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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This started off so good! At the very beginning, I thought I would end up giving this one full 5 stars. The writing style is extremely easy to read; it wasn't difficult to read over 150 pages in one sitting. And unlike in many other works, I'd say the fact this one is easily digestible was a good quality. I was afraid of it falling into the "saviour"-ish trope in regards to Dokko, but I feel like the author was aware of it being a possibility and actively danced around it, trying to be somewhat respectful towards the issue of homelessness.
However, the entire thing fell apart once the perspectives started splitting. I wouldn't mind reading a story about an old lady bonding with a younger man with a problematic past, mutual support, etc... But introducing a bunch of random characters really wasn't the good move, in my opinion. I think it worked well only with one of them, the character of Gyeong-man, and the story about his twin daughters which - admittedly - did make me feel a bit touched.
The biggest fumble was definitely the last chapter... It took away the biggest intrigue, mystery which would've been better if it was left unsolved. It wasn't even written that well - rushed, a little random, scrambling to give the reader some sort of an explanation. I would've preferred it if Dokko's fate was left ambiguous, and I'm saying this as someone who really hates ambiguous endings. Not to mention, going back in time to point out big developments in his life, memory, etc... basically everything that was never stated before. I understand the metaphor, I understand the intention - the story being about all the other strangers, not Dokko himself - but understanding it doesn't make me agree with it at all. It wasn't handled well enough to be enjoyable.
Also... the random COVID plotline, Oh My God. That was awful. The mentions of it completely broke the immersion for me, I hate when anything related to the plague is mentioned in my fiction books, yikes!
But at least the polish edition is beautiful. The painted edges are what made me buy this, lol.
However, the entire thing fell apart once the perspectives started splitting. I wouldn't mind reading a story about an old lady bonding with a younger man with a problematic past, mutual support, etc... But introducing a bunch of random characters really wasn't the good move, in my opinion. I think it worked well only with one of them, the character of Gyeong-man, and the story about his twin daughters which - admittedly - did make me feel a bit touched.
The biggest fumble was definitely the last chapter... It took away the biggest intrigue, mystery which would've been better if it was left unsolved. It wasn't even written that well - rushed, a little random, scrambling to give the reader some sort of an explanation. I would've preferred it if Dokko's fate was left ambiguous, and I'm saying this as someone who really hates ambiguous endings. Not to mention, going back in time to point out big developments in his life, memory, etc... basically everything that was never stated before. I understand the metaphor, I understand the intention - the story being about all the other strangers, not Dokko himself - but understanding it doesn't make me agree with it at all. It wasn't handled well enough to be enjoyable.
Also... the random COVID plotline, Oh My God. That was awful. The mentions of it completely broke the immersion for me, I hate when anything related to the plague is mentioned in my fiction books, yikes!
But at least the polish edition is beautiful. The painted edges are what made me buy this, lol.
A book about new beginnings and how small actions can change lives. A reminder that the simple act of
"doing our part" in this world can make a big difference.
"doing our part" in this world can make a big difference.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
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
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
eh, while I actually liked a lot of the elements in theory, in practice I just found this kinda boring and not that well written. I liked that this was a little more “dark” than the few other healing fiction books I’ve read, but I wasn’t really engaged with any of the characters’ and their issues, especially the main character, and I didn’t like the change to first person POV at the end which in a way did give us answers into the “mystery” but was also just more rehashing of what we had just read. I am still looking for a japanese/korean healing fiction book I truly love.