picking up rapidly as the chapters (years) passed. Highly rec if you are looking for historical fiction related to Korea.
Graphic: Child death, Murder, Rape, War, Police brutality, and Domestic abuse
epruta's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Violence, War, Child death, Child abuse, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Murder, and Police brutality
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Domestic abuse, Grief, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual harassment, and Pregnancy
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Suicide
katyps78's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Vomit, Rape, Physical abuse, Murder, Racism, War, Violence, Sexual violence, and Police brutality
Moderate: Child abuse, Genocide, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship