Reviews

A most unusual book by a Korean writer. Sort of like a Korean version of crime and punishment. It's dark and sad and nobody wins. I would wish a better future for Se-oh.

nanancay's review

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4.0

I loved this. I really felt like these characters were real - their thoughts, their numbness to other people and their depression. I could relate especially as I'm reading this in winter where everything seems bleak, and while this wasn't the best book to read to cheer me up, it made me feel less alone.

The book was wonderfully translated and reads so fluidly, and Pyun does an amazing job of capturing the nuances in emotion and the kind of thoughts that flicker through your head. If you have nothing to hold on to, even vengeance will become your lifeline.

This is labelled as a crime novel, but imo I didn't really care as much what the climax was, It felt like I was joining Se-oh and Ki-Young on their journeys and that was enough.

fathi_reading_list's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

fkshg8465's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense slow-paced

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

2.0

I always hope books by Korean authors are going to be amazing. This one fell flat.

Content Warnings

jennifermreads's review against another edition

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1.0

For a book that started with a bang (arson, murder, theft, family drama), it ended in a muddled mess. I had a hard time keeping track of who-was-who and who a particular chapter was focusing on. I kept thinking I could work through that. So, I plugged on thinking that, as the story progressed, the characters would flesh-out and the confusion would resolve. Instead, I was rewarded with a “Say what?” and “What the heck just happened?” and “That is how you are resolving this?!” Amazing start with a disappointing, anticlimactic ending.

jacinthe_l's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

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