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emsemsems's review
3.0
Read this right after finishing Murata’s [b:Earthlings|50269327|Earthlings|Sayaka Murata|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580144195l/50269327._SY75_.jpg|64972303], and for some reason (that I can’t as of now put a finger on) – Lee’s novel reminded me of hers. Not the themes, or the plot. Not even the style. But that gross, uncomfortable feeling that both novels carry. The first quarter of Lee’s novel was a serious mess (but a rather well-composed mess). It was almost unbearable for me even though I've read a fair amount of ‘transgressive’/bizarre fiction. I was about to stick it in my DNF pile after the first pages, but (again, I am unsure why that is) I stuck with it until the end. Some reviews/readers considered Lee’s novel (the ending) as a ‘feel-good’/heartwarming novel at its core, and I strongly disagree with that.
I like open/loose endings when done well, but this felt like a lot was unresolved. There was a rather clear ‘closure’, but I felt like it was a bit ‘sickening’ (for a lack of a better word). There was no proper confrontation(s), and each character simply ‘moved on’ and felt ‘comfortable’ with each other. Surely, an indefinite cycle of ‘toxic’ relationships (to put it plainly), undoubtably. ‘Toxic’ breeding ‘toxic – inter-generationally. As much as this mimic a lot of ‘real-life’ domestic conflict – or the way people tend to ‘resolve’ familial issues, I personally find that absolutely nauseating and offensive – both in fiction and otherwise. It makes me question the (personal) views of the writer.
Also, a rather clever play on classic ‘folk tales’/myths (albeit lightly used/referenced), but the translation was a bit of a bad cringe on and off – particularly the idiomatic lines/expressions (clichés and whatnots). I often enjoy translations that are done by more than one translator, but this particular work didn’t feel like it has any ‘cohesion’ to it. Ironically the translation work was done by a ‘couple’ (or at least that was how they were introduced in the book). The reason I was able to make it through the end might be because of the beautiful construction of the setting. I thought the ‘road trips’ (albeit brief) were particularly well-written.
I like open/loose endings when done well, but this felt like a lot was unresolved. There was a rather clear ‘closure’, but I felt like it was a bit ‘sickening’ (for a lack of a better word). There was no proper confrontation(s), and each character simply ‘moved on’ and felt ‘comfortable’ with each other. Surely, an indefinite cycle of ‘toxic’ relationships (to put it plainly), undoubtably. ‘Toxic’ breeding ‘toxic – inter-generationally. As much as this mimic a lot of ‘real-life’ domestic conflict – or the way people tend to ‘resolve’ familial issues, I personally find that absolutely nauseating and offensive – both in fiction and otherwise. It makes me question the (personal) views of the writer.
Also, a rather clever play on classic ‘folk tales’/myths (albeit lightly used/referenced), but the translation was a bit of a bad cringe on and off – particularly the idiomatic lines/expressions (clichés and whatnots). I often enjoy translations that are done by more than one translator, but this particular work didn’t feel like it has any ‘cohesion’ to it. Ironically the translation work was done by a ‘couple’ (or at least that was how they were introduced in the book). The reason I was able to make it through the end might be because of the beautiful construction of the setting. I thought the ‘road trips’ (albeit brief) were particularly well-written.
wisestudent's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.5
elisala's review against another edition
4.0
Une impression mitigée, avec une narration très détaillée, donc assez lourde, un peu comme ça: "j'ai fait et j'ai pensé ça, et je me demandais pourquoi il avait dit ça et après j'ai fait ça". En plus le déroulement de l'histoire paraît, malgré cette narration "fleuve", assez chaotique, les relations entre les épisodes ne sont pas toujours évidentes.
Mais (hé oui, il y a un mais), des petites perles de poésie, de sentiments apparaissent ici ou là, et puis l'histoire gagne en cohérence, on comprend mieux où on va, les relations entre les personnes, leurs caractères s'éclaircissent et ça devient tout à fait charmant et beau.
Autant de poésie dans une narration aussi détaillée (pointilliste, presque), c'est incroyable, mais c'est vrai, et c'est agréable.
Mais (hé oui, il y a un mais), des petites perles de poésie, de sentiments apparaissent ici ou là, et puis l'histoire gagne en cohérence, on comprend mieux où on va, les relations entre les personnes, leurs caractères s'éclaircissent et ça devient tout à fait charmant et beau.
Autant de poésie dans une narration aussi détaillée (pointilliste, presque), c'est incroyable, mais c'est vrai, et c'est agréable.
spacestationtrustfund's review against another edition
3.0
이승우는 심오한 주제를 다루면서도 인물의 내면에 대한 정밀한 묘사와 유려한 문체, 풍성한 서사로 그 관념성조차 이야기 속에 자연스럽게 녹여내는 작가이다. 문학동네 한국문학전집 제7권인 그의 장편소설 『식물들의 사생활』(2000)은 한 가족 안에서 벌어지는 좌절된 사랑의 고통을 식물적 교감으로 승화해가는 과정을 처절하고도 아름답게 풀어낸 작품이다. 노벨문학상 수상 작가인 르 클레지오는 한국 작가 중에서 노벨문학상 수상 가능성이 가장 높은 작가로 이승우를 지목하면서 특히 『식물들의 사생활』에 대해 어떻게 읽어도 고갈되지 않는 무궁무진한 작품이라 극찬한 바 있다.
spacestationtrustfund's review
3.0
『식물들의 사생활』 (식물 plant + 들 -[plural] + 의 -[of] + 사생활 private life): "The Private Lives of Plants" by Yi Seungu (이승우). Translation by Louis Vinciguerra and Inrae You Vinciguerra.
eoneon's review
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
really easy to read, kept wondering what namjoon would think about it, does he have a tree soul? very admirative of the dad, how his heart is just full of love
oriane's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ptibouh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0