Scan barcode
its_literature's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
the blurb doesn’t do this book justice—compelling and difficult—the way this story spans generations is just fascinating
harriet6079's review against another edition
3.0
This felt like two completely different books. The first half was beautiful and would have been five stars. The second half was awful and would have been one star. Hence it’s got three here. In many places it felt like it moved too quickly skipping over too much time. In the first half we really got to know Sunja but the second half seemed to skip between Noa, Mozazu, a weird chapter with Harukami’s wife that wasn’t needed at all and eventually Solomon. We don’t get to know any of them at all.
laurenshikari's review against another edition
2.0
The story starts out great and you get into the story. The characters are written well in the beginning with good buildup and character development. It is a story that is about more than one generation. Eventually, the story just doesn't attract you the way it did in the beginning. You're sort of left questioning where is the ending or what will the ending be because you're just done.
aidanjo8's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
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
4.5
lborrallo's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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
5.0
raalux's review against another edition
3.0
It's a well-written book, but I just didn't get particularly attached to any of the characters, so, although it was an enjoyable reading experience, it simply never gripped me.
caelestiore's review against another edition
3.0
I did enjoy this book. A historical and educational read, with good character development and I do love the “multigenerational family” trope. However, I do think that a lot of factors in this book were unnecessary, which made it longer than I thought it should be.
(Spoilers!)
“Book 3” was messy. Reading certain side characters with their long side stories felt very undesirable to me. For example: Solomon and Hana and Phoebe, Haruki and Ayame and Daisuke. Not to say they were not needed, but I just didn’t care for them much. I think I would’ve lived if I didn’t find out Haruki was getting head in a cemetery for girls and gays, or that Hana and Solomon were getting their freaky on in their youth. I didn’t even bat an eye to Phoebe. It was just weak, I didn’t feel as connected to the characters as I did with the first two parts.
Talking about characters, I really liked reading the main cast. Especially Sunja and Isak, and the farm arc. But everyone in this book did say or do something that pissed me off, either slightly or horribly. I also think this book focused so much on the miseries and suffering, that when something happy finally happens, there are almost no details whatsoever, and poof, they died. Tragedy after tragedy, though I think it's supposed to be realistic (?) Some deaths truly caught me off guard, very much a “woah!” moment to me (cough cough, Noa and Yumi).
Aside from my nitpicking, I won’t deny that this is a good book. The writing was good. The first two parts were good, character-wise and maybe a sprinkle of good plot. It turned the pages for me, though I may have skimmed my way through the last part. A very good "good" book!
I just don’t think this book did it for me as it did with others. A shame, but not a first.
(Spoilers!)
“Book 3” was messy. Reading certain side characters with their long side stories felt very undesirable to me. For example: Solomon and Hana and Phoebe, Haruki and Ayame and Daisuke. Not to say they were not needed, but I just didn’t care for them much. I think I would’ve lived if I didn’t find out Haruki was getting head in a cemetery for girls and gays, or that Hana and Solomon were getting their freaky on in their youth. I didn’t even bat an eye to Phoebe. It was just weak, I didn’t feel as connected to the characters as I did with the first two parts.
Talking about characters, I really liked reading the main cast. Especially Sunja and Isak, and the farm arc. But everyone in this book did say or do something that pissed me off, either slightly or horribly. I also think this book focused so much on the miseries and suffering, that when something happy finally happens, there are almost no details whatsoever, and poof, they died. Tragedy after tragedy, though I think it's supposed to be realistic (?) Some deaths truly caught me off guard, very much a “woah!” moment to me (cough cough, Noa and Yumi).
Aside from my nitpicking, I won’t deny that this is a good book. The writing was good. The first two parts were good, character-wise and maybe a sprinkle of good plot. It turned the pages for me, though I may have skimmed my way through the last part. A very good "good" book!
I just don’t think this book did it for me as it did with others. A shame, but not a first.
alidacap's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
acciojulia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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
4.75
lijohnlw1's review against another edition
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this. I'd compare the multi-generational trajectory to One Hundred Years of Solitude, but Min Jin Lee's tale is more tragic than magic. I might also contrast it with Americanah, a good novel that replaces Korea with Nigeria and Japan with the US.
The author really captures a gradual shift in cultural perspectives, and I think a real strength is the way she pulls the story through those generations authentically, whilst tackling a real range of tensions felt by the protagonists.
I wasn't as much a fan of the sudden shifts in perspective and time, leaping forwards several years at a time without warning (but without the deliberate discombobulation of a Cloud Atlas).
That said, highly recommended.
The author really captures a gradual shift in cultural perspectives, and I think a real strength is the way she pulls the story through those generations authentically, whilst tackling a real range of tensions felt by the protagonists.
I wasn't as much a fan of the sudden shifts in perspective and time, leaping forwards several years at a time without warning (but without the deliberate discombobulation of a Cloud Atlas).
That said, highly recommended.