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kokechii's review
2.0
They said folktales and Wong Kar Wai and I was in.
Sadly about half way through the book I badly wanted out. The writing style was for me the biggest problem. So disjointed at times that I often felt lost, like whole parts or sentences were missing. The jumping of thoughts and meandering around made it really hard for me to connect to the narrator in any way. (Like the very ending - this isn't a spoiler - mentions both Before Sunset and Moon River and I hated those references because it's so dependent on the reality that the reader both saw and heard them to understand why he's even mentioning them and just... yeah. Show, don't tell?)
Didn't like the narrator nor his girlfriend and I remember the first time a sexual act was mentioned it came out of the left field for me so much so that I reeled back from my Kindle because just... What? The whole book felt like that, me constantly saying What??
The only thing I liked were the actual Chinese folktales.
Sadly about half way through the book I badly wanted out. The writing style was for me the biggest problem. So disjointed at times that I often felt lost, like whole parts or sentences were missing. The jumping of thoughts and meandering around made it really hard for me to connect to the narrator in any way. (Like the very ending - this isn't a spoiler - mentions both Before Sunset and Moon River and I hated those references because it's so dependent on the reality that the reader both saw and heard them to understand why he's even mentioning them and just... yeah. Show, don't tell?)
Didn't like the narrator nor his girlfriend and I remember the first time a sexual act was mentioned it came out of the left field for me so much so that I reeled back from my Kindle because just... What? The whole book felt like that, me constantly saying What??
The only thing I liked were the actual Chinese folktales.
hobsunv's review
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
njw13's review
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
dre_'s review against another edition
5.0
Devoured this book in one sitting. I think I got lucky: having lived in Toronto, Vancouver, visited Japan, seen most of the films and read many of the books referenced (those referenced and not read are now on the list!). Having access to so much of Sheung-King’s images, jokes (ya, seriously, I know Harold Li and his Burberry belt and I too can make just about anything the fault of the “f*cking Queen”. The firecracker scene? Hilarious) made this a 10/10 for me. I thought this book was generous: giving me the opportunity to listen to the experience of colonial bullshit (omg Lost in Translation for real), AND be inspired by the beauty, love, and good times that materialize in spite of it. I will reread this, because I loved it.
weemadarthur's review against another edition
Book reads like an unappealing man complaining about his ex without attempting to understand her point of view
li_gao's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
chrsevs's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
rebus's review
4.25
I didn't expect to enjoy this book, and it was very slow at first, but I began to really warm up to the male character and empathize with his point of view (his partner, not so much). I think part of it is that a little bit of subversive political ideology crept into the narrative about half way through, asserting that large corporations only express diversity views for purposes of image, branding, marketing, and to expand their shares and reach in the market. He also attacks the shallow nature of white western films and thinking.
It also is by turns a sweet love story, one of the rare ones in which the reader can be happy for the characters. It's not quite a masterpiece, but it's a deep and affecting novel that portends some hope for a young new artist.
It also is by turns a sweet love story, one of the rare ones in which the reader can be happy for the characters. It's not quite a masterpiece, but it's a deep and affecting novel that portends some hope for a young new artist.
ajlct's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-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