Reviews

The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

aducharme4's review against another edition

dark reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Colonisation, and War

Moderate: Homophobia and Infidelity

lildraconis's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

estherswinter's review against another edition

dark tense slow-paced

3.75

murphyjc's review

dark reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

rirob54's review against another edition

5.0

My favorite book of 2015. Instant classic. Brilliant.

vynguyen's review

dark sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

colinfdavis's review against another edition

5.0

5 Stars |

One of my more intense reads, this novel provides the reader with a perspective on the Vietnam War and its aftermath that isn’t often heard in history lessons in North America. It’s vividly described making it often painful to read, but the dark humour from the narrator makes it a bit easier to digest. This is a book that will stick with me and change how I want to educate myself going forward.

sea_pier's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

carolgilabert's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• 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? Yes

5.0

hishandmaiden's review against another edition

challenging dark informative mysterious 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

2.0