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paocroce's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
4.0
francescazksxmc's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Don't die. For God's sake don't die.
I enjoy a book like this, but I can see why it falls flat for a lot of people. The concept of the book itself (Kang's meditations on the colour white in relation to grief, mourning, and loss), sets it up to be repetitive and unmoving. I think it's a good reflection of the way grief works, and how it can seem static while trying to process loss. It is cyclical. I think it also works in this context because Kang never knew her sister (who died as an infant before Kang was born), and I like that the colour white gradually takes on a deeper and deeper meaning as you plough on through.
I don't think this book was meant to be read in one sitting, but that is what I and many others have done. I also don't think it's meant to seem entirely polished. Han Kang is a wonderful writer, and though many of her 'mini-essays' in The White Book feel unfinished and seem to repeat the same idea over and over, it's interesting to see them as the raw thoughts of a woman in the process of reflecting and finding repetition in her own grief.
I cried after reading this book but not entirely because of the writing. I think a lot of this book's power comes from the things it forces you to think about, and how you choose to respond. It's so black-and-white, which I think a lot of people gloss over. It's MEANT to be this way, and it's meant to be still and calm, not vibrant and dynamic in the way people are expecting. The colour white represents Kang's slow method of processing, but it is not one-dimensional.
This life only needed one of us to live it. If you had lived beyond those first few hours, I would not be living now. My life means yours is impossible.
It's upsetting to read this book, and some of the writing is beautiful, but with that said it's still getting three stars. It's a good book with good content and a good premise. I think for it to be rated any higher, I would like for it to be a novel and not merely meditations (and I get that some of this might be due to translation). It's a new favourite of mine for the way it makes me feel, for the interesting concepts, and for how it is inspiring my own writing at this point.
I enjoy a book like this, but I can see why it falls flat for a lot of people. The concept of the book itself (Kang's meditations on the colour white in relation to grief, mourning, and loss), sets it up to be repetitive and unmoving. I think it's a good reflection of the way grief works, and how it can seem static while trying to process loss. It is cyclical. I think it also works in this context because Kang never knew her sister (who died as an infant before Kang was born), and I like that the colour white gradually takes on a deeper and deeper meaning as you plough on through.
I don't think this book was meant to be read in one sitting, but that is what I and many others have done. I also don't think it's meant to seem entirely polished. Han Kang is a wonderful writer, and though many of her 'mini-essays' in The White Book feel unfinished and seem to repeat the same idea over and over, it's interesting to see them as the raw thoughts of a woman in the process of reflecting and finding repetition in her own grief.
I cried after reading this book but not entirely because of the writing. I think a lot of this book's power comes from the things it forces you to think about, and how you choose to respond. It's so black-and-white, which I think a lot of people gloss over. It's MEANT to be this way, and it's meant to be still and calm, not vibrant and dynamic in the way people are expecting. The colour white represents Kang's slow method of processing, but it is not one-dimensional.
This life only needed one of us to live it. If you had lived beyond those first few hours, I would not be living now. My life means yours is impossible.
It's upsetting to read this book, and some of the writing is beautiful, but with that said it's still getting three stars. It's a good book with good content and a good premise. I think for it to be rated any higher, I would like for it to be a novel and not merely meditations (and I get that some of this might be due to translation). It's a new favourite of mine for the way it makes me feel, for the interesting concepts, and for how it is inspiring my own writing at this point.
66artemis's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lorenzosivilotti's review against another edition
4.0
Serene and meditative, yet with a swirling emotional core; akin to the soft and silent ballet of a fresh snowfall. 7/10
e_kamil20's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
dinah56's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. It is a small book, packed with meditations on the color white. Touches so many emotions: sadness, hope, emptiness, fulfillment.... A calming and beautiful read.
ana_qq's review against another edition
4.0
Num estilo próximo da poesia, esta autora sul-coreana aborda o sofrimento de ter nascido após a morte da irmã.
A narrativa é não linear, cada mini-capítulo é um pequeno apontamento sobre um objecto branco (a neve fria, o sal que cura a ferida, o seixo branco que traz para casa, a geada que arrefece o lago, o brilho da água, a farinha de arroz dos bolinhos da mãe, etc).
Achei a escrita bonita e delicada, etérea e algo oriental. Às vezes tenho dificuldade em entender aquela beleza simples e despojada do extremo-oriente, mas este não foi o caso.
A narrativa é não linear, cada mini-capítulo é um pequeno apontamento sobre um objecto branco (a neve fria, o sal que cura a ferida, o seixo branco que traz para casa, a geada que arrefece o lago, o brilho da água, a farinha de arroz dos bolinhos da mãe, etc).
Achei a escrita bonita e delicada, etérea e algo oriental. Às vezes tenho dificuldade em entender aquela beleza simples e despojada do extremo-oriente, mas este não foi o caso.