A thoughtful exploration of a complicated sibling dynamic, what it means to become and adult while feeling the weight of the world on you,Made me cry.
A thoughtful exploration of a complicated sibling dynamic, what it means to become and adult while feeling the weight of the world on you, and looking back at childhood. Written in a quite though-provoking form....more
The topics and the way in which they were explored were fascinating, making the book impossible to put down. Such a strong narI absolutely loved this!
The topics and the way in which they were explored were fascinating, making the book impossible to put down. Such a strong narrative voice, which I felt struck a perfect balance between humorous, lighthearted and doing justice to the serious, heavy themes....more
This second book I've now read by An Yu confirms that I love her writing style and what she chooses to focus on. Similarly to "Ghost Music", here we hThis second book I've now read by An Yu confirms that I love her writing style and what she chooses to focus on. Similarly to "Ghost Music", here we have a blend of slice of life (with a glimpse at strained relationships and new encounters) and magical realism, done in a really competent, engaging and seamless way. The imagery of the mysterious fish-man figure and the world of water were unique and memorable, slightly unsettling in the right way....more
I think this book's strenght is the painfully visceral way the author describes the hopelessness of corporate culture, the soullessness of tech bro stI think this book's strenght is the painfully visceral way the author describes the hopelessness of corporate culture, the soullessness of tech bro startups, the crushing feeling of having all your time stolen by work that you feel is useless or even actively harmful. I physically recoiled a couple of times reading some of the reflections, in a "ouch, that hits too close" way.
That being said, I felt the central metaphor of a black hole (as depression) was very heavy handed and the writing, to me, kept flipping between extremely real (when dealing with the topics of the horrible workplace, the crush of capitalism etc, which like I said I found very well done) and contrived or cliched (when describing interactions, relationships). But overall, I wouldn't say it detracted too much from the reading experience....more
I fell victim to my own expectations, because for some reason, either from the title or an incorrect glance at the description, I assumed this would nI fell victim to my own expectations, because for some reason, either from the title or an incorrect glance at the description, I assumed this would not be set in America and got excited, but alas.
Looking past this, the book was incredibly well written and insightful, resisting tropes, arcs and easy ways out, but maybe the structure needed more polishing. I will remember it for its honest depiction of a very ambiguous, unusual mother-daughter relationship....more
I can't put into words the indescribable feeling of loss I experienced as I read the last sentence and realized that this is the end and I will never I can't put into words the indescribable feeling of loss I experienced as I read the last sentence and realized that this is the end and I will never get to read this series for the first time again.
I will write a long review summarizing my feelings on the entire quartet, but right now I feel too raw. ...more
I did expect some more straightforward storytelling and musings on fandom culture, but this book is more on the absurd side and actually I think it woI did expect some more straightforward storytelling and musings on fandom culture, but this book is more on the absurd side and actually I think it worked in its favour. All characters speak in an unbelievably affected way and the narrator uses crazy, over-the-top similes but it just... makes sense in this setting. I don't know what Esther Yi says here exactly about fandom but do I need to? It was an interesting reading experience....more
I didn't love this, I feel a little disappointed. I adored Wilson's previous book and the incredibly genuine wUnpopular opinion time? 2.5 rounded up.
I didn't love this, I feel a little disappointed. I adored Wilson's previous book and the incredibly genuine way he writes about messy, awkward, real characters. These qualities were still present in this book and the characterisation, the portrayal of teenage angst and the realism of the dialogue were done great. But that's it! Unlike in "Nothing To See Here", I couldn't feel the stakes in this story and it lacked an emotional connection for me.
I think I just simply didn't buy the premise. The consequences felt very far-fetched to me. Two teenagers who want to make weird art, something that will leave a mark, create posters with mysterious art work and text, put them up all over town and then through some other circumstances the posters cause mass hysteria. I think I just had a hard time believing it - I don't know. Maybe it's the fact that they only did this one thing and then it spiraled out of their control that I didn't feel the emotional connection to their art and what it meant to them - they only ever did this one thing. For the majority of the second half of the book I kept thinking things like "where did this reaction come from?" or "surely that's an exaggeration?" and it made me a little irritated.
Sometimes great writing and insight into characters can't save the premise for me. ...more
This intense, short novel really packs a punch and I think it's due to its incredible structure and how the realisations come crashing down on Elena aThis intense, short novel really packs a punch and I think it's due to its incredible structure and how the realisations come crashing down on Elena at the end. Definitely a unique way to tackle the topic of bodily autonomy, and very well done at that. ...more
It's very dated (the butchphobia I really hated) but also kind of revolutionary for the time it was published. So pleasantly surprised to see a novel It's very dated (the butchphobia I really hated) but also kind of revolutionary for the time it was published. So pleasantly surprised to see a novel from the 70's in which lesbians are not de-sexualised, and allowed to be messy, complicated people....more
Again I'm speechless at the wonderful amount of nuance this series considers both when it comes to friendships and political topics. This installment Again I'm speechless at the wonderful amount of nuance this series considers both when it comes to friendships and political topics. This installment might be my favourite so far....more
It contains two themes that I rather dislike: dreams bleeding into reality and magical realism. AND YET. It fiWhat a great book to start my year with.
It contains two themes that I rather dislike: dreams bleeding into reality and magical realism. AND YET. It fit perfectly, it was done so well, I loved this. I felt immediately connected to the story through mushrooms, organisms that I find fascinating, that make a strange and unforgettable appearance right from the start.
Song Yan is a character that I found both sympathetic and relatable. Not in terms of our lives being similar, because they're not, but in the way her existential crisis was explored. It did make me stop and think. It comes together due to family secrets, Song Yan's relationship to her music and a (possible) ghost of a pianist - and incredibly, despite witnessing her descend into a mental breakdown where the reality becomes blurred, I felt that there was also a strong grasp on the surroundings and the real, mundane aspects of life.
I loved this so much. I hope this author's other work is just as good....more
Didn't sweep me off my feet the same way Autumn did, but it might have been my own fault. I've been having trouble focusing on reading lately, with alDidn't sweep me off my feet the same way Autumn did, but it might have been my own fault. I've been having trouble focusing on reading lately, with all the vacation/work/social occasions stuff going on, so it probably diminished my reading experience. Especially with a book that requires me to think more.
But when I got to the heated argument between Iris and Sophia about brexit I was SO immersed. And there is this essence in this book of like, tackling the social topics that we all think about, showing both people who care and those who pretend not to but doing it with such kindness and compassion. That, plus the very clever use of language. That's what I'm here for.