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safiyabintsaleh 's review for:
If You Leave Me
by Crystal Hana Kim
TRIGGER WARNING: suicide, depression
This book ripped my heart to shreds and then stomped all over them. It was so real that I've been at a loss for words. I don't know what to say because so much was raw and true.
When I say this book is realistic, I mean the characters are messy and they make mistakes and they are completely imperfect. They don't have perfect arcs and the ending is a complete slap to the face in that it's slapping the reader back into reality. It's a wonderful but painful representation of how people are in real life.
IF YOU LEAVE ME is a generational story that follows Haemi, the man she married, and the man she could have married. While the book alternates between their perspectives and the eyes of the people around them, it is Haemi's story to the core. It tells the tale of what was and what could've been, while also reminding readers that while the idea of what could've been seems like the better option, it might've actually not been as perfect as the imagination would dream it.
The characterization in this book was incredible, to say the least. Each character is shaped by their experiences and some of them develop in a way that made me want to scream and slap sense into them. At the same time, their arcs made too much sense, so I can't put any blame there. Even the minor characters came to life. I adored Hyunki with all of my heart and I really wish he had more page-time.
I really, really wish there was more I could say, but I'm still floored. I'll say that this book tackles really, really dark elements. It's an adult book and everything is as realistic as things can get. It's more focused on that than happy and hopeful things.
I'll admit that there were parts where I felt the story was dragging a bit, but when it picked up pace, it hooked me. It's definitely worth it if you give it time and read with patience.
However, please remember there is a major trigger warning for suicide and depression. I haven't read a book that explored it in such depth, especially since this is an adult book. A good part of the book focuses on depression and suicide and I advise everyone to read with care.
I'm very glad I got to read this book. It was a brilliant way to spend my weekend, and I appreciate all the realistic commentary. It definitely gave me another view on life and I definitely want to re-read it soon!
This book ripped my heart to shreds and then stomped all over them. It was so real that I've been at a loss for words. I don't know what to say because so much was raw and true.
When I say this book is realistic, I mean the characters are messy and they make mistakes and they are completely imperfect. They don't have perfect arcs and the ending is a complete slap to the face in that it's slapping the reader back into reality. It's a wonderful but painful representation of how people are in real life.
IF YOU LEAVE ME is a generational story that follows Haemi, the man she married, and the man she could have married. While the book alternates between their perspectives and the eyes of the people around them, it is Haemi's story to the core. It tells the tale of what was and what could've been, while also reminding readers that while the idea of what could've been seems like the better option, it might've actually not been as perfect as the imagination would dream it.
The characterization in this book was incredible, to say the least. Each character is shaped by their experiences and some of them develop in a way that made me want to scream and slap sense into them. At the same time, their arcs made too much sense, so I can't put any blame there. Even the minor characters came to life. I adored Hyunki with all of my heart and I really wish he had more page-time.
I really, really wish there was more I could say, but I'm still floored. I'll say that this book tackles really, really dark elements. It's an adult book and everything is as realistic as things can get. It's more focused on that than happy and hopeful things.
I'll admit that there were parts where I felt the story was dragging a bit, but when it picked up pace, it hooked me. It's definitely worth it if you give it time and read with patience.
However, please remember there is a major trigger warning for suicide and depression. I haven't read a book that explored it in such depth, especially since this is an adult book. A good part of the book focuses on depression and suicide and I advise everyone to read with care.
I'm very glad I got to read this book. It was a brilliant way to spend my weekend, and I appreciate all the realistic commentary. It definitely gave me another view on life and I definitely want to re-read it soon!