The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
bosstoes2's review against another edition
5.0
My only issue was the 80s and 90s celebrity references that I didn’t get but couldn’t be arsed to google.
marisamoo's review against another edition
2.0
It was going so good and then there was like three chapters about masturbation and it all went downhill after that
_claireb's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
amand_a's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-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? Yes
5.0
mmcloe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
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? Yes
4.75
What a gift this novel is. The turn of the century is a baffling and uncertain and unstable time, infinitely more so (I imagine) for immigrants and the children of immigrants living in the corpse of a still warm empire. I like to imagine Chalfen's rat as a kind of metaphor and cipher that everyone reckons with in some way or another as they stumble through the world. How can something modified, changing, surveilled, tiny, futuristic, sick, and eternal all exist in one little assemblage? Quite good stuff.
imrosete's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Paired with the audiobook read by a cast of four people which was such a fun way to read. I can’t believe Smith published this at 25 - the vitality and verve, the interweaving of the plots and characters and ideas that all culminate triumphantly in that finale are just so well-concocted and masterfully clever. Rollicking good fun!
nixueq's review against another edition
3.0
Сподобався український переклад. Про традиції, відмінності, що об'єднують. Про конфлікт поколінь і культур, де всі різні, але треба об'єднуватися. Правильний баланс гумору та роздумів. Чудова книга на вихідні.
alyssam_'s review against another edition
4.0
I can see why people claim this is a classic. At first glance if you aren’t paying attention it seems like not much is happening, but as you pay closer attention you realize everything is happening all at once.
Discusses everyday intricacies of immigrant struggle, micro aggressions, assimilation, misogyny, generational trauma etc. How neglect can lead to extremism.
It was also interesting reading this in 2022 knowing it was released in 2000, before 9/11. Overall, it can be a slow read but at the end you feel like you’ve lived a full life with these people.
Discusses everyday intricacies of immigrant struggle, micro aggressions, assimilation, misogyny, generational trauma etc. How neglect can lead to extremism.
It was also interesting reading this in 2022 knowing it was released in 2000, before 9/11. Overall, it can be a slow read but at the end you feel like you’ve lived a full life with these people.