Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
I loved this book, and reading it during my first visit to Bangkok was perfect. It shifts back and forth between the present, the recent and distant past, and various points in an imagined future. Sometimes it’s hard to pin down where we are in time, which is…intentional? Metaphorical? A gorgeous, wistful trip.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked the second half way more than the first. In the first half I really struggled to remember all the characters.
I found this novel hard to follow. There are too many disparate stories and characters — or at least the characters should be better developed. The novel as an elegy to Bangkok gets lost in some of these stories.
The author’s style is at times beautifully lyrical and at times insipidly simple. There is no narrative rhyme or reason for this as far as I could tell.
The best story line is that of the two sisters, whose themes speak to the love of home, the pain of siblings alienated, and the traumas of losing a loved one fighting a dictatorship.
The author’s style is at times beautifully lyrical and at times insipidly simple. There is no narrative rhyme or reason for this as far as I could tell.
The best story line is that of the two sisters, whose themes speak to the love of home, the pain of siblings alienated, and the traumas of losing a loved one fighting a dictatorship.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was trying to listen to this on audio and I couldn't get invested in any of the storylines. The writing style felt very sterile. After reading a few reviews from people who finished it, I don't think this book is a good fit for me.
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes