Scan barcode
archiveofrasa's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-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
5.0
this book is one of the kinds where if you get it, you get it; but also if you get it then it hurts so much more. I don't think many will get it but if you do I believe it'll stick with you.
the author's confirmation in her note at the end on what the story is about confirmed my suspicions and oddly enough helped me develop a really strong attachment to the story. I didn't expect to love it as much as I do. there is so much depth and it's so cleverly written. the writing style is very straight to the point and it may feel like you're just walking with San through her life without any plot/purpose, but I recommend keeping in mind what happened in the first chapter for the rest of the story to make sense. she never states how she feels out right and neither does the story, but that is essentially the point! the symbolism and character work really blew me away; what she does, her reactions to them, why she may be doing something. most things the author brings up has relevancy to it – there was no point in the story where I felt like it could have been shorter or some bits could have been cut out. I can tell the author put so much effort into this.
Violets read like it was ahead of its time, I can't believe it was written in 2001, especially considering the excellent accuracy to the sapphic experience, however subtle it is. I think the time period context is important to consider here in terms of the queer themes because queerness is never named yet there quite a few aspects that hinge on the understanding of how homophobic and misogynistic 70-90s Korean society was (and still is). it really felt like this book was written with today's understanding of queerness rather than 23 years ago and I adore it so much for that. I'm so happy this worked for me.
the author's confirmation in her note at the end on what the story is about confirmed my suspicions and oddly enough helped me develop a really strong attachment to the story. I didn't expect to love it as much as I do. there is so much depth and it's so cleverly written. the writing style is very straight to the point and it may feel like you're just walking with San through her life without any plot/purpose, but I recommend keeping in mind what happened in the first chapter for the rest of the story to make sense. she never states how she feels out right and neither does the story, but that is essentially the point! the symbolism and character work really blew me away; what she does, her reactions to them, why she may be doing something. most things the author brings up has relevancy to it – there was no point in the story where I felt like it could have been shorter or some bits could have been cut out. I can tell the author put so much effort into this.
Violets read like it was ahead of its time, I can't believe it was written in 2001, especially considering the excellent accuracy to the sapphic experience, however subtle it is. I think the time period context is important to consider here in terms of the queer themes because queerness is never named yet there quite a few aspects that hinge on the understanding of how homophobic and misogynistic 70-90s Korean society was (and still is). it really felt like this book was written with today's understanding of queerness rather than 23 years ago and I adore it so much for that. I'm so happy this worked for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Self harm, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Mental illness, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
mldutoff's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Suicide, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
juli_78's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Suicide
bookbeetlebabe's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Self harm
mollie_jane's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
ganseys's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.5
it had really beautiful writing but i just dont think i get it and thats okay
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Abandonment
Minor: Gore
hannasreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Suicide attempt
jayisreading's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.5
I don’t think I was in the right headspace to read and appreciate Violets to its fullest, because I really struggled to get through this novel. I found the pacing a bit too slow, and the ending threw me off a little. I also couldn’t wrap my mind around a particularly sad story at the time of reading. There’s a lot of quiet grief in these pages, and I will say that while I did have some trouble reading this novel, I did appreciate the reflective nature of the novel in thinking about suppressing queer desire, feeling isolated in South Korean society, and existing on the margins, all of which is further complicated by being a woman.
On an unrelated note, hats off to Anton Hur, as always, for a phenomenal translation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Self harm, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, and Blood
peach_haze's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Toxic friendship
shadannn's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
2.75
This rating wouldn've been lower if not for the epilogue and author's note. Most of this books was no plot just vibes except the vibes were.. just not it. I can appreciate the author's intent in writing this book, I just think that considering her inspirations, it could've been done so much better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Child abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Dysphoria