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_fallinglight_'s review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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? No
3.75
sarahmonster's review
3.0
Do not read this book while hungry; it will make you want to eat everything in your house.
jenniedee's review
3.0
I received an ARC of this novel, and was really looking forward to reading it; comparisons were drawn to Haruki Murakami, one of my very favorite authors. Sadly, I found Tongue to be more reminiscent of my less-favorite Murakami works -- closer to Norwegian Wood or Sputnik Sweetheart than to the Wind-Up Bird Chronicle or Hard-Boiled Wonderland.
There are certainly parallels, in the detailed description of superficial details interspersed with taut bits of plot development here and there. The narrator's loneliness is palpable, making isolation another shared theme. But something about Tongue feels incomplete, a little too disjointed, and I was disappointed that it was more firmly footed in reality than my favorite Murakami tales -- a fault more of the blurbs than of the novel itself. Though I did giggle when, at one point, a description of an ear entered the narrative, and wondered if that's where the comparisons arose in the minds of the blurb-writers.
The ending was, by the time it arrived, somewhat of a letdown; there was, at least for me, no surprise in it, though perhaps there wasn't meant to be. We simply watch as what seems inevitable for the narrator unfolds, and maybe that's the point.
While this probably won't go on my reread shelf, I will be keeping an eye out for further works by Jo, because Tongue certainly shows a lot of promise.
There are certainly parallels, in the detailed description of superficial details interspersed with taut bits of plot development here and there. The narrator's loneliness is palpable, making isolation another shared theme. But something about Tongue feels incomplete, a little too disjointed, and I was disappointed that it was more firmly footed in reality than my favorite Murakami tales -- a fault more of the blurbs than of the novel itself. Though I did giggle when, at one point, a description of an ear entered the narrative, and wondered if that's where the comparisons arose in the minds of the blurb-writers.
The ending was, by the time it arrived, somewhat of a letdown; there was, at least for me, no surprise in it, though perhaps there wasn't meant to be. We simply watch as what seems inevitable for the narrator unfolds, and maybe that's the point.
While this probably won't go on my reread shelf, I will be keeping an eye out for further works by Jo, because Tongue certainly shows a lot of promise.
julchen's review
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kheleyr's review
3.0
Tongue is the story of a young gourmet chef whose seven-year relationship suddenly comes to an end. She slowly returns to the kitchen to begin the process of putting her life back together again.
The only thing I have to complain about is the ending. Strikingly ill-fitting, yet surprisingly predictable, the conclusion of this story of heartbreak, passion, and the sensuality of food left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.
I relished the way the author used culinary terms and vibrant descriptions of various dishes to chronicle the protagonists journey not only through the pain of the loss of a loved one, but her entire life. I have no problem with the obsessive, addictive nature of the main character's love, in fact, it is quite appropriate to the feel of the story. I am only sorry that the ending left me unsatisfied.
The only thing I have to complain about is the ending. Strikingly ill-fitting, yet surprisingly predictable, the conclusion of this story of heartbreak, passion, and the sensuality of food left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.
I relished the way the author used culinary terms and vibrant descriptions of various dishes to chronicle the protagonists journey not only through the pain of the loss of a loved one, but her entire life. I have no problem with the obsessive, addictive nature of the main character's love, in fact, it is quite appropriate to the feel of the story. I am only sorry that the ending left me unsatisfied.
meeners's review
3.0
the expression "revenge is a dish best served cold" is particularly apt for this novel. XD as homer simpson might say: mmmmmm, revenge.
erat's review
3.0
Full disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of this book through Goodreads.
Tongue marks the first time Korean author Kyung-Ran Jo has been published in the English language (translated, to be more precise). The book tells the story of a cook who is grappling with life-after-boyfriend. Food is featured prominently in her process; I found the parallels between cooking and love/life/happiness/misery fascinating, and I confess to a bit of embarrassing drooling as I worked through the first 50 or so pages. In the end, the food parallels are taken to their outer-most extreme, ending with a plot twist that some folks here believe was obvious but I confess I did not see coming. The ending would make Shirley Jackson proud, and I'm sure it will make more than a few people squirm uncomfortably.
The jacket blurbs compare Kying-Ran Jo to Haruki Murakami. Although I did see some light similarities in a few spots, I find Murakami's writing to be more surreal and challenging, and thus more enjoyable overall. Tongue is as light as it is short (my copy is 212 pages long). I can not imagine anyone truly struggling to understand what is implied and what should be inferred. Having said that, this book is still well worth the read.
Tongue marks the first time Korean author Kyung-Ran Jo has been published in the English language (translated, to be more precise). The book tells the story of a cook who is grappling with life-after-boyfriend. Food is featured prominently in her process; I found the parallels between cooking and love/life/happiness/misery fascinating, and I confess to a bit of embarrassing drooling as I worked through the first 50 or so pages. In the end, the food parallels are taken to their outer-most extreme, ending with a plot twist that some folks here believe was obvious but I confess I did not see coming. The ending would make Shirley Jackson proud, and I'm sure it will make more than a few people squirm uncomfortably.
The jacket blurbs compare Kying-Ran Jo to Haruki Murakami. Although I did see some light similarities in a few spots, I find Murakami's writing to be more surreal and challenging, and thus more enjoyable overall. Tongue is as light as it is short (my copy is 212 pages long). I can not imagine anyone truly struggling to understand what is implied and what should be inferred. Having said that, this book is still well worth the read.
ethihoff's review
1.0
This book was so tedious, from the plot to the writing. It’s only 200 pages but I couldn’t finish it after I’d read half of it. For a book about food and sex, the descriptions were practically numb of all feeling and had no meaning like describing drinking hot chocolate as “going down the back of my throat”. The characters were all one dimensional and paper thin, and the ex-bf the main character was pining after was described so thinly. I basically only remember his name and nothing else! Bad, bad book.
geriatricgretch's review
5.0
What a beautiful and disturbing novel. Not exactly flush with plot, but the descriptions of food and heartbreak and sensuousness are well worth it.
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