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A review by abcace
Vagabonds by Hao Jingfang
challenging
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I picked this up expecting science fiction, but I think literary fiction is a more apt description of the genre.
This book was slow-paced and meandering, and often the language was beautiful in a way that made me take a breath. I felt very much outside the story though; while it was gorgeous writing, I wouldn’t have said that I felt a deep connection to the plot. It felt more like a series of dialogues than a story. I was still surprisingly connected to the characters. If you had asked whether I felt very emotionally attached to any of them I would have said no, but the ending was deeply moving and I cried.
Overall, I don’t know anyone in my life who I’d recommend it to and I honestly don’t think I’m ever going to read it again, but I’ll remember this one for a while and I will keep my eye out for further books from Hao Jingfang.
This book was slow-paced and meandering, and often the language was beautiful in a way that made me take a breath. I felt very much outside the story though; while it was gorgeous writing, I wouldn’t have said that I felt a deep connection to the plot. It felt more like a series of dialogues than a story. I was still surprisingly connected to the characters. If you had asked whether I felt very emotionally attached to any of them I would have said no, but the ending was deeply moving and I cried.
Overall, I don’t know anyone in my life who I’d recommend it to and I honestly don’t think I’m ever going to read it again, but I’ll remember this one for a while and I will keep my eye out for further books from Hao Jingfang.