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c1airebe4r's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.75
weird shit real cool
sksrenninger's review against another edition
3.0
I've felt similarly about all the Lisa See books that I've read: none of the major characters have been particularly sympathetic, and the plots have been at times very predictable, but for some reason I keep reading the books and keep thinking about them after I finish. A very strange mix of annoying and deeply thought-provoking (for me, anyway).
nderiley's review against another edition
3.0
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book as I'm not even certain how I came across it. Although I found the first part a bit depressing, I came out at the end buying into the fantasy and enjoying myself.
inni91's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
avalazarov's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
grinchem's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
Peony in Love was an interesting read. A lot of terrible things happen over the course of the book, but ultimately I think it achieves its goals. The meaning of "Peony in Love" evolves over the course of the story, as Peony herself grows and changes. I didn't necessarily like all of it, but it succeeded in invoking emotion throughout. This felt true to the intent, and it kept me engaged all the way through. Peony is tells a deeply heartfelt story, for better or for worse.
mxcoyote's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It's a sad book about love.
ovenbird_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this. I know almost nothing about the history of China and have no idea if the author depicts 17th century China with any accuracy, but I can't really bring myself to care. The world created was vibrant, infused with ritual, and spectacularly colourful. The book is based on a true story and I was particularly drawn to the theme of women's voices, writing, and power that formed a major part of the narrative. A key theme is a desire to be heard that is so deep it transcends death itself. This is a ghost story, but also a very human tale of desire, love, tradition, repression, and intellect. It speaks to the transformative and even deadly power of the written word and the desire of repressed women to harness some of this energy.
Finally, this is just a good love story--tragic, heart-rending, dramatic. Makes Romeo and Juliet's devotion look laughable (and I never liked that story anyway!). This one is far better.
Finally, this is just a good love story--tragic, heart-rending, dramatic. Makes Romeo and Juliet's devotion look laughable (and I never liked that story anyway!). This one is far better.
sleepyninja_'s review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
absolutely loved the details about 17th century china, very well done. but jesus christ the main character was so god damn annoying. girly lived the most privileged life and starved herself because she THOUGHT she wasn't gonna marry her boo thang she spoke to 3 times. if u dislike miscommunication trope please do not read this.
andyourstruly's review against another edition
emotional
informative
3.25
It was well-written and well-researched, and I will be reading more of Lisa See in the future, but the story itself didn't really speak to me. Very dramatic, very feminist (but in a historical way, not modern feminism projected onto characters in a historical setting), very ... poetic. If you're interested in the transition between the Ming and Qing dynasty and what the roles and responsibilities of upperclass women (particularly in literature) were like, with a historical opera as the framing device and lots of superstition/cultural beliefs, then this will be a great book for you.