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zimmerea's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Interesting novel that benefits from a close reading. Might be worth a reread having all context.
eavers's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
zmeiat's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
It was alright, but not as commpeling as it ought to be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Stalking, and Infidelity
Moderate: Fatphobia and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Addiction
shelfexplanatory's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperVia for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a fast-paced read that follows a Chinese woman named Hongmei, as she begins corresponding over email with the "Secret Talker," a mysterious admirer. Hongmei immediately feels drawn towards the secret talker as she plays cat-and-mouse throughout the book.
At its core, THE SECRET TALKER revolves around the idea of sexual attraction. In a way, Yan takes the concept of Asian fetishization and shows us how it can work in the reverse. When reflecting on why she was attracted to current her husband, Glen, Hongmei hones in on his American-ness. Glen's mannerisms seem exotic to Hongmei when she first meets him in China, but this quickly fades once she moves to the US to be with him.
Hongmei finds satisfaction in the pursuit, which is what draws her to the Secret Talker even when it becomes apparent that they are stalking her. As a result, she makes some very questionable and frustrating decisions throughout the book.
The ending felt a bit rushed albeit predictable. Even then, I was left wondering what kind of implications the reader was supposed to draw after the Secret Talker's identity was revealed.
cw: stalking, abortion, sexual abuse of a minor
This book is a fast-paced read that follows a Chinese woman named Hongmei, as she begins corresponding over email with the "Secret Talker," a mysterious admirer. Hongmei immediately feels drawn towards the secret talker as she plays cat-and-mouse throughout the book.
At its core, THE SECRET TALKER revolves around the idea of sexual attraction. In a way, Yan takes the concept of Asian fetishization and shows us how it can work in the reverse. When reflecting on why she was attracted to current her husband, Glen, Hongmei hones in on his American-ness. Glen's mannerisms seem exotic to Hongmei when she first meets him in China, but this quickly fades once she moves to the US to be with him.
Hongmei finds satisfaction in the pursuit, which is what draws her to the Secret Talker even when it becomes apparent that they are stalking her. As a result, she makes some very questionable and frustrating decisions throughout the book.
The ending felt a bit rushed albeit predictable. Even then, I was left wondering what kind of implications the reader was supposed to draw after the Secret Talker's identity was revealed.
cw: stalking, abortion, sexual abuse of a minor
vomiii's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, WHAT A PLOT TWIST! Our main character, Hongmei, starts receiving emails from an unknown user who describes her in explicit detail and surprisingly enough, Hongmei is not alarmed by this. In fact, she’s intrigued. As time goes on, the connection between Hongmei and the stranger online grows deeper.
She begins to reveal things to the secret talker (or more like stalker) that her own husband, Glen, does not know about. And, I find this bit so interesting! We as humans are willing to expose our deepest, darkest secret to a faceless character behind a screen but wouldn’t dare utter those same things in real life. Perhaps, Hongmei found comfort in knowing that this stranger knew nothing about her. I also believe the stranger felt the same way because he tells Hongmei about his daughter and apparent “suicide”. There was even this part where he gaslit Hongmei to thinking he was a woman (THE PLOT THICKENS….) but then switches up again. Even when Hongmei would get a new email, he’d always find it and I’m like ??? Alright, jokes over.
Fast forward to the end, Hongmei connects the dots and realizes that the secret talker is GLEN (cue mind explosion!!!). Even I WAS SHOCKED. But, I thought back to all the past occurrences, and slowly, everything started to make sense. I wonder why Glen didn’t communicate this to Hongmei; same with Hongmei. I wonder if this whole fiasco will make their marriage even stronger. I wonder, I wonder, I wonder.
She begins to reveal things to the secret talker (or more like stalker) that her own husband, Glen, does not know about. And, I find this bit so interesting! We as humans are willing to expose our deepest, darkest secret to a faceless character behind a screen but wouldn’t dare utter those same things in real life. Perhaps, Hongmei found comfort in knowing that this stranger knew nothing about her. I also believe the stranger felt the same way because he tells Hongmei about his daughter and apparent “suicide”. There was even this part where he gaslit Hongmei to thinking he was a woman (THE PLOT THICKENS….) but then switches up again. Even when Hongmei would get a new email, he’d always find it and I’m like ??? Alright, jokes over.
Fast forward to the end, Hongmei connects the dots and realizes that the secret talker is GLEN (cue mind explosion!!!). Even I WAS SHOCKED. But, I thought back to all the past occurrences, and slowly, everything started to make sense. I wonder why Glen didn’t communicate this to Hongmei; same with Hongmei. I wonder if this whole fiasco will make their marriage even stronger. I wonder, I wonder, I wonder.
myotinae's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
museaway's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Giving this a five since I devoured it in about 24 hours. Stalking isn't a topic I typically read, but like the main character, I was intrigued by the standoffish person cloaked by email.
I did figure out who it was early on, although it was so simple, I figured I was wrong. I did not anticipate the second twist concerning the young woman's identity, which did understandably complicate things and made the secrecy a little more understandable. In reality, it's a ridiculous setup, but it was fun to watch unfold.
Structurally, I liked the way Hongmei would include a story about her childhood mid-scene as a summation of an email she had just sent. Sometimes in-scene flashbacks can be clunky but this novel had a quick pace and never stalled.
I didn't particularly like the main character but she was interesting, and while I would never have made the choices she did, it was fun to slip into someone else's head and see what would happen.
My favorite character was actually the best friend, Nini, who went from being a gold digger to a war protester. She had the best character development of the book and provided some necessary comic relief.
For someone looking for a thriller that will keep them guessing, this is not it. This is about people desperate to communicate and doing so through unconventional means.
I did figure out who it was early on, although it was so simple, I figured I was wrong. I did not anticipate the second twist concerning the young woman's identity, which did understandably complicate things and made the secrecy a little more understandable. In reality, it's a ridiculous setup, but it was fun to watch unfold.
Structurally, I liked the way Hongmei would include a story about her childhood mid-scene as a summation of an email she had just sent. Sometimes in-scene flashbacks can be clunky but this novel had a quick pace and never stalled.
I didn't particularly like the main character but she was interesting, and while I would never have made the choices she did, it was fun to slip into someone else's head and see what would happen.
My favorite character was actually the best friend, Nini, who went from being a gold digger to a war protester. She had the best character development of the book and provided some necessary comic relief.
For someone looking for a thriller that will keep them guessing, this is not it. This is about people desperate to communicate and doing so through unconventional means.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
Moderate: Child death, Infidelity, and War
There are descriptions of the main character's life in China and the village she grew up, which include descriptions of child death and references to young teenage girls being seduced by a visitor. Hongmei's stalker had also been accused of (tw: rape)readingintheether's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 rounded up
i don't read a ton of translated fiction, so this experience was fairly fresh. this short little novel was creepy and thought-provoking, but ultimately not that memorable.
i don't read a ton of translated fiction, so this experience was fairly fresh. this short little novel was creepy and thought-provoking, but ultimately not that memorable.