Reviews

The Disaster Tourist by Yun Ko-eun

shaunna_elaine's review against another edition

challenging reflective tense 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? Yes

4.75

karlosius's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

3.75

erinlcrane's review against another edition

4.0

This is a surreal story that I almost wanted to give 3 stars, but ultimately I think it’s thought provoking, so I went with 4 stars. I normally enjoy a more character driven story and these people feel flat, but it was so imaginative. It felt a bit like Sorry to Bother You in how off the rails it gets. It starts out surreal and just gets weirder. And that’s what I’d label it - surreal.

The beginning was weaker for me in that I think it takes too long to really get going. But once it got going, I was startled and drawn in. The other weaker bit for me was the romance if I can call it that. I didn’t feel the chemistry, so it read odd for me. It’s not a major part of the story at least.

I loved the commentary on our appetite for disaster and the horrible incentives this produces in a capitalist system. Yona is presented as both a victim and a participant. She is not important enough in the tourism company to enact change, so she rationalizes her acceptance of the situation. The difficulty in determining where to lay blame is touched on, too.

The finale was really fabulous and definitely helped push it to 4 stars.

bluemoons's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

3.0

soapie33's review against another edition

dark fast-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? No

3.75

sapphrite's review against another edition

dark reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I just thought this book was mid honestly. The first half of the book felt slow and I wish we got more out of the area Yona goes to and her, herself as well. The second half was more interesting and thought provocating but it felt like it was moving too fast and I couldn't lingure on those thoughts. By the end, I just didn't like any character (nor did I dislike them really). 

dee_cee's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

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

3.0

poisoned_icecream's review

challenging emotional funny reflective sad tense

• 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

5.0

9leopardi's review against another edition

adventurous informative medium-paced

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

2.0

csw217's review against another edition

1.0

This was a really puzzling book… I didn’t understand the main character at all? Maybe something was lost in translation? The plot took a bizarre turn and then the book declined the opportunity to have the big finale we were waiting for? Odd.