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purpl_pages's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Pandemic/Epidemic
mimosaeyes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This is a bleak story for the most part, showing how people can devolve to ugliness and ruthlessness under extreme circumstances. Specifically, this happens along gendered lines, with most of the men in the story ending up in positions of power over women and children, and enacting violence on their bodies. They get killed or raped - content warning for that. In such bleakness, Jina and Dori's love for each other is positioned as a beacon of hope. Maybe not quite a beacon. A small, wavering flashlight at best. But still there.
I like how the backstories and relationships of the ensemble cast are fleshed out. I find Ryu and Dori especially compelling. On the other hand, the plot structure feels a bit anticlimactic. Awful things happen and the female leads have barely any agency, and then it just ends. On the plus side, though, the prose is really lovely at times. It's not flowery language, but it excels in getting across big ideas in simple images.
Moderate: Rape
litprof's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic
jenniiireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
dianahincureads'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? N/A
3.0
Graphic: Rape and Violence
Moderate: Physical abuse, Slavery, and War
amselot's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
anae2le'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? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and War
_robl_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Moderate: Death, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Murder, and War
jayisreading's review against another edition
4.0
Told in alternating perspectives from four characters (Ryu, Dori, Jina, and Gunji), this is where it started getting a little disorienting for me. I couldn’t quite follow what was happening, making the plot difficult to follow and the motives of these characters a little unclear. Yet, at the same time, I can’t help but wonder if this was deliberate. After all, these characters were unexpectedly uprooted from their homes to flee a deadly virus, making them just as disoriented and overwhelmed with grief, trying to figure out how to make their way across Russia in the dead of winter. At times, I accepted the author’s choice to create a story nearly devoid of a plot. Other times, I found it frustrating. Perhaps another reason why this book is a bit difficult to follow is because it’s not quite character-centered either.
I would say this book is more of an affective experience, in which you want these characters to make it, to continue to be resilient despite the bleak world they’re in and depressing situations they find themselves in. Somehow, Choi fostered a sense of hope in me as I made my way through this book, as unclear as it was at times. I think expecting more affect than anything else makes this book a lot more approachable to read.
I also liked Soje’s translation of this book. They found a good flow in pushing the story along and establishing the emotional states everyone was in. (A complete aside, but I absolutely love that there are more Korean translators emerging who are really able to address cultural nuances.)
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Rape, Violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Misogyny, and Suicide
Minor: Domestic abuse and Lesbophobia
_ciaran'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
3.5
Graphic: Death and Rape
Moderate: Physical abuse, Slavery, Murder, and War