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books_and_fairy_lights's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
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
I don't remember ever crying so much over a single book. It got me laughing and sobbing. It's tragic and very emotional, but hopeful, and beautifully written. It's also very instructive and I loved it from the first page to the last one. A wonderful book about love, friendship, survival, and the importance to forgive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mass/school shootings, Sexual violence, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Rape
Minor: Cancer
tripscurlies's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I love stories about women friendships and their complexities and this one was excellent. There are many tragedies in this book, and it had me weeping at the end, so be warned about that. It also takes place over several decades on Jeju, which is a part of the world that I hadn't looked into prior and found incredibly interesting. I really felt that the author put a lot of research into it and it makes me want to seek about more information. Overall, I would highly recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Mass/school shootings, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual content
sarah984's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked this novel a lot. It was full of interesting historical and cultural details of a location and period that I didn't know much about beforehand but in an easily understandable way. It definitely felt like it was written with respect and love for the real people of Jeju.
The overarching story about forgiveness and seeing other people's perspectives was good but it was also very similar to Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by the same author, which was kind of weird for me.
The overarching story about forgiveness and seeing other people's perspectives was good but it was also very similar to Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by the same author, which was kind of weird for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Police brutality, Rape, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Child death
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Cancer, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Trafficking
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