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wollstonecrafty's review against another edition
Could have been way more fleshed out but I didn’t find the ending maddening or untrue at all - not sure what everyone else is talking about. Maybe I don’t think ambiguity is that lazy in a book fundamentally abt fruitless escape ?
lou_myr's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
armandosantana's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
plumdustsuns's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I think this is a book I’d need to reread in the future. There’s so much explored in terms of global economics, immigration, capitalism, identity, religion and group think. I found Candace’s struggles in relation to the capitalistic lifestyle and the droll it pushes against creativity extremely relatable. She gets her job contract’s money in the end, but simultaneously, it is also the end of the world, bananas and pastries browned. What good would this money do her now?
I need to think more about why Candace decided to keep the baby, and what it served to the plot beyond Bob’s importance to it and differences contrasted against Jonathan. I wonder if Luna served more for her and her mom’s relationship as well, her mom coming to her ti help her escape.
I was initially not happy about Bob being fevered and her escape being so easy, almost dues ex machine esque. But now that I think more about it, maybe it was indicative with the Shen fever’s metaphor, of doing daily tasks and routines and being stuck in it and what Bob was forcing upon the group and himself, triggered or exacerbated by childhood memories/nostalgia as was done for Ashley as well. Which I also need to think more about/figure out, what about the routines of childhood specifically, worsened the fever.
I also see the covers for the other languages are so beautiful. Why are we stuck with the plain pink cover for the English ones?
I need to think more about why Candace decided to keep the baby, and what it served to the plot beyond Bob’s importance to it and differences contrasted against Jonathan. I wonder if Luna served more for her and her mom’s relationship as well, her mom coming to her ti help her escape.
I was initially not happy about Bob being fevered and her escape being so easy, almost dues ex machine esque. But now that I think more about it, maybe it was indicative with the Shen fever’s metaphor, of doing daily tasks and routines and being stuck in it and what Bob was forcing upon the group and himself, triggered or exacerbated by childhood memories/nostalgia as was done for Ashley as well. Which I also need to think more about/figure out, what about the routines of childhood specifically, worsened the fever.
I also see the covers for the other languages are so beautiful. Why are we stuck with the plain pink cover for the English ones?
hlouie8's review against another edition
fast-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? No
5.0
caitlinhume's review against another edition
5.0
This was amazing, however, I do not recommend if you are at all disturbed or upset about Covid. Not a great time to read a book about how most of society is wiped out by a massive pandemic that originated in China... maybe wait til 2021 to read.
zachnachazel's review against another edition
2.0
Haiku Book Review:
Basically COVID.
A girl trying to survive.
Not my ideal book.
Basically COVID.
A girl trying to survive.
Not my ideal book.
sproutedpages's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Death, Confinement, Racism, Pregnancy, Death of parent, and Gun violence
Minor: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, and Drug use
garbgini's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
saccharinewoe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
even though i don't live in new york, the commentary on mindless consumerism in a late-stage capitalistic society that was touched on in this was painfully relatable for the city that i *do* live in. the concept of the mundanity of life and routine that we all eventually settle into turning us into zombies isn't new at all but i love how it was approached in this book. a fever easily spread, an illness anyone is susceptible to. touches on a couple more themes along with this one, like the complicated identity battle for diaspora kids and how cultism/autocratic leadership is bred in the face of a literal world-changing event. death, the transcience of memory and how that feeds into nostalgia even (which was masterfully weaved between the presentation of past and present). breezed through this one, i really liked ling ma's writing style; it was super easy to get sucked in and keep reading. i seriouslllyyyy enjoyed this so much, it might be one of my favourite books ever now!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Violence, Pregnancy, and Death