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bbpphd's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lydiaedwards's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
it’s a good book for perspective and historical events, however, the pace was slow which made it feel like nothing happened, despite multiple revolutions happening
annetjeberg's review
4.0
Overall I enjoyed this book, though in the second half it dragged on for a bit, but it definitely picked up again at the end. I have to admit that part of the allure of this book is the fact that it is set in Taiwan, and focuses on the recent history of this country, and like so many: I just did not have a clue! While I definitely no expert now, I appreciate the new insights this book has given me, and I definitely will see if I can read more about this interesting country.
_rusalka's review
3.0
This book highlighted two things to me:
1. I have been taught absolutely nothing about the history of Taiwan.
2. This book really pointed out my western democracy privilege.
The story tells of a girl who was born on the day that civil unrest started in Taiwan in 1947, and then of her family from that point onward through to 2003. It tells of the problems that Taiwan had from being colonised by Japan, to being taken back by China, then the nationalist movement which was rejecting the mainland China influence and rule, and eventually to the democracy we know of today. And throughout all of this the impact this had on the real people of Taiwan, like this family.
I only knew of Taiwan as a democracy. I knew it had split away from mainland China at some point in time, but had no idea why or how. And I was not prepared for the reality of what had happened in Taiwan, and the ridiculous similarities to mainland China but with a different sheen to it.
Secondly, I realised that I could not emphasise with people who made terrible decisions when faced with threats to their past and family, and and could not comprehend the insidiousness of brainwashing and programming. I had to stop, and recalibrate my thinking. And by doing so, I realised that the reasons were because it was so far outside my realm of experience that everything was black and white in my thinking. And that was so fricking wrong - there is no way I could be so morally white if it was me, and sometimes blindingly morally white is just as bad. Once I checked the privilege, I had to stop and wander about to process what I was uncomfortable with, I engaged a lot more with the story.
I'm not sure if I enjoyed the read, but it was a good 3.5 star read which I learnt a lot through.
1. I have been taught absolutely nothing about the history of Taiwan.
2. This book really pointed out my western democracy privilege.
The story tells of a girl who was born on the day that civil unrest started in Taiwan in 1947, and then of her family from that point onward through to 2003. It tells of the problems that Taiwan had from being colonised by Japan, to being taken back by China, then the nationalist movement which was rejecting the mainland China influence and rule, and eventually to the democracy we know of today. And throughout all of this the impact this had on the real people of Taiwan, like this family.
I only knew of Taiwan as a democracy. I knew it had split away from mainland China at some point in time, but had no idea why or how. And I was not prepared for the reality of what had happened in Taiwan, and the ridiculous similarities to mainland China but with a different sheen to it.
Secondly, I realised that I could not emphasise with people who made terrible decisions when faced with threats to their past and family, and and could not comprehend the insidiousness of brainwashing and programming. I had to stop, and recalibrate my thinking. And by doing so, I realised that the reasons were because it was so far outside my realm of experience that everything was black and white in my thinking. And that was so fricking wrong - there is no way I could be so morally white if it was me, and sometimes blindingly morally white is just as bad. Once I checked the privilege, I had to stop and wander about to process what I was uncomfortable with, I engaged a lot more with the story.
I'm not sure if I enjoyed the read, but it was a good 3.5 star read which I learnt a lot through.
jenniferduannfultz's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
onepgatatime's review
4.0
This book is incredibly beautiful. The reality it paints is remarkable. Please read and add to your understanding of history.
gilmoreguide's review
3.0
The narrator in Green Island is born on the night in 1947 when the tension between the factions in Taiwan explode into civil violence. Her father, a doctor, in attending a community meeting the next night and quietly asking for a cessation of the police brutality becomes a marked man. Before she is even two weeks’ old he disappears from their lives, leaving her, her three siblings and his wife behind. With him gone the family loses their home and moves in with her mother's parents, all without knowing whether he is dead or alive. Author Shawna Yang Ryan follows the family and the narrator through their lives as they are pushed and pulled by opposing government forces wanting, not only control of their island, but of their national heritage.
The rest of this review is available at The Gilmore Guide to Books: http://wp.me/p2B7gG-1yA
The rest of this review is available at The Gilmore Guide to Books: http://wp.me/p2B7gG-1yA
tactiics's review
3.0
The characterization is pretty flat, which is fine for the most part bc it's clear the book is more interested in/insistent on the story as a vehicle for sharing a history/perspective/knowledge base, but the last third ends up dragging as a result and the grander themes and even the interesting contradictions are never fully fleshed out.
signeskov's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Body horror, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Forced institutionalization, and Torture
Minor: Deportation, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual harassment, and Colonisation