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archiveofrasa's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Rape, Self harm, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Mental illness, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
peach_haze's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Toxic friendship
lam's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Homophobia and Suicidal thoughts
katialena's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Self harm, Blood, and Kidnapping
saraellington_'s review against another edition
- 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
2.5
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual harassment
novantithesis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
lesenilpferd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual harassment
helenamarijke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Misogyny and Self harm
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Sexism, Blood, and Stalking
biblioghoul's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Abandonment
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty and Sexual harassment
clara_mai's review
5.0
What I have to add is that I also really appreciated the afterword that Shin Kyung-sook wrote for this edition. She reflects on the novel, which was originally published in 2001, talks about the writing process and provides a bit of political context. Her comments on the protagonist San reinforced my feelings toward and connection with her as a character. Last but not least, the translation by Anton Hur is just beautiful. While reading I had the feeling that the translator must have really understood the themes and characters in order to convey the story in this way and the author apparently felt the same, because she remarks on Anton Hur's connection to the work in her afterword.
Graphic: Animal death, Misogyny, and Self harm
Moderate: Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Blood