Scan barcode
wasabiapple's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
alliereads_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
4.0
A really beautiful and infuriating read. Kim Hye-jin paints a really complex portrait of an aging woman struggling with her mortality, her sense of duty to the world, and her responsibility as a mother. While I didn’t find the protagonist likeable, I did find her relatable, which may be more important. I chose to read this for pride month, and while it’s not your typical happy lesbian love story, it is a really poignant book about acceptance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime
smsadeee's review against another edition
4.0
“what worries me isn’t death, but life. I must do whatever needs to be done to withstand this suffocating uncertainty that will be with me for as long as i am living.”
Fabulous read, very light. It had such a refreshing and enjoyable tone. It was my first experience reading about the complex bond between a mother and daughter without feeling overwhelmed.
The way this book portrayed the challenges of growing older without anyone to care for you really struck a chord with me. It made me feel a deep sense of empathy for the elderly.
Fabulous read, very light. It had such a refreshing and enjoyable tone. It was my first experience reading about the complex bond between a mother and daughter without feeling overwhelmed.
The way this book portrayed the challenges of growing older without anyone to care for you really struck a chord with me. It made me feel a deep sense of empathy for the elderly.
_askthebookbug's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
drussell's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
olga_vino's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
jonisbookquest's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
amyrhoda's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is the second book by Kim Hye-Jin that I finished the day I started it. They're pretty short books and they move right along.
This book has one of the least likeable first-person protagonists I've read for a while. She's cynical, morose, and hypocritical, simultaneously angry that life doesn't offer enough and refusing to give anything of her own. As changes happen in her life, she slowly starts to see what's possible.
I really enjoyed this book. Even though the protagonist was selfish and narrow-minded, the author drops enough hints of her humanity, love, and goodness that I kept turning the page to see how she would change and what she would realize. This isn't a Cinderella story — there's no epiphany where she realizes the error of her ways and embraces love and warmth — but my page turning was finally rewarded.
This book has one of the least likeable first-person protagonists I've read for a while. She's cynical, morose, and hypocritical, simultaneously angry that life doesn't offer enough and refusing to give anything of her own. As changes happen in her life, she slowly starts to see what's possible.
I really enjoyed this book. Even though the protagonist was selfish and narrow-minded, the author drops enough hints of her humanity, love, and goodness that I kept turning the page to see how she would change and what she would realize. This isn't a Cinderella story — there's no epiphany where she realizes the error of her ways and embraces love and warmth — but my page turning was finally rewarded.
whatsup24601's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
5.0