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minniepauline's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
This is a well-crafted novel and an original coming-of-age story. I really enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Child death, Sexual content, Suicide, and Alcohol
Child neglect, underage drinking/drugsacrilogy's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This story really stayed with me. I don’t know the to can give a coherent review but there were some things Lescure did beautifully and the feelings of isolation, of loss, of being alone in such a massive city…excellent. It was a difficult read and somehow did manage to put me back in my teenage years in a way that went beyond melancholy. There’s such a pang of hurt and loss that’s carried throughout the story.
I don’t think I could read this again but I appreciate that I did.
I don’t think I could read this again but I appreciate that I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
art_anthology's review against another edition
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
3.75
The whole book i was feeling hmmm...theres something missing.
I cant really describe it but it felt like a really long opening that did not build up for the conclusion. The final portion was definitely the best (the last few pages... ehh...) I felt like Alva's development was rounded off. She felt the very archytype of a buildingsroman but sadly Lu Fung felt like background support which yes was needed, but only since Alva's POV was weak.
There doesn't seem much development in Lu Fungs perspective after becoming step father to Alva and the past Lu fung seems like a different person, where the changes i feel cant be attributed to time and circumstance. But I think more intresting points could be disscussed especially considering the length of the book.
Such as the fetishism surrounding Asian bodies specifically, a good and relastic portrayal of sloaneSally was crafted.
Additionally the Hentai Lord stuff really caught me off guard. But it was used well as a tool for digital exploration and curiosity within Alva's character. I think subjects around the saftey of children in the domestic was well considered. But child saftey as soon as it left the home felt like the tone was dangerously neutral.
But this fell short at the meeting between Alva and Daniel, its not at all nessesary. Having a one on one chat or negotiation with a pedophile while you are the victim of their actions is not in anyway "clearing debts". Like to even suggest that this meeting occurs is absolutely crazy to me especially unaccompanied and while Alva is experiencing flash backs.
I cant really describe it but it felt like a really long opening that did not build up for the conclusion. The final portion was definitely the best (the last few pages... ehh...) I felt like Alva's development was rounded off. She felt the very archytype of a buildingsroman but sadly Lu Fung felt like background support which yes was needed, but only since Alva's POV was weak.
There doesn't seem much development in Lu Fungs perspective after becoming step father to Alva and the past Lu fung seems like a different person, where the changes i feel cant be attributed to time and circumstance. But I think more intresting points could be disscussed especially considering the length of the book.
Such as the fetishism surrounding Asian bodies specifically, a good and relastic portrayal of sloane
Additionally the Hentai Lord stuff really caught me off guard. But it was used well as a tool for digital exploration and curiosity within Alva's character. I think subjects around the saftey of children in the domestic was well considered. But child saftey as soon as it left the home felt like the tone was dangerously neutral.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Infidelity, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Suicide and Abortion
_inge's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
This book gripped me from the second I started it. I really enjoyed the first half; Alva’s story was a great coming of age story, Lu Fang’s story felt less captivating to me, as it didn’t really tell me anything new and was too focused on whether he’d get into a relationship or not. Gradually Lu Fang’s character changed and his story therefore did get more interesting for a while. The writing is quite good too, though sometimes a bit too descriptive for me. Some words got repeated quite a lot too, like ‘squirt of sperm’ or ‘partner’, meaning those words lost their emotional meaning quickly. But still, I initially found this a captivating read.
Unfortunately, about midway through both Alva and Lu Fang’s storylines got too bleak for me. In the first half there’d be hope for better times, but as both Lu Fang and Alva face traumatic experiences that hope got lost. At certain points it felt like the author was piling on misery to get the story to continue, even though what I’d enjoyed in the first half was the subtle frictions or discussions on identity. How Alva is perceived in her school environment was really interesting to read about, as was seeing how she perceived herself. This got lost in the traumatic events that unfolded in the second half.
Unfortunately, about midway through both Alva and Lu Fang’s storylines got too bleak for me. In the first half there’d be hope for better times, but as both Lu Fang and Alva face traumatic experiences that hope got lost. At certain points it felt like the author was piling on misery to get the story to continue, even though what I’d enjoyed in the first half was the subtle frictions or discussions on identity. How Alva is perceived in her school environment was really interesting to read about, as was seeing how she perceived herself. This got lost in the traumatic events that unfolded in the second half.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Sexism, Rape, Child death, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Grief, Sexual content, Racial slurs, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, Racism, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, and Child abuse
Moderate: Pregnancy, Car accident, and Physical abuse
hegesteindal74's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, and Grief
bonkyboot's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Suicide, Rape, Death, and Self harm
kaddictwithapen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Infidelity, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Suicide, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Death, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Toxic friendship, Racism, Self harm, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, War, and Violence
clare72_reading's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
A coming of age story, well written with good pacing. I may have appreciated it even more if I've watched a couple of the films referenced, a Brecht play and known Chinese fairytales but that didn't stop me enjoying it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Suicide, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Abortion
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