Reviews

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

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4.0

I was able to feel the trauma, like I was there myself

honeylemon's review against another edition

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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

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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.