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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
llams's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Self harm, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Sexual assault
the_nook_of_tomes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Rape and Sexual harassment
ajoyr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Minor: Sexual assault, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
i think the use of flowers and planting as a metaphor and stylistic tool in the novel's interesting and has great potential, however in its current form it unfortunately skewers the story's narrative form. shin's execution renders the book a meandering slog to soldier thru esp in the beginning, one whose focus shifts between the flowers and san's mental state, and when all's said and done, that doesnt make for an enjoyable reading experience for me, despite how compelling it can be at times.
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Infidelity and Terminal illness
elybntz'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? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
hannah_cogo'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: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
geeters14's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Self harm and Sexual assault
Moderate: Mental illness, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
soffemf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and War
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