thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.25
reading untold night and day, it's apparent that bae is a capable writer. my issue w/ this book, however, is its much too overt focus on themes and style at the cost of the story.
the dreamlike nature and constant overlaps that are continuously revealed throughout the course of the book make for an interesting - albeit at times confusing - read, and it certainly feels like a mystery novel. after reading the translator's note, i also appreciate the book and bae's choices more, esp in regards to the themes.
nevertheless, i think the aforementioned comes at the expense of the story itself. the pace meanders along, and a novel i initially expected to finish in a day ended up taking a whole week. for those who dont mind a book very focused on themes and style, they might enjoy this, but as a reader who wants at least some semblance of a story and emotional impact in my reading experience, im unfortunately not one of them.
the dreamlike nature and constant overlaps that are continuously revealed throughout the course of the book make for an interesting - albeit at times confusing - read, and it certainly feels like a mystery novel. after reading the translator's note, i also appreciate the book and bae's choices more, esp in regards to the themes.
nevertheless, i think the aforementioned comes at the expense of the story itself. the pace meanders along, and a novel i initially expected to finish in a day ended up taking a whole week. for those who dont mind a book very focused on themes and style, they might enjoy this, but as a reader who wants at least some semblance of a story and emotional impact in my reading experience, im unfortunately not one of them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Abandonment
mxpringle's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I enjoyed the premise and how dream-like the author's writing was, but I feel like I finished this book feeling like nothing had even happened in what I'd read. Not to mention that the end scene of the book (no spoilers) was hands down the most uncomfortable things I've ever read, and not in a good way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Suicide, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
m4rtt4's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
2.5
I am confused, this definitely needs a second read
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Death, Suicide attempt, Medical content, and Suicide
seulgireads's review
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer and Death
molly_rose's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Cultural appropriation, Death, and Gaslighting
aidamaria_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Untold Night and Day by Bae Suah is a book that seems to be a fever dream with just enough reoccurring patterns in it that keep you on the lookout for some form of logic that keeps the whole thing together. If I have to describe it in a single sentence, I’d say: This book is all the stories it could have been. Maybe, if you’ve read it, this makes sense to you. Also, maybe it doesn’t. But this is what I’ve taken from it. I’m giving it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating, since this book is great if you like looking for hidden clues, reoccurring themes and parallels. However, I prefer stories that are a little less vague and I didn’t particularly considered the characters to be very likeable. If you prefer questions over answers and enjoy reading peculiar books, this is the one for you! 💭
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Infidelity, Mental illness, Murder, Sexual content, Stalking, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
annescorner's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.0
I'm not entirely sure what I read... It was confusing, weird, just unlike anything else I've ever read. I don't know if it really was a real story, or if it was two ghost-like creatures playing with the readers mind. I don't know what was real and what not, as parts overlapped, intertwined but also juxtaposed. The heat is the only thing I'm sure about in this story. But even though it was confusing, I liked the writing style and the weirdness of it - though there surely are big question marks in my mind right now.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, Car accident, and Blood
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