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thebakafied's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
sas_lk's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Probably the first short story collection I've truly liked.
Story 1: Diary of a Murderer [5 stars]
By far my favourite, this was so good. I felt like I was losing my mind with the character. I was so engrossed in this story and I myself started questioning reality; started questioning what I had read, my understanding, and everything around me. Diary of a Murderer tells a story of a serial killer that is diagnosed with dementia.
Story 2: The Origin of Life [5 stars]
In The Origin of Life, Kim perfectly portrays the selfishness of humans. We, as humans, always like to think of ourselves as selfless, and that we would do anything to help others.
However, this is not really true. Once we meet someone with a sad story, we convince ourselves that we want to help them; to save them. What we actually want is to feel like we are good people, that we are selfless. However, in the end, once we escape the sad story, we're usually just happy that we survived in the end, and that it was only the other person who has to live with their sad life.
That's why the people we try to save are usually so tired, because they have seen this obsession with their own sad story before.
Story 3: Missing Child [3.5 stars]
This one was just sad to be honest, I felt a sense of dread throughout the whole story. It's about a couple who's son gets kidnapped when he is 3 years old. 11 years later, they get a call saying that their son has been found. However, the son had no idea he was kidnapped, and therefore his parents are strangers to him, and he a stranger to his biological parents.
Story 4: The Writer [2 stars]
The Writer was my least favourite story of all of them. I think I need to do more research because I think that I probably missed the point the author was trying to make somewhere. This story is about a writer that has to write a book for his new publisher, however, he is convinced that the publisher is sleeping with his ex-wife. He decides to write a nonsensical novel to spite the publisher.
Story 1: Diary of a Murderer [5 stars]
By far my favourite, this was so good. I felt like I was losing my mind with the character. I was so engrossed in this story and I myself started questioning reality; started questioning what I had read, my understanding, and everything around me. Diary of a Murderer tells a story of a serial killer that is diagnosed with dementia.
Story 2: The Origin of Life [5 stars]
In The Origin of Life, Kim perfectly portrays the selfishness of humans. We, as humans, always like to think of ourselves as selfless, and that we would do anything to help others.
However, this is not really true. Once we meet someone with a sad story, we convince ourselves that we want to help them; to save them. What we actually want is to feel like we are good people, that we are selfless. However, in the end, once we escape the sad story, we're usually just happy that we survived in the end, and that it was only the other person who has to live with their sad life.
That's why the people we try to save are usually so tired, because they have seen this obsession with their own sad story before.
Story 3: Missing Child [3.5 stars]
This one was just sad to be honest, I felt a sense of dread throughout the whole story. It's about a couple who's son gets kidnapped when he is 3 years old. 11 years later, they get a call saying that their son has been found. However, the son had no idea he was kidnapped, and therefore his parents are strangers to him, and he a stranger to his biological parents.
Story 4: The Writer [2 stars]
The Writer was my least favourite story of all of them. I think I need to do more research because I think that I probably missed the point the author was trying to make somewhere. This story is about a writer that has to write a book for his new publisher, however, he is convinced that the publisher is sleeping with his ex-wife. He decides to write a nonsensical novel to spite the publisher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Dementia, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Gun violence
itsacsa's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Terminar este libro me dejรณ con mรกs preguntas que respuestas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
claudiashelf's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
โ ๐๐ช๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ข ๐ด๐ฌ๐ช๐ญ๐ญ๐ง๐ถ๐ญ ๐ฌ๐ช๐ญ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ณ, ๐ข ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ฆ๐ต ๐ช๐ด ๐ด๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ฐ ๐ด๐ฆ๐ช๐ป๐ฆ๐ด ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐จ๐ถ๐ข๐จ๐ฆ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ถ๐ญ๐ต๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ต๐ฆ๐ญ๐บ ๐ฌ๐ช๐ญ๐ญ๐ด ๐ช๐ต. โ
I read somewhere thatโ โWhen dealing with them, you must imagine yourself as a suspect or murderer.โ as I read this book, everything on this book felt like I was reading someone elseโs diary, a murdererโs diary, or even my diary, who knows? Well, the title of this book describes it perfectly and it suits the entire book. Yet the author of this book knows how to surprise the readers in an emotionally disturbing way. This bookโs writing style is incredible; it reads like Iโm reading someoneโs personal diary, complete with dark comedy, poetry, and theoretical allusions.
Nonetheless, the author knows how to play with my emotions ( and probably other readers as well. ) because I was about to express empathy for the main character, but then I thought that empathy could not be freely shown. In this book, heโs not only playing a detective father, but he also has one more murder planned.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Murder
courto875's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Kidnapping
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Abortion, and Abandonment
clavishorti's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Diary of a Murderer: And Other Stories by Kim Young-Ha is a collection of four short stories that captivate readers with their intriguing narratives and skillful storytelling. Delving into the complexities of life, identity, and relationships, the anthology encompasses a range of emotions, from suspenseful thrillers to heartfelt reflections.
