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todd_bonzalez's review against another edition
3.0
It took me a while to really get into this book. I had found her style of narration to be a bit distracting but once I really got into it, I begun to appreciate it in some ways. I still felt as though the story didn't move much, but maybe that was the point. All the characters felt stuck after the tragedy, and the story gave me that feeling - of no progress and no resolution.
maryha0203's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
moonlightlibrary's review against another edition
3.0
This book was interesting at points, but I felt like there was not real driving plot to it. This is most likely because it moves backwards in time. I never really hit that point where you can't put the book down with this book. I struggled to find actual interest to keep me reading other than the fact that it was assigned to me.
eyen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tangleroot_eli's review against another edition
2.0
Ng's writing is stylistically beautiful, vivid and evocative. I wanted to like this book. But nothing happens. And while I favor character-driven fiction over plot-driven, the characters do have to drive something. A book where nothing happens isn't worth the time. Ng blows her hand by telling us everything in the first few pages; then, when the entire 2nd half of the book is flashback, there's nothing new to learn. She sets up the mystery of why Ona jumped and then gives us nothing to go on. And the hopeful ending isn't all that hopeful when we already know what happens after it. At least, I think we do. The book operates in 3 different timeframes, and knowing which one we're in when is devilishly difficult. A frustrating book made moreso by the promise that seems to be wasted.
marcccb's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars (rounded up)
Short review:
I had to read this short novel for one of my English classes and even though I didn't like it very much, I thought it could still count towards my reading goal!
This novel is told by the protagnosit, Leila, whose family has dealt with a tradgedy. She swtiches from past to present and tells us the sotry of what happened and how their family was affected.
To me, it didn't really have much of a plot it felt like she was just telling the sotry and nothing else. There wasn't much happening in the novel, it was almost like a flatline, very bland. Maybe it's because I'm into thrillers (although I do enjoy the occasional fiction novel), but it really did feel as if she was just telling the story of her family, there wasn't much to it.
Wasn't my cup of tea, but still a short sad novel about how a tradgedy could affect a family.
Short review:
I had to read this short novel for one of my English classes and even though I didn't like it very much, I thought it could still count towards my reading goal!
This novel is told by the protagnosit, Leila, whose family has dealt with a tradgedy. She swtiches from past to present and tells us the sotry of what happened and how their family was affected.
To me, it didn't really have much of a plot it felt like she was just telling the sotry and nothing else. There wasn't much happening in the novel, it was almost like a flatline, very bland. Maybe it's because I'm into thrillers (although I do enjoy the occasional fiction novel), but it really did feel as if she was just telling the story of her family, there wasn't much to it.
Wasn't my cup of tea, but still a short sad novel about how a tradgedy could affect a family.
steamedcheese's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is one of the books that I purchased for $1 on a whim at Bookoff, so I didn't have the HIGHEST expectations for it. What struck me the most about this book is how it travels backwards in time from beginning to end. I think that this style adds a sense of mystery and intrigue. I also think that this book had a lot of really interesting images and memorable moments which stuck with me. It is the kind of book that I don't necessarily LOVE reading, but I would be happy to write an essay about. Last note -- the rhythm of the book is also very interesting. It reminds me of the kind of sharp and straight forward tones of Cantonese, and I honestly think that this detail (whether intentional or not) added to the realism of the book to me.
lmurray74's review against another edition
4.0
I found this of interest as it gave me insight into the life of people in San Francisco's Chinatown, not far from where I live. I used to be able to walk around there easily but now the hills have me beat, so it's kind of out of bounds. This is just one family's story so just a glimmer of life there, but I found it an enjoyable read. I liked how the story moved about in time, but at the end there was a lot left to say, and apart from Leon, the characters weren't as well developed as I would have liked. I would have liked to have known more about the siblings and Mah, and the narrator too.
erika_archie's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the description of grief and the effect is has on every relationship in a family.