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clare_tan_wenhui's review against another edition
3.0
Strictly speaking it is a 3.5, though I've decided to be harsher in approximating the ratings, as I'd rather not inflate it.
Disregarding the mythological elements in the story (Pontianak, Auntie Xunyi, the Chang E story), actually the theme prevalent in the story, is basically about the complexity of female relationships with peers and mentors, and their lingering consequence in our life, and oddly how relatability in relationships as well as its longstanding effects, do not necessarily hinge on blood ties and how long the relationship has been sustained.
Perhaps I am still a stickler for realism, as the mythical elements felt whimsical in the novel, and it was a tad hard to see how it contributed to the plot, structure or characters' development, until maybe at the end. And even then, the payoff was kind of disappointing and muted. The same could be said of the Singaporean setting in the novel, which was endearing, but yet overall lacking in really accomplishing anything. Felt that all this elements has overshadowed the solid story instead of enhancing it.
Nevertheless, this proves that the author Sharlene Teo has the knack of knowing what makes a good story. May she continue to hold onto this, while polishing her other areas, and I foresee her being a formidable name in the Singapore literature scene.
Disregarding the mythological elements in the story (Pontianak, Auntie Xunyi, the Chang E story), actually the theme prevalent in the story, is basically about the complexity of female relationships with peers and mentors, and their lingering consequence in our life, and oddly how relatability in relationships as well as its longstanding effects, do not necessarily hinge on blood ties and how long the relationship has been sustained.
Perhaps I am still a stickler for realism, as the mythical elements felt whimsical in the novel, and it was a tad hard to see how it contributed to the plot, structure or characters' development, until maybe at the end. And even then, the payoff was kind of disappointing and muted. The same could be said of the Singaporean setting in the novel, which was endearing, but yet overall lacking in really accomplishing anything. Felt that all this elements has overshadowed the solid story instead of enhancing it.
Nevertheless, this proves that the author Sharlene Teo has the knack of knowing what makes a good story. May she continue to hold onto this, while polishing her other areas, and I foresee her being a formidable name in the Singapore literature scene.
quequel's review
2.0
Eu cheguei ao final da leitura, e me perguntei: Pq? Eu não me envolvi em nada com essa história, eu simplesmente li.
sofiamarielg's review
2.0
I couldn't get over the bad writing in this novel, which left me with renewed appreciation for authors who can truly manipulate language to tell a story in a way that doesn't remind oneself of their own teenage writing efforts. That being said, the chapters told from the mother's perspective were intriguing and had the most potential. I would be interested in reading a novel that told solely the mother's story. I cared nothing for the daughter or her friend, especially the chapters which concerned Circe in the future. Ponti is readable enough, but just about, and I considered stopping many times along the story. By the time I got to the end, I was simply glad that it was over.
ohpas's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.25
aminasbookshelf's review
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-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
5.0
myza's review against another edition
DNF @24%.
I am not a huge fan of high school friendship stories. The writing was good in it though.
I am not a huge fan of high school friendship stories. The writing was good in it though.
ibxri's review
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
michellecoleman's review
3.0
This is a more enjoyable read than Ferrante, but ultimately it is about toxic female friendships and I’m not sure what the point is.
03jnnfr's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
jelundberg's review
2.0
I need to preface this by saying that I’m a fan of Sharlene’s writing. I’ve even published her in LONTAR and Best New Singaporean Short Stories. And I went into this novel really wanting to like it. Which is why reading it was frustrating.
I felt throughout held at arm’s length by the author. Even though I am told about our three protagonists, I never got invited into their experiences, which left me cold as a reader. Even the first-person chapters are surprisingly light on interiority.
In fact, the third-person chapters following the life of Amisa, from leaving her kampung to filming the Ponti movies to her disappointment as a failed starlet and mother, were the only ones to catch my interest, yet they only occupy a third of the narrative. Szu’s and Circe’s stories just can’t compare.
It is entirely possible that I am not the audience for this novel, but for someone rooting for Sharlene to succeed, and who understands much of the cultural context that the book explores, I’m sad that it just didn’t connect.
I felt throughout held at arm’s length by the author. Even though I am told about our three protagonists, I never got invited into their experiences, which left me cold as a reader. Even the first-person chapters are surprisingly light on interiority.
In fact, the third-person chapters following the life of Amisa, from leaving her kampung to filming the Ponti movies to her disappointment as a failed starlet and mother, were the only ones to catch my interest, yet they only occupy a third of the narrative. Szu’s and Circe’s stories just can’t compare.
It is entirely possible that I am not the audience for this novel, but for someone rooting for Sharlene to succeed, and who understands much of the cultural context that the book explores, I’m sad that it just didn’t connect.