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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Is Sun Wukong really on a journey to enlightenment—or is he just being slowly housebroken? Would he reach Enlightenment without a dog collar, "encouraging" him to be well-behaved? I think...no
The Monkey King's quest began super strong for me. The characters are all individually interesting, and the scope of Sun Wukong's abilities means that he can keep the plot entertaining with so many possibilities for problem-solving.
Once the pilgrimage sets out, though, the structure settles into a tedious rhythm: a monster shows up, Wukong defeats it, and they move on. Again. And again. Even with the ever-changing cast of demons and magical detours, the formula starts to feel more like a loop than a journey.
I liked it and wanted to love it but just couldn't.
The Monkey King's quest began super strong for me. The characters are all individually interesting, and the scope of Sun Wukong's abilities means that he can keep the plot entertaining with so many possibilities for problem-solving.
Once the pilgrimage sets out, though, the structure settles into a tedious rhythm: a monster shows up, Wukong defeats it, and they move on. Again. And again. Even with the ever-changing cast of demons and magical detours, the formula starts to feel more like a loop than a journey.
I liked it and wanted to love it but just couldn't.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An interesting, if strange read, like nothing I've read before. It's funny, historically interesting and at times very engaging, if somewhat hard to get into.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
Would’ve been even better had I known more about the symbolism of animals in Buddhism/Taoism/Confucianism
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
slow-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
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
DNF @ 38%.
After months of telling myself I'll get back to it, I've finally summoned up my courage to admit to myself I will NOT be finishing this book. Which is a real pity, to be honest.
The book starts out super strong. It's my first time reading Chinese literature, and the playfulness and rhythm immediately had me hooked. But the abrupt change from Monkey's antics to the human realm of emperors and monks left me reeling, and I just struggled to maintain my interest.
Add onto that that the rest of the book becomes episodic, and I've had enough experience with Don Quixote to know that episodic stories are definitely not my cup of tea.
I'd definitely recommend the first half to almost everyone just for the experience of reading a different style of writing than what we're normally used to, and the brilliant storytelling. But the second half is a hard pass for me.
After months of telling myself I'll get back to it, I've finally summoned up my courage to admit to myself I will NOT be finishing this book. Which is a real pity, to be honest.
The book starts out super strong. It's my first time reading Chinese literature, and the playfulness and rhythm immediately had me hooked. But the abrupt change from Monkey's antics to the human realm of emperors and monks left me reeling, and I just struggled to maintain my interest.
Add onto that that the rest of the book becomes episodic, and I've had enough experience with Don Quixote to know that episodic stories are definitely not my cup of tea.
I'd definitely recommend the first half to almost everyone just for the experience of reading a different style of writing than what we're normally used to, and the brilliant storytelling. But the second half is a hard pass for me.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
funny
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