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archivednotez's review
5.0
dear Areum,
i've read your story. your condition has created a sense of sadness as i've witnessed you coming to terms with limited time and the inevitability of our mortality. i've never felt this urge before to appreciate life and every bit of it, no matter how brief or uncertain. your unwavering determination has been a source of inspiration, but it's also accentuated the tragedy of your situation.
how come you still have a remarkably positive outlook on life despite facing immense adversity? the contrast between your youthful spirit and fragile physique underscores the cruelty of your fate. it's difficult to comprehend how someone so young and vibrant can be forced to endure so much pain and find hope in the midst of despair.
as the day goes silently blank, i've seen the decline of your health and its consequences on your life and the people around you. i'm not sure how could i express enough empathy for your devoted parents for providing you with the best possible care, but i hope you have found solace and strength in their presence.
areum, your story reminds me of the fragility of life and the fleeting nature of human relationships. your "brilliant life" is a mosaic of experiences, both joyful and sorrowful, and each moment is a testament to your courage and human spirit.
as i bid you farewell, i do so with a heavy heart but also with a profound sense of gratitude. thank you, Areum, for sharing your story with me. please know that your brilliance will never fade, illuminating the lives of all who have had the privilege of knowing you, even if only through the pages of a book.
may your next journey be filled with all the happiness you deserve. until we finally meet, Han Areum, know that you are loved, cherished, and deeply missed.
good night.
i've read your story. your condition has created a sense of sadness as i've witnessed you coming to terms with limited time and the inevitability of our mortality. i've never felt this urge before to appreciate life and every bit of it, no matter how brief or uncertain. your unwavering determination has been a source of inspiration, but it's also accentuated the tragedy of your situation.
how come you still have a remarkably positive outlook on life despite facing immense adversity? the contrast between your youthful spirit and fragile physique underscores the cruelty of your fate. it's difficult to comprehend how someone so young and vibrant can be forced to endure so much pain and find hope in the midst of despair.
as the day goes silently blank, i've seen the decline of your health and its consequences on your life and the people around you. i'm not sure how could i express enough empathy for your devoted parents for providing you with the best possible care, but i hope you have found solace and strength in their presence.
areum, your story reminds me of the fragility of life and the fleeting nature of human relationships. your "brilliant life" is a mosaic of experiences, both joyful and sorrowful, and each moment is a testament to your courage and human spirit.
as i bid you farewell, i do so with a heavy heart but also with a profound sense of gratitude. thank you, Areum, for sharing your story with me. please know that your brilliance will never fade, illuminating the lives of all who have had the privilege of knowing you, even if only through the pages of a book.
may your next journey be filled with all the happiness you deserve. until we finally meet, Han Areum, know that you are loved, cherished, and deeply missed.
good night.
hbrhjsmne's review against another edition
4.0
this might be the book where i’ll read it again every now n then bcs i love areum so much.. i miss him already. i miss reading his thoughts and stories :((
sonalipawar26's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Areum is glad he got to turn sixteen. Despite his physical challenges, Areum possesses a vibrant spirit and an unquenchable curiosity about the world around him. Maybe it takes the knowledge that you aren’t going to live long to truly love life. And I believe that was the case with Areum as well. Because he was a 16-year-old with the body of an 80-year-old.
Born to teenage parents, Areum’s condition (progeria) was diagnosed when he was two. That’s the only life he’s known—a life where he’s always been frail. With no friends, his exhausted parents and friendly neighbour, Little Grandpa Jang, are his only sources of socializing and entertainment. Well, apart from his rusty laptop that he got as a birthday gift; the only kind his parents could afford. After all, he’s a master of words. He loves to read and write and is on a mission to finish a story before the inevitable happens.
This novella snuck up on me. It made its way to my heart when I least expected it. I had an idea of how the book would end, but Areum’s observations and his journey brought tears to my eyes. Kim Ae-ran is certainly a master of her craft, as her writing is tender and thought-provoking. Moreover, Chi-Young Kim has done a fantastic job of translating this book; the flow is beautiful.
Its lyrical prose got to me and how; I was holding back sobs. I learnt a lot from Areum; he was wise beyond his years. I’m sure you, too, can learn a thing or two about life and courage from him.
Areum’s short life was brilliant, and so was this book!
Born to teenage parents, Areum’s condition (progeria) was diagnosed when he was two. That’s the only life he’s known—a life where he’s always been frail. With no friends, his exhausted parents and friendly neighbour, Little Grandpa Jang, are his only sources of socializing and entertainment. Well, apart from his rusty laptop that he got as a birthday gift; the only kind his parents could afford. After all, he’s a master of words. He loves to read and write and is on a mission to finish a story before the inevitable happens.
This novella snuck up on me. It made its way to my heart when I least expected it. I had an idea of how the book would end, but Areum’s observations and his journey brought tears to my eyes. Kim Ae-ran is certainly a master of her craft, as her writing is tender and thought-provoking. Moreover, Chi-Young Kim has done a fantastic job of translating this book; the flow is beautiful.
Its lyrical prose got to me and how; I was holding back sobs. I learnt a lot from Areum; he was wise beyond his years. I’m sure you, too, can learn a thing or two about life and courage from him.
Areum’s short life was brilliant, and so was this book!
persephtiyareads's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
brendayonathan's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Decided to read it after watching the movie, tbh because the movies was in korean i couldn't interpret it myself unlike english ones so i kinda found it hard to understand what happened but with this book i got to know it better; One thing that i was confused the girl that he talked to, so she's not real? If she's not why he bothered to text her back through his dad? I wasn't completely sure about that part; Tbh, i think i prefer the movie because it's not a one sided pov, in the book we got to read through aerum pov only, we only got to see his parents' struggles throughout his lenses, while in the movie, we got to see and be in his parents' position; One thing i didn't really like about the movie was the part of his parents firtst met, it was repeated twice, in the book even if it's slightly repeated, we knew what's the reason, he actually deleted it after hearing his parents debating, it made sense how it's being told again; Oh, in the book aerum relationship with mr jang also seemed like not that deep, plus his parents were skeptical about him, in the movie they were all fine; Lastly, the ending was different, it made more sense for the book, he died in the hospital unlike in the movie he died in the car, otw to see the new year's fireworks, indeed it's more touching, i think that's the essential part to create suxh emotion for the viewers, i like the movie one even though slightly didn't make sense.
jbrueck's review
3.0
A good book exploring someone being faced with death and getting older. What does it mean to 'feel' old or 'feel' young?
irgendwieantonia's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.5