Reviews tagging 'Vomit'

Vijf levens by Jenny Tinghui Zhang

12 reviews

jayisreading's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad medium-paced

4.5

This was a great debut novel from Jenny Tinghui Zhang, who takes the reader to the time when the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed in the late 1800s and draws attention to a Chinese girl’s arduous journey from being kidnapped in China then smuggled into the United States (first landing in San Francisco then ending up in Idaho). A lot of careful research clearly went into this novel, and I found that it was as informative as it was imaginative; I thought that Zhang found a great balance between providing historical facts while also taking creative liberties to tell a compelling story (particularly in her handling of incorporating Chinese folklore). Furthermore, this novel was by no means an easy read, and the protagonist, Daiyu, suffers quite a bit. I’d highly recommend checking the content warnings for this novel before picking it up, especially considering that Zhang doesn’t shy away from sharing the grim realities of Chinese people during this time period (especially towards the end).

I enjoyed the author’s writing style, which was lyrical but also not to the point that she was dipping into purple prose. (In some ways, the writing style read as more “grounded,” for lack of a better word, than C Pam Zhang’s How Much of These Hills Is Gold, which had a similar setting and was apparently an influence for Jenny Tinghui Zhang.) I did feel that the limited narrative (told from Daiyu’s perspective) made some parts of the novel feel repetitive (especially as Daiyu’s thoughts circle around the same topic), but at the same time, there was something authentic about her perspective as she tried to make sense of the world around her and survive as best as she can.

I don’t think this novel will be for everyone, and I would stay away if you’re not interested in anything heavy and traumatic, but I think it’s worth picking up if you want a close-up of a subject that isn’t as talked about when United States history is brought up.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Torture, Sexual assault, Murder, Racism, Racial slurs, Trafficking, and Death

Moderate: Rape and Violence

Minor: Excrement and Vomit

rachellen's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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? Yes

5.0

Having just closed the book seconds ago, I am in shock. I might need a few minutes. 

Spoilers mentioned. 

This was such an incredible story to read and I feel it is very special. Right when I felt the pace was too slow, bam! Another twist, another turn. Daiyu’s destiny was gut wrenching, as I began reaching the last 40 pages I thought ‘there will be a cliffhanger for a second novel or this novel will break me’. 

I found it really emotional and difficult to read parts of abuse and racism but understood entirely the importance of it. I felt more educated on Chinese American history after reading it, and really appreciated having learnt something, acknowledging my privilege at having to learn it by reading it rather than living it. 

I suppose Daiyu felt her luck never arrived for her, but through the story I saw how many times luck managed to get her to safety, though not as much as I would have liked. It’s a tragedy but one that was inflicted by racists and abusers. It’s simply horrid, and yet her storyline all still feels as she was in control. The minute that she didn’t go back to Boise to meet William, I knew. By calling out her real name, finally owning her name, it was as if she was calling her fate to meet her, not her captives, she didn’t wait. It was really captivating, particularly the line ‘my name is Daiyu[…] You will never forget me’. 

I adored the almost ethereal presence of Lin Daiyu, which had me questioning ‘is she real? Is this a sci fi? Am I seeing things too?’ I think at first I thought it was simply Daiyu’s coping mechanism, but I believe it was Lin Daiyu, tied with Daiyu from birth. Now I understand the importance of birth names and their inextricable ties to fate. 

Only praise rings from my brain right now. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Confinement, and Death

Moderate: Death of parent, Vomit, and Blood

sarasukovic's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Rape, Murder, Violence, and Sexual violence

Minor: Suicide and Vomit

heatherjchin's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Racism, Kidnapping, Rape, Trafficking, Torture, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Grief, Death of parent, Cursing, Confinement, Toxic relationship, Slavery, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Death, Violence, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Police brutality, Genocide, Adult/minor relationship, and Child abuse

Minor: Blood, Pregnancy, Deportation, and Vomit

thelittle_seokmin's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad tense slow-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Death, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Body shaming, Child death, Hate crime, Murder, Rape, Trafficking, Racism, Cursing, Kidnapping, Racial slurs, Violence, Xenophobia, and Confinement

Moderate: Sexism, Gore, Misogyny, Body horror, Grief, and Blood

Minor: Alcohol, Addiction, Death of parent, Ableism, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Pregnancy, and Vomit

pyronautphea's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-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? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Hate crime, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual violence, Torture, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, Trafficking, Police brutality, Rape, Sexual harassment, Xenophobia, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Gun violence, Death of parent, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Vomit, Colonisation, and Pregnancy

mxhcat's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful medium-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? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Hate crime, Racism, Rape, and Trafficking

Moderate: Vomit, Dysphoria, and Pedophilia

Minor: Abandonment

cc0906's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Rape, Murder, Racism, Sexual assault, Racial slurs, and Slavery

Moderate: Abandonment, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Grief, Classism, Body shaming, Excrement, and Bullying

Minor: Torture, Vomit, and Suicidal thoughts

cait's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Abandonment, Ableism, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Genocide, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Trafficking, Violence, Vomit, War, and Xenophobia

kimveach's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-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

4.5

I loved this book.  I knew a little of the information regarding girls kidnapped from China and brought to the brothels of San Francisco, but this taught me so much more.  What I didn't realize was how many Chinese came to Idaho in the late 1800s.  The second half of the book takes place in Pierce, Idaho (where my own great-grandfather, grandfather, and grandmother homesteaded starting in 1917.)

The author wove together the story of Daiyu and calligraphy (the four treasures).  While this book would probably be a good listen, you would miss something by not being able to see the Chinese characters as the author describes their meaning.

This book will break your heart and stay with you after you finish reading it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Child abuse, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Vomit, Classism, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Dysphoria, Genocide, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Racial slurs, Rape, and Sexual assault