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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my second book by Tan Twan Eng. I read The house of Doors earlier this year. This book was certainly its equal. Others I am sure will describe the gorgeous prose - it is breathtaking - so I will add the the female protagonists in these books are so well drawn and nuanced that I can think of few in my current reading to compare.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Beautifully written, atmospheric novel exploring World War Two and its long lasting impacts in Southeast Asia. I learnt so much from this book but it was told in such a quiet way.
Some really beautifully poetic lines throughout. It sensitively tackles themes of grief, war and trauma, for both victims and perpetrators.
Some really beautifully poetic lines throughout. It sensitively tackles themes of grief, war and trauma, for both victims and perpetrators.
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fascinating and well written, with many layers progressively revealed.
Quite good; kept me reading. Interesting, especially in learning about Malaya and the Japanese Occupation. Lots of themes - good for discussion.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
One of the most atmospheric books I had the pleasure of reading. Strong set of characters haunted by their pasts, a garden where time stands still in a fast changing, destructive world. Loose endings and uncertainty, which are fitting.
Beautifully and creatively written. A favorite line which I wish I could quote, spoke of a spider web sieving insects out of the air. This book gives you lots to think about in regards to us all being human and contradictory. Definitely a unique book, I rationed my reading so as to savor it.