Reviews

We, the Survivors by Tash Aw

camillebergeron's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Like this was good i think i just didnt rly take much in tbh
I did like the semi interview style as a choice i just think it could have been executed a little better

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment

abi73x's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

coffeemybook's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

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

1.0

paulsnelling's review against another edition

4.0

Malaysian man tells his story to a book writing journalist. Initially comfortable for the time and place he falls rapidly for reasons which tell us much about the society. His quiet resignation as his story unfolds is harrowing in places.

essjay1's review against another edition

4.0

Enjoyed the setting (Malaysia) and the way he has brought to light the immigrant workers that keep the rich countries supplied with cheap labour.

yellowstainedwall's review against another edition

4.0

Tash Aw depicts the lives of labor workers and how insignificant their life seem. In crime and tragedy, we see the life of a man as time passes him. It feels at time like he is stationary and everything else is moving around him. "We the Survivor" may drag at time, it tells a story worth telling - of immigrants and what people do to survive.

yanieeeeee's review against another edition

3.0

Not a fan of Tash Aw's nonlinear writing style, but I liked how this book dissected social inequality and class privileges. It is interesting to note the ethnicity Ah Hock's character considering how the Chinese in Malaysia are considered to control the economy and yet, we see Ah Hock suffering in poverty. It is also interesting to note the disconnectedness of Tan Su-min's character with every social commentary she makes prompted by the smallest inconveniences in her life. The rich and the poor truly have different things to worry about and different ways in which they filter the world.

Overall, I enjoyed the book.

mrswythe89's review against another edition

Audio

agirlandabook85's review against another edition

4.0

This was a really interesting read, set in Malaysia it tells the story of Ah Hock a convicted murderer. Told in a non linear narrative we learn of his life leading up to that day he took a life which as it transpires is being told via interview. This narrative is interspersed with short chapters covering his life in the present day.

The story is a slow burner, it is an exploration of his thoughts and memories trying to understand why he did what he did on that day and due to its non linear delivery you have to piece together the puzzle that is Ah Hock’s story. It was a teasing narrative you would skirt around the murder and then it would jump to another point in time and the reader was left hanging.

This book above all made me think, it posed questions about corruption, social mobility, prejudices and the effect of a business decision made in a boardroom on the other side of the world can have on an individual life.

I really enjoyed this book my only slight criticism is I wanted to learn more about his current life I had so many unanswered questions when it finished.