Reviews

The Majesties by Tiffany Tsao

adazzlinggirl's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

keeper_of_dark_materials's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective 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

4.5

There are parts of this book that are so haunting. The end confused me a little about whether Gwendolyn and Estelle were the same person á la dissociative identity disorder, or if Gwen was severely hallucinating towards the end, but I don't think that took away from the main point of the story.

Absolute power corrupted absolutely, so they say. And Tsao would seem to agree with this statement. The use of the bagatelles and their behavior altering fungus is one of the best metaphors I have ever seen. 

This book is dark and twisted in the most delicious way, and it reads like a ghost story. 

ctinkkk's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.25

misspalah's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

At this juncture in her story, Estella removed her mittens, pried the lid off her eggnog, confirmed that none was left, and sighed. I repeated Leonard's words, incredulous: "What happened to the woman I fell in love with?' What the hell did he mean by that?" Estella smashed the empty cup between her palms and rivulets of cream trickled down her wrists. She flung the remains into the back seat and licked her hands clean, the left one first, then the right, like a cat. "Same thing as

'I thought our life together would be different,' I suppose." Only years later would we find out what he actually meant. We had driven up to see the monarchs, supposedly, but I'll admit that they didn't make much of an impression on me. I was too fixated on Estella, and my memories are primarily of the effect they had on her— how happy she was, how entranced; the gasp that escaped her when she spotted the first sleepy cluster, dozens of wings folded at rest on a drooping eucalyptus branch; the brightness in her eyes as she watched the livelier ones flit about in the cold sunshine. The sight of my sister's pleasure only heightened the excitement I'd been feeling since the start of our journey. Watching her was like watching a hungry child devouring a sundae, face aglow and smeared with chocolate sauce, chin dripping melted ice cream. We only stayed two nights in the end, returning to LA as giddy and giggly as schoolgirls who'd just come back from playing truant.

• The Majesties by Tiffany Tsao

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I was immediately captivated by the story. The family's secrets, the characters, and their extravagant lifestyle fascinated and repulsed me. The plot begins with Gwendolyn waking up in a hospital bed, the only survivor of a poisoning that killed her entire family that orchestrated by her sister, Estella. As Gwendolyn, who is now disabled and unable to speak, tries to understand her sister's motives and Povs by recalling back their complex relationship - those hidden memories and dark secrets. Their close relationship never recovered especially when Leonard came in between them and on top of that, he did become abusive towards Estella at some point in the marriage. Eventually, they mended the bond between them right before the whole massacre. Gwendolyn feels guilty for not being there for Estella after her husband's death and struggles to accept her own role in the tragedy. I have to say despite Gwendolyn being the reliable narrator is the story, you really can’t help but empathising with both of them, Gwendolyn and Estella. The toll of keeping family secrets, ingrained in their prestigious Sulinado lineage within the Chinese-Indonesian community, becomes evident as their sanity unravels. The story initially introduces numerous characters, reflecting the vast Sulinado clan, but gradually brought the focus on Gwendolyn and Estella. Tiffany Tsao did well in pulling the readers to join Gwendolyn's quest in understanding her sister's actions and it drives the narrative forward. The novel intricately weaves together the complexities of elite Chinese-Indonesian society with historical events like the 1998 riots, providing context to the characters' struggles amidst societal upheaval. It unflinchingly exposes the excesses and corruption of the privileged class, contrasting with the challenges faced by the marginalized Chinese-Indonesian population. I know many said it’s a mixture of gone girl and crazy rich asian but i would say those comparison is just a crime in itself. Comparing "The Majesties" to "Crazy Rich Asians" oversimplifies the former, disregarding its depth and complexity. While both novels feature affluent ethnic Chinese families in Southeast Asia, they differ thematically and narratively. "The Majesties" did surpass my expectations, with its richly layered narrative culminating in a hauntingly poignant conclusion. Skillfully written and deeply evocative, it showcases the author's storytelling prowess—a vivid, immersive tale that lingers in the mind long after the final page.

disnelyse's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

erinbirnel's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

2.75

amywhoisawesome's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

floating_sky's review against another edition

adventurous informative mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

Pros:

“when your sister murders 300 people you can’t help but wonder why, especially if you were one of the intended victims …” First novel line immediately grabbed me and held attention throughout book! Listened as a part of “Read around the world challenge”. Overall enjoyed storytelling. 

tidbit of culture reference illumined Chinese-Indonesian experience. For example, describing Chinese experience, in America vs Indonesia. 

Cons: 
Voice between characters were inconsistent. Narrator wasn’t ideal fit for story. Ending was unexpected but elegant writing.

bookwormdaily's review against another edition

4.0

 “We’re sick, Doll. Gravely ill.” 

 

This book talks about rich Chinese-Indonesia family, their privilege and what they need to do to get to their position now. It is very dense since it also covers so many horrible acts of politics in Indonesia. it has family drama, love, and sisterhood combined. 

At first, I find a little bit difficult to catch up with the pace and plot line, but as the story goes I became more intrigued with the story that was being told and wanted to know more. 

The main learning aspect that I got from this book is to have empathy despite the privilege that I have. 

hellomei's review against another edition

informative mysterious tense medium-paced

4.75

bought this because i read tiffany tsao's essay "monsters made, not begotten" and thought it fucked supremely. the book did not disappoint - it took me a few pages to get into but once i was there i was there. it's written very. quietly... it's not a flashy book with dramatic scenes, but unsettling stuff happens quietly in the same way they would happen within the family the story is about ygm. all the family dynamics and grievances and secrets feel very true to life (because in a lot of ways it is - read her essay!!!!!!!!). i'm not sure how i feel about the ending, but i also don't know what i wanted and it wrapped things up nicely so ultimately i'm chill lol. it was very good :) i want to read more stories set in SEA that look into what's disturbing or complex about everyday things.