Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Haunting book with great clear writing. It leaves you with sadness.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I've read all of Han Kang's books now and this is by far the heaviest. It honestly feels strange to rate it. It's absolutely harrowing, unflinching and boldly told. I wish I had been more emotionally prepared for it.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Tragic and moving, learned a lot
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Torture
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Kang’s reflections on the politics of the body, memory, trauma, guilt, and the nature of humanity are emotionally charged and provoking. At times, there seems to be an implicit, measured argument against political struggle, an attempt to underscore its futility and the risks it poses to the fragility of human life, but this is quickly countered by Kang’s deeper message: that even in the face of death and the subsequent trauma born of immense tragedies, to stake one’s life for something greater than oneself is to claim one’s humanity, to affirm humanity itself. “Human Acts” proves to be a perfect title for this impressive, impassioned work.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I think this is an objectively good book I read at the wrong time, i.e., being too stressed to give it the attention and the focus it deserves. The trauma and grief feel real and the book also tells about an interesting historical events I had hardly heard of before. Somehow, the book just didn't properly click with me.