Scan barcode
powderysweetgirly's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
Oh man, when I say I cried, I cried! I honestly thought I'd give this book a 3 or 3.5 because the beginning was so boring to me, but it really picked up at part 3. This story does such a wonderful job of describing such complex topics and emotions. I don't even have words to describe the realism and wonder of this book. I just can't explain my emotions to this book, but I love it so very much
chantellereads's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
moth_dance's review
3.0
It's okay.
Nothing in the way this book is written really stood out to me. I found myself forgetting about a few characters and their situation in the story. The plot wasn't as interesting as I wanted it to be.
But I might return to it at another time for a reread.
Nothing in the way this book is written really stood out to me. I found myself forgetting about a few characters and their situation in the story. The plot wasn't as interesting as I wanted it to be.
But I might return to it at another time for a reread.
quiteliterary's review against another edition
3.0
this was so dramatic i don’t know how to feel about it lol
pitaku's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
letstalkaboutbooksbaybee's review against another edition
2.0
I really really struggled with the writing style of this book. Everything was so freaking slow, and not in a pretty poetic way. In a “it takes 3 chapters for one small event to happen” way.
I also freaking hated how Victor, a white Frenchman, had the entire epilogue from his POV when the story is about a Korean woman. He ain’t shit and the sex scenes between them were so freaking dry and boring, I’ve seen better scenes on daytime soap operas. Totally omittable.
While the book itself was not my favorite, I am still grateful I read it so that I could learn a bit about Korea from a time period I knew nothing about prior to opening this book. It’s tied to real people and real events and I had a lovely little Wikipedia binge one night while I dug deeper into the setting.
But it’s never a good sign when the Wikipedia page is more riveting than the novel.
I also freaking hated how Victor, a white Frenchman, had the entire epilogue from his POV when the story is about a Korean woman. He ain’t shit and the sex scenes between them were so freaking dry and boring, I’ve seen better scenes on daytime soap operas. Totally omittable.
While the book itself was not my favorite, I am still grateful I read it so that I could learn a bit about Korea from a time period I knew nothing about prior to opening this book. It’s tied to real people and real events and I had a lovely little Wikipedia binge one night while I dug deeper into the setting.
But it’s never a good sign when the Wikipedia page is more riveting than the novel.
notlikewater's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
filiparferreira's review against another edition
4.0
Este livro e a sua protagonista fazem-nos pensar como a Coreia devia ser misteriosa para os países do ocidente no final do século XIX, mais ainda que a China e o Japão que até estavam na moda na época. Ainda hoje visitar este país é quase como descobrir um segredo, e encontrar quem tenha lá ido para poder partilhar experiências não é tão fácil assim. Entristece-me a frase do Goodreads «no one you know has read this book». Gostava de poder discuti-lo com quem conheça bem a história do país e as suas tradições. Há uma parte desta história que é verdadeira, não sei bem qual. Trata de um diplomata francês, coleccionador de antiguidades, colocado na Coreia, onde fotografa, compra porcelanas e livros antigos, colecciona chinoiseries. E de uma jovem orfã, de origem humilde, que cresce no palácio junto da rainha, se torna dançarina da corte e que, por se ter cruzado na infância com um missionário francês, fala a sua língua e o encanta. Como pano de fundo as lutas entre Japão, China e Rússia pelo poder no extremo oriente. A absoluta servidão daquela mulher, perdida entre ocidente e oriente, que quase nunca nos mostra o seu coração. O interesse amoroso do homem europeu, que apesar de genuíno se confunde com posse, numa atitude quase colonialista. A questão dos orfãos, o papel dos missionários, o tocador de flauta mudo e a vida como criada na corte real com as suas intrigas e maldades. E a apropriação de património cultural de outras nações em nome do quê? Da civilização?...