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hue's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I adore Kim Thúy's way of writing. In little snippets, vignettes, rather than dashing on like the "typical" novels. This feels serene and calm, even with all the heavy topics it has within the story. I could read it again and again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Gun violence, War, Child death, and Abandonment
maidinnah's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
3.5
Lyrically written, elegant, and concise. The choice to write the book as a series of vignettes rather than a cohesive narrative was an interesting one. Reading Ru felt like accessing the collective experiences of Vietnamese refugees and therefore is an excellent starter novel for those wanting to learn more about life during and after the Vietnam war.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Excrement, Gun violence, Violence, and War
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment
meliait's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Overall amazing. I just wish it was longer
Incredibleeee writing
Incredibleeee writing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Grief and Excrement
Minor: Sexual violence
abitofapoet's review
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
raw and heartbreaking, hard to put down
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, War, and Violence
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Miscarriage and Racism
romie_chat's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
it is such a small book, and yet it encompasses an entire lifetime. it shares dreams and hopes and fears and brutal moments with us. the writing style is simple and beautiful, I would even say the simplicity is what makes this book so impactful. there is nothing grandiose about it. it is simply a story relating someone's life, someone and yet everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Pedophilia, Child death, and Violence
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, War, and Excrement
Minor: Death and Violence
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