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babblingbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Death
kingsteph's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Miscarriage, Suicide, and Death of parent
abbie_'s review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
If you feel like being stressed to the max over the fate of an old man, his blind dog and a solitary ear of corn, this is the novella for you!
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The Elder and his dog Blindy, a former stray, are the only inhabitants left in their mountainous village after all the other people fled the drought in search of a gentler environment, food and water. The Elder doesn’t think he’d survive the journey, so he remains behind to watch over the single ear of corn he is growing - upon which their survival depends. Each they battle extreme hunger and thirst, launching a defensive against mother nature, her creatures and the unrelenting drought.
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Translator Carlos Rojas’ preface offers some context, as Yan Lianke was born in 1958, just before the Great Famine. That desperation to survive and overcome permeates this little novella, although I wouldn’t go so far as to call it ‘hopeful’. It’s very bleak, but the bond between the Elder and Blindy does provide some warmth.
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There’s also an interesting stylistic choice to do with speech in the original Chinese that the translator tried to reproduce using italics in translation, instead of speech marks. This is meant to blur the lines between the Elder’s inner world and his environment, as he is usually talking to non-humans, which drives home the sheer isolation endured by the Elder.
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So yes, recommended if you like your books super bleak! An interesting one to spend a couple of hours with. And I finally read something in tandem with #ReadtheWorld21, who are exploring East Asia this month!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Death