Reviews

Human Acts by Han Kang

clarinechow's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.5

airr's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, War, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Murder, Death, and Gun violence

Minor: Vomit

amiablebookworm's review against another edition

challenging dark sad medium-paced

5.0

jenniey3's review against another edition

2.0

I had pretty high hopes for this book and the premise was certainly interesting. It piqued my interest and I learned some South Korean history (albeit after some additional digging around online for context).

However the execution was horrendous. Split up into 6 parts, the narration is difficult to follow and the writing style is not fluid. Kang also utilizes the second person. Why?! Extreme mental gymnastics is required to figure out what the hell is going on. But it’s possible that the translator, Deborah Smith, also may have botched some wordings. For the most part, the book was definitely a slog. I felt like I was forcing myself through parts.

The government’s violent response to the Gwanju uprising was horrific, yet Kang delivers the story rather impersonally. Overall I feel like it was a massively missed opportunity, but I do appreciate her bringing this historical event to light.

Will probably not read anything else by Kang, especially if Deborah is the translator.

mona_luisa's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense

4.5

pflichtfeld20's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

prissi's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

dannycouto's review against another edition

challenging dark slow-paced

2.0

joshtenet's review against another edition

dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

liamilo's review against another edition

le style d'écriture me plaît pas :/ j'ai du mal a comprendre