Scan barcode
rieviolet's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The novel is not bad but, like the other book by Tan Twan Eng I read (The Garden of Evening Mists), it didn't left a particularly strong impression on me.
The writing style is good but at times it gets a bit too much overwritten and descriptive for my personal taste, and that was an issue I had with his previous book too. It's not that I don't appreciate a nice metaphor or simile from time to time, but here there is definitely an overabundance of them.
The setting and the historical background are really interesting but I struggled a lot with the characters. It's not just that they were (almost all) quite unlikeable, I also found it difficult to connect with them, they felt distant and a bit flat. By the end, I didn't care much to learn more about them and about what their fate would be, I was more interested in getting a resolution for the plot concerning the trial/murder mystery.
I've heard from another reviewer that it felt a bit like this book lacked a clear centre onto which the reader could focus, and I completely agree. There is a lot going on (multiple story threads plus a double POV), but in the end I'm not sure what I was supposed to take away from it.
The writing style is good but at times it gets a bit too much overwritten and descriptive for my personal taste, and that was an issue I had with his previous book too. It's not that I don't appreciate a nice metaphor or simile from time to time, but here there is definitely an overabundance of them.
The setting and the historical background are really interesting but I struggled a lot with the characters. It's not just that they were (almost all) quite unlikeable, I also found it difficult to connect with them, they felt distant and a bit flat. By the end, I didn't care much to learn more about them and about what their fate would be, I was more interested in getting a resolution for the plot concerning the trial/murder mystery.
I've heard from another reviewer that it felt a bit like this book lacked a clear centre onto which the reader could focus, and I completely agree. There is a lot going on (multiple story threads plus a double POV), but in the end I'm not sure what I was supposed to take away from it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Murder, Homophobia, and Infidelity
Moderate: Colonisation, Death, Racism, Fatphobia, Gun violence, War, Sexual assault, and Chronic illness
Minor: Confinement, Alcoholism, Classism, Blood, Rape, Cursing, Suicide, Miscarriage, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Slavery, Vomit, Medical content, and Gore
theredheded_bibliomaniac's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Infidelity, Rape, Xenophobia, Death, and War
mattieallen's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: War
thesapphiccelticbookworm's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Thank you to Netgalley and Canongate for a copy of this book.
In 1920s Pengang, Straits Settlements (modern day Malaysia), lawyer, Robert Hamilton's friend, writer Willie Somerset Maugham comes to stay. Willie and Robert's wife Lesley confide in each other.
Unfortunately the writing style just wasn't for me, so I just couldn't engage with this book, therefore I found what would have otherwise been an otherwise great story dull and boring.
It dealt with some interesting topics and parts of Asian history, so I was disappointed that this book wasn't for me, but I'm sure many others will love it.
In 1920s Pengang, Straits Settlements (modern day Malaysia), lawyer, Robert Hamilton's friend, writer Willie Somerset Maugham comes to stay. Willie and Robert's wife Lesley confide in each other.
Unfortunately the writing style just wasn't for me, so I just couldn't engage with this book, therefore I found what would have otherwise been an otherwise great story dull and boring.
It dealt with some interesting topics and parts of Asian history, so I was disappointed that this book wasn't for me, but I'm sure many others will love it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Rape, Murder, Colonisation, Gun violence, Racism, and Homophobia
Minor: War
More...