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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
The beginning of this dragged quite a bit.
Not sure how accurate this portrayal is of psychopathic personalities - I found it a bit of a slog because Yu-Jin doesn’t really have a redeeming characters. So you’re not rooting for him at all, and being in his head is annoying.
I personally found the ending unsatisfying, but it was an interesting character study overall.
Not sure how accurate this portrayal is of psychopathic personalities - I found it a bit of a slog because Yu-Jin doesn’t really have a redeeming characters. So you’re not rooting for him at all, and being in his head is annoying.
I personally found the ending unsatisfying, but it was an interesting character study overall.
I absolutely loved it. The slow but steady pace, imagery, and frankly unsettling story — all of it was amazing. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect since the reviews seem pretty split here on Goodreads, but it turns out it was right up my alley. Maybe because I don't need pulse-pounding action or twists to keep me interested.
Because, well, if that's what you're looking for, this isn't the book for you. BUT, if you, like me, enjoy a slow, ambling descent into insanity, it most certainly is. This book is heavily focused on the main character and his thoughts, behaviour, and actions, which I find incredibly fascinating. Also incredibly unsettling and downright terrifying, because you can tell pretty early on that things aren't what they seem but you're not quite sure how bad things will get before you reach the end and... yeah, it's just good. I really, really liked it. Especially since it wasn't afraid to keep things simple and tightly contained, which just made it all the more easy to read.
Despite the slow pace, I was never bored and never actually wanted to stop reading. If I DID take breaks, it was mostly because I wasn't sure if I wanted to know what happened next, because it unsettled me so much. At the same time, I desperately wanted to know what happened next, because it was simply that good.
Also, while I wish I could have read the original (writing is usually best in its original language) I must say that the translation felt pretty solid. I could still see hints of the original Korean in the imagery and word choices, which I very much appreciated.
So yeah. A creepy but wonderful book that's well worth reading.
Because, well, if that's what you're looking for, this isn't the book for you. BUT, if you, like me, enjoy a slow, ambling descent into insanity, it most certainly is. This book is heavily focused on the main character and his thoughts, behaviour, and actions, which I find incredibly fascinating. Also incredibly unsettling and downright terrifying, because you can tell pretty early on that things aren't what they seem but you're not quite sure how bad things will get before you reach the end and... yeah, it's just good. I really, really liked it. Especially since it wasn't afraid to keep things simple and tightly contained, which just made it all the more easy to read.
Despite the slow pace, I was never bored and never actually wanted to stop reading. If I DID take breaks, it was mostly because I wasn't sure if I wanted to know what happened next, because it unsettled me so much. At the same time, I desperately wanted to know what happened next, because it was simply that good.
Also, while I wish I could have read the original (writing is usually best in its original language) I must say that the translation felt pretty solid. I could still see hints of the original Korean in the imagery and word choices, which I very much appreciated.
So yeah. A creepy but wonderful book that's well worth reading.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Riveted from beginning to end. A simple story but executed so well. Audiobook highly recommended!
4.5
4.5
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
Wow. I enjoyed this style of writing. Everything takes place over a period of a few days, but you follow along with an unreliable narrator. You develop more sympathy for certain characters as the story goes on. You start by believing one thing and then everything changes. Maybe the darkest lesson is that our love for someone can hurt us, them and everyone else. I enjoyed the read even though it was dark.
The extremity of the slow burn – had me a bit annoyed. I had to go back and reread and then I gave that up in search of the promised thrill.
Once the account of Yu-Jin started alternating with his mom, it became clearer and more interesting, but still I felt I had waited too long to be gripped.
Once the account of Yu-Jin started alternating with his mom, it became clearer and more interesting, but still I felt I had waited too long to be gripped.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes