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axbvk's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I went into this book knowing nothing about China's class struggles and the day-to-day lives of its people and left knowing a bunch of names of audio equipment and with a love-hate (but mostly love) relationship with the story's protagonist. I liked how Ge Fei explained the world I was reading through, which made the book much more digestible than I expected it to be towards the beginning of the story. This easy-to-understand backdrop made drowning myself in the character of Mr. Cui much easier as a result, and he's a fun one to follow along with. My main gripe with this book would be that I felt some of the monologues about audio equipment went on for a bit too long, but when putting them in the context of the narrator they are right at home.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
charliekusiel's review against another edition
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this little gem.. a strong 4.5 stars.
erboe501's review against another edition
3.0
I don't read much from the male POV anymore, so this was an interesting portal into a certain type of masculinity. The story goes in an unexpected direction and has a much happier ending than I'd suspected it would.
mishnah's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
erinsbookshelves's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jamesdanielhorn's review against another edition
5.0
This quirky little novel about the beauty of life, is absolutely brimming with personality, but never stoops to the level of being saccharine. The intrigue is so perfectly embedded in the narration, I was enthralled from page one. Looking forward to more translations from Ge Fei in the future.
ratgrrrl's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I am so very confused about everything I have read or heard about his novella...and the novella itself, but I absolutely loved it!
Normally when I feel like I have read a different book to everyone else, it's because I has a bad time, but in this instance I had a wonderful experience I just don't think so many of the words applied to this story relate to it and/ or my experience with it.
Hero? The protagonist is a fascinating, but contemptuous arsehole.
Comic? I mean, it's amusing, but it doesn't seem explicitly comedic. It's at least as tragic as it is comic, probably a lot more.
Surreal/ Irreality/ Magic Realism? Am I missing something? I love and read a lot of works these labels apply to, but I don't see how they apply here. Is it really because China, but capitalist, because, if that's the case, what we call reality must blow a lot of people's minds.
I'm truly scratching my head. I'm so confused.
Regardless, I found this an incredibly entertaining and wonderfully written tale of failed love and bungling through life on the edge. There are definitely elements that reminded me of High Fidelity, with the focus on the audio equipment, rather than the music itsel, but this was very much it's own thing and less about pandering to the frail male ego, I think. Both protagonists have a rather deplorable and entitled view on women, but I think we're supposed to see that as more of a negative here, maybe?
Definitely made me excited to read more Ge Fei.
Normally when I feel like I have read a different book to everyone else, it's because I has a bad time, but in this instance I had a wonderful experience I just don't think so many of the words applied to this story relate to it and/ or my experience with it.
Hero? The protagonist is a fascinating, but contemptuous arsehole.
Comic? I mean, it's amusing, but it doesn't seem explicitly comedic. It's at least as tragic as it is comic, probably a lot more.
Surreal/ Irreality/ Magic Realism? Am I missing something? I love and read a lot of works these labels apply to, but I don't see how they apply here. Is it really because China, but capitalist, because, if that's the case, what we call reality must blow a lot of people's minds.
I'm truly scratching my head. I'm so confused.
Regardless, I found this an incredibly entertaining and wonderfully written tale of failed love and bungling through life on the edge. There are definitely elements that reminded me of High Fidelity, with the focus on the audio equipment, rather than the music itsel, but this was very much it's own thing and less about pandering to the frail male ego, I think. Both protagonists have a rather deplorable and entitled view on women, but I think we're supposed to see that as more of a negative here, maybe?
Definitely made me excited to read more Ge Fei.