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valentijn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This by far by favourite book of literature that I have ever read. It is beautifully dark exploration of life under an oppressive regime in where all expression is judged, equalised and unified. It is one of the few books that contain quotes that I find so beautifully worded that I wanted to write them down to use them in daily conversations.
Our story follows an arrogant young university student that tries to impress a girl with his intellect. When she does not recipacte his interest, he becomes upsets and tries to shock her. When the authorities see the letter, he is faces severe consequences of his speech and has to leave university. The book then tells of his life afterwards as a political outcast, a struggle to find himself after being ousted from his community identity, the relationship between folk stories & modernity and how to find your place after being abandoned.
It goes pretty dark places at times, so don't read it if you're sensitive to stories involving (sexual) abuse. The connection to "cancel" culture, it should be said, seems to me overstated and an attempt to force a modern narrative onto a story where it does not fit and does not benefit from it.
Our story follows an arrogant young university student that tries to impress a girl with his intellect. When she does not recipacte his interest, he becomes upsets and tries to shock her. When the authorities see the letter, he is faces severe consequences of his speech and has to leave university. The book then tells of his life afterwards as a political outcast, a struggle to find himself after being ousted from his community identity, the relationship between folk stories & modernity and how to find your place after being abandoned.
It goes pretty dark places at times, so don't read it if you're sensitive to stories involving (sexual) abuse. The connection to "cancel" culture, it should be said, seems to me overstated and an attempt to force a modern narrative onto a story where it does not fit and does not benefit from it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent