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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
I never quite know what to say about Shin Kyung Sook’s writing. Whenever I read one of her books, I end up being at a loss for words, my head filled with thoughts. Her writing, although simple — as opposed to a flowery style —, has this rawness and genuineness which makes you reflect on the way you view life up until this point.
What’s terribly heartbreaking in this novel is how each and every character took for granted what their mother (or wife depending on whom we’re talking about) did for them and how they never considered her feelings.
Being a mother is so complex because once a woman becomes a mother, it feels as though she is no longer a woman. She’ll be called mother and even her significant other might start calling her that because they would unconsciously mimic what their children call her.
A mother eventually becomes an almost out-of-time figure who has no past. Children tend to think that their mother is only there for them and once they grow up, they feel stifled by her presence. However, as they navigate adulthood, they become guilty because they realise how selfish they have been towards their mother who has always been there for them.
The mother figure in this book is particularly striking because she is not a perfect mother. Her favoritism, her lack of communication and her stubbornness are traits which seem to be found in almost all mothers. Your heart may ache for her at one point but then her actions will make you frown at her the next moment. However, her devotion is one to be admired.
Shin Kyung Sook’s brillant characterisation gently invites you to put yourself in every character’s shoes so that, by the end of the book, you’ve seen the world through their eyes thus enabling you to understand them.
Throughout this novel, the blame doesn’t fall on anybody. Life is not a black and white picture and the infinite shades of gray which makes it up form a painting so detailed that everything is left to be interpreted.
Shin Kyung Sook’s characters are so deeply humane — flawed, insensitive and selfish at times — that they make for a stunning picture of the human condition.
What’s terribly heartbreaking in this novel is how each and every character took for granted what their mother (or wife depending on whom we’re talking about) did for them and how they never considered her feelings.
Being a mother is so complex because once a woman becomes a mother, it feels as though she is no longer a woman. She’ll be called mother and even her significant other might start calling her that because they would unconsciously mimic what their children call her.
A mother eventually becomes an almost out-of-time figure who has no past. Children tend to think that their mother is only there for them and once they grow up, they feel stifled by her presence. However, as they navigate adulthood, they become guilty because they realise how selfish they have been towards their mother who has always been there for them.
The mother figure in this book is particularly striking because she is not a perfect mother. Her favoritism, her lack of communication and her stubbornness are traits which seem to be found in almost all mothers. Your heart may ache for her at one point but then her actions will make you frown at her the next moment. However, her devotion is one to be admired.
Shin Kyung Sook’s brillant characterisation gently invites you to put yourself in every character’s shoes so that, by the end of the book, you’ve seen the world through their eyes thus enabling you to understand them.
Throughout this novel, the blame doesn’t fall on anybody. Life is not a black and white picture and the infinite shades of gray which makes it up form a painting so detailed that everything is left to be interpreted.
Shin Kyung Sook’s characters are so deeply humane — flawed, insensitive and selfish at times — that they make for a stunning picture of the human condition.
half of it made me feel deeply, the other half felt like a bit too unrealistic with an almost saint like mother figure
“You realize that you habitually thought of Mom when something in your life was not going well, because when you thought of her it was as though something got back on track, and you felt re-energized.”
The writing is very distinctive, and thus a little distracting, but it works. Nice emotional punch.
I really enjoyed how the author weaved the present story with memories and tales of the past. I felt connected to the characters and longed to find their mother along with them. There were one or two points where I was a little confused as to which character was speaking and had to go back and reread it...but overall I felt it was well written. It also got me thinking about the people in my life and how I take our day to day interactions for granted. I find myself wondering what I would miss were I to lose them and what memories would come to mind.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Asian family - you’ll understand
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
This is the best book.
it literally shows how much our mom's do for us.
I love this book and I think every child and husband should read it.
it literally shows how much our mom's do for us.
I love this book and I think every child and husband should read it.
"Por favor, cuida de mamá" me ha hecho reflexionar acerca de cómo he dado por sentado la existencia de mi madre y de cómo no he pensado en ella como una mujer más, como una persona que tiene sueños y que los ha dejado de lado para que yo cumpla los míos.
Agradezco a la autora por ser la voz de las mujeres a las que damos por sentado que siempre van a estar allí.
A pesar de haber llorado durante todo el libro, me siento satisfecha al ser éste mi primer libro del año.
Agradezco a la autora por ser la voz de las mujeres a las que damos por sentado que siempre van a estar allí.
A pesar de haber llorado durante todo el libro, me siento satisfecha al ser éste mi primer libro del año.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated