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bootsmom3's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Child abuse, Islamophobia, Sexism, Cursing, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Medical content, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Confinement, Torture, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Racism, Sexual violence, Suicide, Rape, and Sexual assault
friya's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Wow. I hardly know how to begin. This book has definitely earned a spot on my favorites list.
Such a heartbreaking story. Every character is nuanced and deeply flawed, but I found myself rooting for nearly all of them. Kyung, especially - I felt so disappointed each time he made a bad choice (and he made a lot of bad choices) because I truly wanted him to succeed. I felt so deeply connected to all of the characters.
Jung Yun's writing is perfect, neither too over- nor understated. The prose is nothing groundbreaking but it doesn't leave anything to be desired, either.
One of the reviews on the back of the book reads, "Yun's debut may be a family drama, but it has all the tension of a thriller." I couldn't say it better. This is NOT a thriller, as I have seen other reviews suggesting - it is true literary, but the most gripping literary I've ever read.
This book is about the cruelty of tradition, the contagiousness of violence, and the strength it takes to overcome it all. At the heart of the story is the idea that it is never too late to make a change; the power to show love is always within us, even if all we have ever known is hate. Cannot recommend enough - I was hooked from beginning to end.
Such a heartbreaking story. Every character is nuanced and deeply flawed, but I found myself rooting for nearly all of them. Kyung, especially - I felt so disappointed each time he made a bad choice (and he made a lot of bad choices) because I truly wanted him to succeed. I felt so deeply connected to all of the characters.
Jung Yun's writing is perfect, neither too over- nor understated. The prose is nothing groundbreaking but it doesn't leave anything to be desired, either.
One of the reviews on the back of the book reads, "Yun's debut may be a family drama, but it has all the tension of a thriller." I couldn't say it better. This is NOT a thriller, as I have seen other reviews suggesting - it is true literary, but the most gripping literary I've ever read.
This book is about the cruelty of tradition, the contagiousness of violence, and the strength it takes to overcome it all. At the heart of the story is the idea that it is never too late to make a change; the power to show love is always within us, even if all we have ever known is hate. Cannot recommend enough - I was hooked from beginning to end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Rape
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Blood
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