A review by ajnel
The Borrowed by Chan Ho-Kei

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Witten in an unusual style, where a larger story is told by using six novellas in reverse order.   Each armchair detective novella focuses on "the reveal", which is done in a style reminiscent of Doyle's Sherlock Holmes novels.  The main difference is the greater story told by the combined novellas.  This is a story rich in character development, philosophical  ideas and political comment.; which is where the essence of the author's penmanship comes out. Bar for translation leading to a more formal and less nuanced read than which I deduct does not align with the original Cantonese, the novel is a masterpiece! 4.5 / 5