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spacestationtrustfund's review against another edition
3.0
Traduit du coréen 『너의 목소리가 들려』 grâce aux Kim Young-sook et Arnauld Le Brusq. Portrait fascinant d'un homme sans attaches, à la dimension christique. Il est le révélateur incandescent d'une société, la Corée, qui est aussi la nôtre, déchirée par ses tensions internes. Sombre et tumultueux.
starnighte's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
keliwurly's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alaskachan's review
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I saw a lot of people who stopped caring after the first part but I was intrigued throughout the whole book. It's dark and it's violent and it kept me hooked; it's powerful. And I was deeply moved by the connection that Donggyu and Jae shared, no matter what happened in their lives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual content and Abandonment
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
eggmama's review
2.0
The back of the book describes this story as, "A novel about two orphans from the streets of Seoul: one becomes the head of a powerful motorcycle gang and the other follows him at all costs."
But I didn't find any of this to be true. Neither Jae or Donggyu are orphans - their parents are still alive. And while Jae does become a leader for a motorcycle gang, he's more of a spiritual leader than a violent head. And Donggyu, Donngyu is forever caught between himself and Jae, and feelings of jealousy, regret, and love prevent him from totally following the former.
The description says nothing about the quasi-religious and philosophical views Jae has, and the almost Christ-like figure he becomes. Towards the end of the novel, I expected some revelation based on Jae's views. Instead, I put the book down and thought, "So what?"
The epilogue reveals added information, but answers no questions. It even fails to be shocking. With so much suspension of disbelief needed for the first part of the book, the ending hardly seems revolutionary.
That being said, the novel did give me a darker, grittier look into Seoul, from destitute teens to police corruption, an image quite different from the one sold of the city. Seoul, a glittering, airbrushed, totally civilized dragon of a metropolis hides poisoned grit under her belly.
But I didn't find any of this to be true. Neither Jae or Donggyu are orphans - their parents are still alive. And while Jae does become a leader for a motorcycle gang, he's more of a spiritual leader than a violent head. And Donggyu, Donngyu is forever caught between himself and Jae, and feelings of jealousy, regret, and love prevent him from totally following the former.
The description says nothing about the quasi-religious and philosophical views Jae has, and the almost Christ-like figure he becomes. Towards the end of the novel, I expected some revelation based on Jae's views. Instead, I put the book down and thought, "So what?"
The epilogue reveals added information, but answers no questions. It even fails to be shocking. With so much suspension of disbelief needed for the first part of the book, the ending hardly seems revolutionary.
That being said, the novel did give me a darker, grittier look into Seoul, from destitute teens to police corruption, an image quite different from the one sold of the city. Seoul, a glittering, airbrushed, totally civilized dragon of a metropolis hides poisoned grit under her belly.
omnibozo22's review
3.0
One more book about disaffected youth. This one reflects the deeper dismay that alienated teens bring in Asian, specifically South Korean, societies. While the two main protagonists share difficult childhoods, their later development presents them as continuing enigmas. I wasn't much engaged by the story or the style. I'm unlikely to read more of Kim's work.
candiemarsh's review
5.0
A story of the realities of being human. Touches on several dark topics yet it was a fast-paced read. I felt some kinship for Donggyu; some decisions we make in life are a matter of life and death, once made can never be reversed. Jae's special character embodied someone who was able to inspire a cult-like belief in his followers; modest yet confident. Really enjoyed this book.