mushimilda's review against another edition
3.0
Des idées intéressantes, mais je n’ai trouvé ni les personnages ni l’intrigue particulièrement prenants. Les critiques pointées contre le dark tourisme sont pas très élaborées non plus. Moui.
roll_n_read's review against another edition
Really creative concepts and some powerful imagery and commentary. The whole book lived in a grey area of ever-so-slightly surreal characters and situations that gave it a sort of satirical vibe and because of that I’m not sure that I connected with the characters all that much. The story wasn’t a thriller by any means, but there was enough to keep me into it throughout.
angelahambaobao's review against another edition
5.0
A creepy, page-turning, surrealist work that provides scathing commentary on how the capitalist system exploits people's lives and work, people's obsession with trauma (and disasters) as long as it's not their own, and how mankind has wrought destruction upon Mother Nature. Yun Ko-eun packs a lot into this relatively short novel, with insight and dry humor. Highly recommend.
ponders's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Bong Joon-ho adaptation when???
Without giving too much away, this gave me the same feelings I had when reading The Man Who Was Tuesday by G.K. Chesterton. Its critiques are sharp, its beats are thrilling, and it has the conviction to keep following the premise to the bitter end. I loved every minute, and genuinely would love to see an adaptation. Initially I thought it might be more in the wheelhouse of Park Chan-wook, but by the end it’s Bong-ho or bust.
Without giving too much away, this gave me the same feelings I had when reading The Man Who Was Tuesday by G.K. Chesterton. Its critiques are sharp, its beats are thrilling, and it has the conviction to keep following the premise to the bitter end. I loved every minute, and genuinely would love to see an adaptation. Initially I thought it might be more in the wheelhouse of Park Chan-wook, but by the end it’s Bong-ho or bust.
book_loving_mango's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is a dark and unique story that critiques the tourism industry and examines dynamics of a specific type of abusive relationship. It’s so haunting and I loved every second of it
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
leiya_h's review against another edition
3.0
Great new idea and facinating tourism concept, was sold by the description due to personal interest as an earth scientist. But as the story progress it gets weirder and weirder and to far fetch. Since it's not a fantasy of a murakami-sque story the convoluted moral dilemma is the most cringing thing for me.
I finished it none the lest because it does makes you wonder how it should end. It ends just right but it's just not something I would read again.
I finished it none the lest because it does makes you wonder how it should end. It ends just right but it's just not something I would read again.
alexandratheroux's review
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The concept of this story is really disturbing - mainly because it's too close to reality. I can't decide if I would have enjoyed this book more (well, maybe "enjoyed" is the wrong word) if it was longer or if it's brevity made it what it was and adding more depth or detail would have ruined it.
rach_reads_books's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5