The opening story, "Diary of a Murderer," chronicles the journey of Kim Byeongsu, a former serial killer grappling with Alzheimer's disease. This story will bring you into his mind as he faces various problems, including the firm decision to carry out one final act of murder in order to protect his daughter, Kim Eun Hee. Written in a unique diary-style narrative, the story cleverly weaves dark humor and poetic elements, delivering a suspenseful and immersive reading experience.
In "The Origin of Life," the author explores the relentless pursuit for a sense of belonging amidst the perpetual transience of living conditions since childhood. The central character, Seojin, experiences a profound yearning for a true 'origin' to return to, adding depth to the thematic complexity. Emotionally connected to a girl named Ina, Seojin's relationship with her offers profound insights into the intricacies of human connections and bonds. In Seojin's eyes, Ina represents the epitome of his source of origin, resulting in a deeply intricate connection. The story takes an unexpected shift in its storytelling approach, which may momentarily puzzle readers, including myself. Nevertheless, as the plot unfolds, the story gains momentum, delivering a fast-paced and captivating reading experience.
The third story, "Missing Child," movingly depicts the heart-wrenching journey of Yunseok and Mira as they desperately search for their lost child. Similar to the preceding stories, this plot exhibits a comparable level of complexity. Themes of loss and mental well-being, particularly depression, enrich its emotional depth, eliciting strong empathetic responses from readers. The author adeptly intertwines these elements, crafting a resonant and thought-provoking reading experience.
Wrapping up the anthology is "The Writer," a story centered around a writer facing personal hurdles and experiencing a creative slump while working on a new novel for publication. Through the character Bak Mansu, this story offers insight into a writer's inner musings and thought processes. I found myself thoroughly captivated by the plot, as it proved to be a compelling and enthralling read. Diverging from the preceding three stories, "The Writer" includes explicit erotic scenes and delves into candid discussions about sexual matters.
In conclusion, Diary of a Murderer: And Other Stories is a captivating anthology, skillfully translated by Krys Lee to preserve the stories' distinctive allure without sacrificing accessibility. "Diary of a Murderer" rightfully takes its place as a standout centerpiece, solidifying its position as the title story. With its masterful deployment of plot twists and surprises, the anthology offers a captivating and emotionally resonant literary journey, making it a valuable and worthwhile addition to any reader's bookshelf.
The opening story, "Diary of a Murderer," chronicles the journey of Kim Byeongsu, a former serial killer grappling with Alzheimer's disease. This story will bring you into his mind as he faces various problems, including the firm decision to carry out one final act of murder in order to protect his daughter, Kim Eun Hee. Written in a unique diary-style narrative, the story cleverly weaves dark humor and poetic elements, delivering a suspenseful and immersive reading experience.
In "The Origin of Life," the author explores the relentless pursuit for a sense of belonging amidst the perpetual transience of living conditions since childhood. The central character, Seojin, experiences a profound yearning for a true 'origin' to return to, adding depth to the thematic complexity. Emotionally connected to a girl named Ina, Seojin's relationship with her offers profound insights into the intricacies of human connections and bonds. In Seojin's eyes, Ina represents the epitome of his source of origin, resulting in a deeply intricate connection. The story takes an unexpected shift in its storytelling approach, which may momentarily puzzle readers, including myself. Nevertheless, as the plot unfolds, the story gains momentum, delivering a fast-paced and captivating reading experience.
The third story, "Missing Child," movingly depicts the heart-wrenching journey of Yunseok and Mira as they desperately search for their lost child. Similar to the preceding stories, this plot exhibits a comparable level of complexity. Themes of loss and mental well-being, particularly depression, enrich its emotional depth, eliciting strong empathetic responses from readers. The author adeptly intertwines these elements, crafting a resonant and thought-provoking reading experience.
Wrapping up the anthology is "The Writer," a story centered around a writer facing personal hurdles and experiencing a creative slump while working on a new novel for publication. Through the character Bak Mansu, this story offers insight into a writer's inner musings and thought processes. I found myself thoroughly captivated by the plot, as it proved to be a compelling and enthralling read. Diverging from the preceding three stories, "The Writer" includes explicit erotic scenes and delves into candid discussions about sexual matters.
In conclusion, Diary of a Murderer: And Other Stories is a captivating anthology, skillfully translated by Krys Lee to preserve the stories' distinctive allure without sacrificing accessibility. "Diary of a Murderer" rightfully takes its place as a standout centerpiece, solidifying its position as the title story. With its masterful deployment of plot twists and surprises, the anthology offers a captivating and emotionally resonant literary journey, making it a valuable and worthwhile addition to any reader's bookshelf.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Dementia, Car accident, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
neoralisa22's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Dementia, Murder, and Gaslighting
sas_ram's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Honestly my rating would have been much better if it was just the first story (Diary of a murderer). I liked how unreliable the narration was and that you never knew what's true. It was really interesting. The second one I honestly barely remember. Same with the fourth. The third one wasn't as strong as the first but much better than the second and fourth. It's about a boy who gets kidnapped as a young child and is returned to his family a decade later. He believes his kidnapper to be his real mother and the family falls apart. I wish it was more indepth. It was just missing something but it wasn't bad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Dementia, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Child death
geeters14's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
Moderate: Chronic illness, Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Gun violence
daneyyy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Murder