cr8299's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This novel comes out as a single ray of hope that one needs to keep on going. Written so simply, it conveyed deep meanings and reality of human lives in one way or another.
This is a must-read novel.
This is a must-read novel.
igemona's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
eveemilie's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
democratwaifu's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
eshafe41's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dom_millennium's review against another edition
5.0
THE GOOD: At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book or not.
The story of "To Live" is really a sad one, but a realistic one at the same time. Life is suffering, and nobody seems to suffer more by the fate of their loved ones than the main character Fugui. What is truly remarkable is that even though fate can be cruel at times, Fugui never ever gives up and even seems to find the positive in a little things as life goes on.
THE BAD: There are no chapters, and the style of writing (even though translated) feels very much like a Chinese written book. Which I guess really started to grow on me as the story progressed.
THE UGLY: If I have to find any fault at all, perhaps it has to be that the book is too short and that I wished it was somehow longer. However, I really enjoyed this story. By the end, I felt like I had lived with Fugui and gone through his troubles as well. Seeing his transformation at the end of novel really gave me hope that I can learn through my travails as well. I am instantly adding this book to my list of "favourites" as I will never forget the story of Fugui and his family. Thank you so much Yu Hua.
rinnie's review against another edition
4.25
this book was so depressing lol but so startling in how it clings to the idea of survival. delightful to read directly after we the survivors ! (this is a joke). such a stark and simple writing style
sblkrstl's review against another edition
5.0
Akıcı dili ve kurgusuyla beni hemen içine çeken nadir kitaplardan biriydi. Okurken içimi kaplayan derin hüzün duygusu kitabın son sayfasına kadar etkisini sürdürdü. Ben kitabı sevdim, okumanızı tavsiye ederim.
“Fakirlik adamın hırsını köreltir.”
“Yavaş kanar çırpan kuş, erken uçmaya başlamalı.”
“Her gün yorgunluktan ölene kadar çalışınca, başka şeyler için endişe edecek vaktiniz kalmıyor.”
“Yaşamaya devam etmek zorundasın!”
Derler ki: “Bir felaketten kurtulunca ardından güzel günler gelir.”
“Bütün aile her gün bir arada olduğu sürece, paranın ne önemi vardı?”
“Umudumuzu yitirirsek nasıl yaşardık?”
“İnsanların unutmaması gereken dört kural vardır: Yanlış söz söyleme, yanlış yatakta uyuma, yanlış eşikten girme, elini yanlış cebe atma.”
“İnsan ne kadar şanslı olursa olsun, ölmek istiyorsa hiçbir şey onu yaşatamaz.”
“Fakirlik adamın hırsını köreltir.”
“Yavaş kanar çırpan kuş, erken uçmaya başlamalı.”
“Her gün yorgunluktan ölene kadar çalışınca, başka şeyler için endişe edecek vaktiniz kalmıyor.”
“Yaşamaya devam etmek zorundasın!”
Derler ki: “Bir felaketten kurtulunca ardından güzel günler gelir.”
“Bütün aile her gün bir arada olduğu sürece, paranın ne önemi vardı?”
“Umudumuzu yitirirsek nasıl yaşardık?”
“İnsanların unutmaması gereken dört kural vardır: Yanlış söz söyleme, yanlış yatakta uyuma, yanlış eşikten girme, elini yanlış cebe atma.”
“İnsan ne kadar şanslı olursa olsun, ölmek istiyorsa hiçbir şey onu yaşatamaz.”
sevdezeynep's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
simonator's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Absolutely devastating and a profound insight into human suffering.