A review by hostile
Notes of a Crocodile by Qiu Miaojin

challenging emotional funny reflective medium-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

5.0

Whenever I read Notes of a Crocodile and reach that point towards the middle where the confusion and misery of Lazi's first heartbreak breaks open into growth, into attempts at understanding and reaching out towards herself and others, into lovingly recalled friendships my heart feels so big I worry it'll explode. And sometimes I feel so much grief that I look for Qiu's ghost in all of her words like I could save her (or myself) if I could just look hard enough for the cracks. That is until she's got me laughing at Meng Sheng, spellbound over her wonderfully absurd crocodile scenes, and I remember she was alive when she made this, that she had the bravery and love and determination to write a novel like this in spite of everything. I miss her forever and ever. ❤️🐊