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van_worldexplorer's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully woven story of people in the same space over time. Loved how things concerted. The ending was a little weird but I don’t hate it. Loved the family dynamics displayed and how people changed over time.
toddbert's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
lprngtn's review against another edition
just wrong place wrong time! hopefully I’ll read this start to finish at some point
bookdeli's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
3.5
stephjoy15's review against another edition
4.0
*3.5 stars rounded up*
At first this book was a little difficult to get into. With its multiple storylines, it was difficult getting a sense for what was happening. While most all the storylines do intersect at some point, I was definitely more invested in some and could have done without others.
That being said, this book made me feel the pulse of Bangkok. There were moments where I found myself there in the streets taking in the sights and sounds and smells. Sudbanthad has a beautiful writing style and there were several sentences that I had to stop and reread and fully appreciate how beautifully written they were. This book also taught me about some major events and tragedies that have happened in Thailand.
This book made me ponder a lot of questions, such as: what effect does beauty have on our success? What is the cost of letting go of certain things or certain people? What is the role of remembrance and memory in a world that is continually looking to the future? And what happens when that future becomes scarier and it is easier to escape into the past? Do places continue to hold memories long after people have gone?
There was a sense of urgency throughout the second half of the book as the city begins to sink. Nowadays, climate change is a huge issue that everyone is talking about and yet, there seems to be little actually being done to combat it. This book definitely portrayed that urgency mixed with hopelessness as people continue moving up and the water continues to wash away places and memories.
I wish that more attention was paid to dismissing and moving on from characters. They all seemed to just fade away and I wish I could have said goodbye to them. However, I think this was in line with the theme of memories being swept away. Overall, I enjoyed this read although the end had me a little confused as I was not expecting the jump to the future and all the sci-fi speculation. However, once I understood what was happening there I was able to enjoy it more.
This book left me with many thoughts and feelings and made me wonder what memories certain places and things continue to hold onto.
At first this book was a little difficult to get into. With its multiple storylines, it was difficult getting a sense for what was happening. While most all the storylines do intersect at some point, I was definitely more invested in some and could have done without others.
That being said, this book made me feel the pulse of Bangkok. There were moments where I found myself there in the streets taking in the sights and sounds and smells. Sudbanthad has a beautiful writing style and there were several sentences that I had to stop and reread and fully appreciate how beautifully written they were. This book also taught me about some major events and tragedies that have happened in Thailand.
This book made me ponder a lot of questions, such as: what effect does beauty have on our success? What is the cost of letting go of certain things or certain people? What is the role of remembrance and memory in a world that is continually looking to the future? And what happens when that future becomes scarier and it is easier to escape into the past? Do places continue to hold memories long after people have gone?
There was a sense of urgency throughout the second half of the book as the city begins to sink. Nowadays, climate change is a huge issue that everyone is talking about and yet, there seems to be little actually being done to combat it. This book definitely portrayed that urgency mixed with hopelessness as people continue moving up and the water continues to wash away places and memories.
I wish that more attention was paid to dismissing and moving on from characters. They all seemed to just fade away and I wish I could have said goodbye to them. However, I think this was in line with the theme of memories being swept away. Overall, I enjoyed this read although the end had me a little confused as I was not expecting the jump to the future and all the sci-fi speculation. However, once I understood what was happening there I was able to enjoy it more.
This book left me with many thoughts and feelings and made me wonder what memories certain places and things continue to hold onto.
lizsg's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
5.0
elclubdelbrunch's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.5
kbratten's review against another edition
3.0
Difficult to review. The writing is beautiful, dripping with imagery and all the smells sounds, and sensations of Bangkok. These kept me reading when I was confused about who a character was or why their story was included. I expect this book would benefit from a second read, so I would not be do disoriented and could enjoy the story more. It is hardly novel, even if the short stories to accumulate and eventually come together. I may have enjoyed individual stories more with less narrative expectation. Ultimately I'm glad I stuck with it, even though the sci-fi, climate dystopian elements are not normally my style. Would love to see a more traditional novel from this author. His words are beautiful.
It's worth adding that I listened to this on audiobook. The narrator wasn't terrible but was a terrible choice for this book. He couldn't speak thai words correctly, anyone but European males or intense moments were not done well.
It's worth adding that I listened to this on audiobook. The narrator wasn't terrible but was a terrible choice for this book. He couldn't speak thai words correctly, anyone but European males or intense moments were not done well.
zoes_human's review
5.0
In a gorgeous ode to the city of Krung Thep, Pitchaya Sudbanthad takes you on a journey across time from the early 19th century into the future. Weaving historical fiction with contemporary and science fiction, he tells the story of a city and its place in the hearts of its people. Beautiful and mesmerizing, it left me both fully sated and nostalgic when I finally, lovingly closed the cover.
katherine_boothe's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, and reading it during my first visit to Bangkok was perfect. It shifts back and forth between the present, the recent and distant past, and various points in an imagined future. Sometimes it’s hard to pin down where we are in time, which is…intentional? Metaphorical? A gorgeous, wistful trip.