Scan barcode
reydeam's review against another edition
5.0
“I hear her speaking a dozen lovely and native languages, calling all the difficult names of who we are.”
I like books where the characters feel real; they’re engaging and come alive and enrich a story which has managed to make me feel as if I stepped into the pages of a reality that is possible. I like books with beautiful writing—the kind of writing that makes me pause to take in a phrase, sentence, or paragraph because of how the sentence was structured or the choice of words strung together. Native Speaker is such a book.
This is a book about immigrant life, race relations, identity, belonging, tradition, necessary change, and so much more all marvelously packaged in great storytelling.
The story was told through a first-person narrative by a character that some reviewers did not find accessible; however, he was accessible to me. His introspective telling, sense of emptiness, and struggle to assimilate and combine two cultures connected with me even though I do not have first-hand experience. The idea of not knowing where one fits is an idea that I understand along with the emotional aloofness. The character made sense; his qualities, experiences, line of work and life choices gave emphasis to the themes of the book.
I did not want to rush through the pages of Native Speaker; it’s a quiet read that provoked thought, gave insight, and touched me. A beautifully told story.
“Over the mountain there are more mountains.”
I like books where the characters feel real; they’re engaging and come alive and enrich a story which has managed to make me feel as if I stepped into the pages of a reality that is possible. I like books with beautiful writing—the kind of writing that makes me pause to take in a phrase, sentence, or paragraph because of how the sentence was structured or the choice of words strung together. Native Speaker is such a book.
This is a book about immigrant life, race relations, identity, belonging, tradition, necessary change, and so much more all marvelously packaged in great storytelling.
The story was told through a first-person narrative by a character that some reviewers did not find accessible; however, he was accessible to me. His introspective telling, sense of emptiness, and struggle to assimilate and combine two cultures connected with me even though I do not have first-hand experience. The idea of not knowing where one fits is an idea that I understand along with the emotional aloofness. The character made sense; his qualities, experiences, line of work and life choices gave emphasis to the themes of the book.
I did not want to rush through the pages of Native Speaker; it’s a quiet read that provoked thought, gave insight, and touched me. A beautifully told story.
“Over the mountain there are more mountains.”
izywithonez's review against another edition
3.0
I thought it was a very interesting book, and the dynamics between all of the characters were super interesting. However I didn’t find it to be incredible. I don’t have much to say as so much happened in the book. I did really enjoy Kwang’s downfall, as it was very realistic to that of a true American politician. Additionally, I really enjoyed the rekindling of Lelia and Henry’s love. I believe it provided an unexpected, but positive ending to a generally depressing book.
ironlungal805's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
melodys_library's review against another edition
1.0
I picked this off of my own shelf at home, asking myself, I own this book for a reason...right? Around the time the main character, Henry Park, began describing his childhood, I remembered why: I thought the main character would be relatable. An Asian-American struggling with identity in America due to strict Asian upbringing...Sounds relatable to me!
Sadly, Henry Park was not just un-relatable, but altogether uninteresting. I kept waiting for the many themes - family tragedy and trauma, immigrant alienation, political scandal - to converge and make a point, but they just didn’t. The climax didn’t happen until way late, and the fallout was just as blah and unmoving as Henry himself. Some reviewers compared this book to Ellison’s novel, hailing it as the Asian Invisible Man, and all I have to say to that is: How dare they?
Sadly, Henry Park was not just un-relatable, but altogether uninteresting. I kept waiting for the many themes - family tragedy and trauma, immigrant alienation, political scandal - to converge and make a point, but they just didn’t. The climax didn’t happen until way late, and the fallout was just as blah and unmoving as Henry himself. Some reviewers compared this book to Ellison’s novel, hailing it as the Asian Invisible Man, and all I have to say to that is: How dare they?
beethebooknerd's review against another edition
I’m just bored and not really paying attention. Not in the right frame of mind for this book at this time.
avidreadr's review against another edition
5.0
Chang-Rae Lee is an excellent author, it’s no surprise I really enjoyed reading his debut novel. I thought some of the pace / plotting wasn’t as strong as his other books but that is of course to be expected with a first novel. Many elements brought to mind his novel A Year Abroad.
A pretty dark read, though there is a slight light at the end of the tunnel.
A pretty dark read, though there is a slight light at the end of the tunnel.
aclaret's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-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
2.0
hillaryreadseverything's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5