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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
Got about 25% into the audiobook and I really had no idea what was going on.
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The writing is good, and there is some fun and insightful commentary on modern society, but overall the narrative lacks punch and it’s not the most compelling read
This book was okay, but around the 85% mark there was a paragraph that made me absolutely hate the entire book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Religious bigotry
Minor: Religious bigotry
Such a unique read, but can be confusing in how it moves back and forth between mosaic short stories and overarching narrative. Some of the Cabinet 13 “files” are so interesting to think about, and Mr. Kong’s position as a call center-style point person for all of these odd cases prompts thought about how ordinary the extraordinary can be and vice versa. All that said, I don’t really know what this book wants to be or what it wants to say — I also wasn’t a huge fan of the overarching plot involving a syndicate trying to steal chimera files from Mr. Kong. Actually, I think keeping it ordinary would have been the better move.
Maaan what the fuck.
I really truly enjoyed the first 60% of this book, with the rotating stories of the “symptomers” and their abilities and experiences, it was funny and I liked these people with extraordinary things happening to them still just kept on with a normal life.
Now. The author lost me in the back 40% with the mafia showing up. Bc what do you mean? This is a man who answers phones and works a boring job, what is the mafia doing there? And the torture scene? No. Good bye.
I’ve noticed a theme in Korean literature that body horror just is in most things? And that’s interesting
I really truly enjoyed the first 60% of this book, with the rotating stories of the “symptomers” and their abilities and experiences, it was funny and I liked these people with extraordinary things happening to them still just kept on with a normal life.
Now. The author lost me in the back 40% with the mafia showing up. Bc what do you mean? This is a man who answers phones and works a boring job, what is the mafia doing there? And the torture scene? No. Good bye.
I’ve noticed a theme in Korean literature that body horror just is in most things? And that’s interesting
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
this book was so funny and insightful (even though that insight often became cynicism). I loved the main characters and the symptomers but was left feeling unsatisfied at the end
This book was entirely original, and for that it gets points, but I wouldn't necessarily call it good. The author has a zillion interesting ideas and it really felt more like a book of short stories that for some reason he tried to attach a narrative thread to. The individual stories of humans with strange abilities were entertaining and imaginative, but the overarching story of the custodian and collector of these stories was kind of useless and detracted from the strange beauty of the unique stories of the symptomers.
Recommend to fans of The Checquy Files, Etgar Kehret, and maybe Douglas Adams fans?
Recommend to fans of The Checquy Files, Etgar Kehret, and maybe Douglas Adams fans?