Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
Yo! If you are thinking maybe I should read this, just do it. Sometimes you won't like the MC and then will be like is he talking about me? Loved the writing!
Sang Young Park wrote this novel so unapologetically gay, romantic, and millennial. The frankness of the stories and experiences his protagonist Young had were refreshing, for the Korean gay scene is rarely seen and explored in any media. And for that alone, Love in the Big City deserved the grand feat it received when it was longlisted for the International Booker Prize this year.
Despite the potential of the novel, it still fell quite short, for me. It was a good read, but it could've been better, were it edited tighter. The book was only 200-page long, but it still felt too long. Too many mundane moments were interspersed between actual memorable scenes, ultimately outnumbering and diluting the latter. But when it gets good, it does get good, especially during the poignant and reflective last part. And I did like Park's characters—fleshed out and realistic I swear I'd met a replica of that guy before (particularly that older creative from part two; we've all dated that guy!)
Perhaps I'd enjoy this so much more if I didn't have such huge expectations. In that case, I'm not entirely against the thought of rereading this soon.
Despite the potential of the novel, it still fell quite short, for me. It was a good read, but it could've been better, were it edited tighter. The book was only 200-page long, but it still felt too long. Too many mundane moments were interspersed between actual memorable scenes, ultimately outnumbering and diluting the latter. But when it gets good, it does get good, especially during the poignant and reflective last part. And I did like Park's characters—fleshed out and realistic I swear I'd met a replica of that guy before (particularly that older creative from part two; we've all dated that guy!)
Perhaps I'd enjoy this so much more if I didn't have such huge expectations. In that case, I'm not entirely against the thought of rereading this soon.
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
slow-paced
I like the writing style, it’s very systematic. The translations too. But, I don’t like the story, i feel the character is playing victim towards life. I can’t stand it
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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
This is 5 stars alone for the fact that Arvin and I are bonding over this.
I read the book after I watched the series, and I thoroughly enjoyed both of them. (Though I must say the series is better, and will take you on an emotional journey. So I really recommend also watching it!)
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
emotional
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think this book is very remarkable. Love in the big city shows dynamics of emotions; while reading I felt every single of emotion such as happiness, sadness, anger, sorrow, love, regret, as if I was the one who's experiencing each event. It is so much different from other books of the same genre.
Love in the big city is a masterpiece about struggling of personal growth, struggling of queer people who live in judgemental, heteronormative and conservative society such as South Korea, struggling of people who are in searching of eternal love, who are searching stability in life. Other than that, this book also shows about love, traumas, ups and downs, happiness and regret, book about the people who are just trying to live their lives.
Love in the big city is a masterpiece about struggling of personal growth, struggling of queer people who live in judgemental, heteronormative and conservative society such as South Korea, struggling of people who are in searching of eternal love, who are searching stability in life. Other than that, this book also shows about love, traumas, ups and downs, happiness and regret, book about the people who are just trying to live their lives.