maxzell's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't read historical fiction in a long while, and I definitely haven't read anything like this. It's a pretty wild story: ~1000 immigrants leave Korea for Mexico just before Korea is absorbed as a Japanese colony. The story skips around a lot from character to character as the Korean immigrants move from plantation life to freedom to being caught up in the Mexican revolution. Some characters we get to know better than others, sometimes to a fault. I think that might just be a trope of the genre, though. Despite the lack of intense characterization, we get a strong feel for the community as a whole and its individual members drives and desires. It's a very interesting read, and I definitely learned a lot along the way.
spacestationtrustfund's review against another edition
2.0
『검은 꽃』 par Kim Yeongha (김영하). Traduction du coréen en français par Im Yeonghui (임영희) et Françoise Nagel.
Ce petit volume mince a toutes les caractéristiques d'un auteur qui tente d'écrire une fiction historique pour la première fois. Racontant l'histoire véridique de 1,033 coréens partis émigrer au Mexique au début du XXe siècle, qui sont vendus à leur insu à des propriétaires terriens, après quoi ils travaillent sur des plantations de sisal et doivent s'adapter aux conditions de vie d'une terre hostile. Quarante-deux d'entre eux s'enfoncent dans la jungle pour rejoindre la révolution au Guatemala, tandis que d'autres fondent un état éphémère sur le site maya de Tikal. Un bon essai, mais pas de cigare, pour ainsi dire.
Ce petit volume mince a toutes les caractéristiques d'un auteur qui tente d'écrire une fiction historique pour la première fois. Racontant l'histoire véridique de 1,033 coréens partis émigrer au Mexique au début du XXe siècle, qui sont vendus à leur insu à des propriétaires terriens, après quoi ils travaillent sur des plantations de sisal et doivent s'adapter aux conditions de vie d'une terre hostile. Quarante-deux d'entre eux s'enfoncent dans la jungle pour rejoindre la révolution au Guatemala, tandis que d'autres fondent un état éphémère sur le site maya de Tikal. Un bon essai, mais pas de cigare, pour ainsi dire.
qomareads's review against another edition
3.0
Too long, too details and the abruptly change in plot, characters introduced not that smoothly. Tbh there’s too much characters to remember but I enjoyed the history and war parts. Something new to my knowledge. Black Flower - dedicated to the 1033 people who left Jemulpo Harbor in 1905.
pamxramirez's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
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? No
3.75
e_graz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
keliwurly's review against another edition
5.0
One of the first Asian literature I have touched on, and possibly one of the best I've read.
I love fiction that runs closely along the historical timeline. This just does everything, and tells not only of the minimally documented Korean history, but it also talks about the Mexico revolution.
I love fiction that runs closely along the historical timeline. This just does everything, and tells not only of the minimally documented Korean history, but it also talks about the Mexico revolution.
blugoat's review against another edition
3.0
I feel like I was supposed to love this book, but it just didn't do it for me..
My mom said the book's language was beautiful and poetic in Korea, so maybe it was a translation thing? It was eye-opening, but in terms of how much I enjoyed the plot, it was just ok
My mom said the book's language was beautiful and poetic in Korea, so maybe it was a translation thing? It was eye-opening, but in terms of how much I enjoyed the plot, it was just ok
shukriabdullah's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
2.0
whatannikareads's review against another edition
stopping at chapter 31– no hate on the book! just put too many books on hold and now I need to turn my attention towards them + not in the mindset to read historical fiction rn