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deimos_'s review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
markake123's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
ayaisreading's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
And so eventually we were free, free to go wherever we would.
savannah53's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I knew nothing about the Gwangju uprisings before I read this book, so this was a very heart-wrenching and eye-opening way of learning of the atrocities that were committed. The way in which the story is told is very clever and original, although it can sometimes be slightly confusing to know which characters POV you’re reading and how they are all connected. Nonetheless, I really did enjoy this, as much as one can “enjoy” a confronting and often brutal story rooted in historic events. If, like me, you know nothing of the events that occurred on 18 May 1980 in Gwangju, South Korea, I really encourage you to pick this book up.
linaaaaaaaaaaaa's review against another edition
4.0
I was able to feel the trauma, like I was there myself
honeylemon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This was a difficult read, in a good way. While some stories resonated with me more than others, I felt I was able to take away something from each story. This is a sad book with very little positives thrown in, but very much worth to read.
georgia_sara93's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
In 1980 there was a 10 day massacre following a student being shot at a university based protest in Gwangju, South Korea. This book follows experiences fictionalised of some of those who loved him.
This book is dark, it is heavy, and all based in a dark reality I still know little about. But ultimately, as the title suggests, it was based on human acts. This was a 12 recommended by 12 friends. And it’s one I think that’s going to sit with me for a long time. I studied history at school, at university and still major historical events like this I only learn about by chance after a novel is written. This only happened 44 years ago. Welcome to being educated in the Western world I guess. Want history outside of a white lens? Work harder to find it I guess. Thanks for the recommendation @readbysez
This is one I don’t know if I can numerically rate.
nez_thebooklover_'s review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-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? No
3.75
audreylee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Brutality and intense grief. A wavering time line. A hard read for such a short novel.
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual violence, Torture, and Violence