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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.
softwindflower's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Death of parent, and Cancer
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual harassment
cricca's review
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75