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books_baking_brews's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Lescure really pulled something off here. I mean I just didn't like a single character. They were terrible to each other and the people they were supposed to be there for. They used each other and people in their paths so thoughtlessly. The worst by far was Sloan. They are all thwarted by missed opportunities and longing to feel special and to distinguish themselves as such; I don't think they ever knew contentment, and that sort of conniving, grasping nature is hard to read. But despite your dislike you keep reading because it's sorta like watching a train wreck and the backdrop is so interesting and by the end you think what just happened here. This book covers a lot: the undercurrents, or in some cases "over" currents, of how expats move to a country and use it and lay claim to it without ever really having to suffer for it, without ever truly loving it outside of what it can get for them; the impact of China's one-child policy and the "re-education" of urban youth policy--the so-called lost generation; the fetishizing of Asian women; and the idolization of Americanness. It's all in there plus more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Rape, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Alcoholism
dhwan's review
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
whamydid's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
plasticpansy's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Racism, Alcohol, Colonisation, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Infidelity, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Alcoholism
caitie711's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
drumtowndg's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Deeply moving, heart-breaking and a poignant novel. I usually don't read the book blurbs before picking it up and I wish I had read it before. Coming to terms with the book once done with it with how it's advertised isn't quite matching, I fear. I might have missed out on the critical view it offered, particularly with respect to mentions of race.
Regardless, this book worth a 5 star review. It's very very personal, brimming with meaningful character relationships and the consequences perfectly, of fallout or growth. The expat culture is neatly taken apart, so much that at some point, you seem to be living under the characters' skins.
The plot is perfect. The idea to phase out Lu Fang's story from the past to Alva's present, and Alva's story set-up being reflective of Lu Fang's despite the disconnect between them is a sharp irony that propels the book. It is fairly slow, meaningfully slow, which allows you to connect with the characters and their psyche's expertly.
Regardless, this book worth a 5 star review. It's very very personal, brimming with meaningful character relationships and the consequences perfectly, of fallout or growth. The expat culture is neatly taken apart, so much that at some point, you seem to be living under the characters' skins.
The plot is perfect. The idea to phase out Lu Fang's story from the past to Alva's present, and Alva's story set-up being reflective of Lu Fang's despite the disconnect between them is a sharp irony that propels the book. It is fairly slow, meaningfully slow, which allows you to connect with the characters and their psyche's expertly.
your_true_shelf's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-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
4.5