Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a tough read but worth it. I especially loved the earlier portion of the book where Fang Hung-chien is in Shanghai; I found myself laughing out loud during some of the dinner scenes there. For this edition, I really appreciated the preface and afterword. The notes were much needed but, at the same time, I also needed more. I am not well-versed in Chinese history and literature so I needed as many notes as possible to help me better understand some of the cultural references.
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
adventurous
funny
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
DNF - Page 254 (perhaps 2/3rds of the way through)
Maybe I need to be a Chinese native to really get something out of this book that I see others are getting out of it. I tried to power through and finish it, especially since I was more than halfway through, but I failed to really connect with any of the characters or the (extremely slow moving) plot. From doing some research it sounds like maybe the translation doesn't do it justice? Unsure. It's supposed to be humorous and is hailed for its satire and wordplay, but I just didn't see much here that I thought was funny. Maybe the humor is lost in the translation.
Maybe I need to be a Chinese native to really get something out of this book that I see others are getting out of it. I tried to power through and finish it, especially since I was more than halfway through, but I failed to really connect with any of the characters or the (extremely slow moving) plot. From doing some research it sounds like maybe the translation doesn't do it justice? Unsure. It's supposed to be humorous and is hailed for its satire and wordplay, but I just didn't see much here that I thought was funny. Maybe the humor is lost in the translation.