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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
I grew up in NE Ohio when this was set: Ng expertly evokes a pre-digital time and place. Shaker Heights had an aurora about it, a cool, exclusive place, into which Ng sets her well intentioned characters on an inexorable path towards shipwreck, pulling race, motherhood, art, and control along with it. Highly recommended.
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
why am i crying? oh because complex family dynamics and black sheep children make me cry, duh. and bc everyone in this book is such an asshole.
"tudo o que nunca contei" dessa autora foi muito bom, então esperava um pouco mais, mas é um bom livro, só nao tao bom assim
I don't know if it's a betrayal to like the show better, but the way I perceived the characters in the show is not what was in the book. And while this happens all the time, in this instance, the show seems better... just my personal preference. Kerry Washington was amazing in the role of Mia, so the depth of her character had so many layers.
I think the problem is I relate so heavily to Mia that it's hard to separate myself from her character. Yes, she's a free spirited artist who travels around and lives by her own rules; she's never tied down to a person, location, or vocation. She is also a single mother. I really felt seen by this character. But the show in the end has this scene that felt like it hit me in my chest. When Mia said, "You didn't make good choices, you had good choices." I felt that. I FELT that.
"When all your choices have negative roots, or are deadly, what does one do? If you have a choice between tainted water, bad schools, or living in poverty, what do you select? Are those even choices at all?"
Looking at Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Mia grew up only being able to really focus on basic needs. Then, in early adolescent years and college, she was able to shift focus to psychological, love, and esteem. In the show, Mia is slowly moving into self-actualization and self-fulfillment. In the book, I'm not sure she's gotten there. I don't know if she's done a lot of self-reflection.
I think the problem is I relate so heavily to Mia that it's hard to separate myself from her character. Yes, she's a free spirited artist who travels around and lives by her own rules; she's never tied down to a person, location, or vocation. She is also a single mother. I really felt seen by this character. But the show in the end has this scene that felt like it hit me in my chest. When Mia said, "You didn't make good choices, you had good choices." I felt that. I FELT that.
"When all your choices have negative roots, or are deadly, what does one do? If you have a choice between tainted water, bad schools, or living in poverty, what do you select? Are those even choices at all?"
Looking at Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Mia grew up only being able to really focus on basic needs. Then, in early adolescent years and college, she was able to shift focus to psychological, love, and esteem. In the show, Mia is slowly moving into self-actualization and self-fulfillment. In the book, I'm not sure she's gotten there. I don't know if she's done a lot of self-reflection.
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A thought-provoking book that leaves the reader with more questions than answers. Well-written but complicated. Recommended.
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced