layoversandliterature's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
clairebartholomew549's review against another edition
5.0
This is such an interesting book. The writing is stunning - pastoral France and England come alive throughout, and it was easy to imagine Agnes in all these places - and the bond between Fabienne and Agnes is richly discussed and expanded upon and detailed. Despite being a sort of sleepy book where not much happens, I found myself eager to come back to it every time I put it down, perhaps because Agnes’ inner life is very engaging. The book perfectly captures the attachment of childhood friends, how it can be both incredibly unhealthy and degrading and also incredibly fulfilling and vulnerable, and how for some it borders on or is romantic love (definitely for Agnes, probably for Fabienne too, in ways she could not express and instead communicated by pretending to be Agnes’ boyfriend Jacques). The Woodsway school Agnes is shipped to is a fascinating dark fairytale and an indictment of how adults want to use children and exploit class differences. The more I write this review, the more I realize I really liked this book and find it really meaningful. The world wanted a lot from Agnes, but all she wanted to do was be with Fabienne forever. Everyone told her that wasn’t possible (they were expected to grow up and get married, they lived in a poor village, they were not allowed to be creative or alone, etc.), but she only ever listened to Fabienne, and when Fabienne told her that wasn’t possible, she finally believes her. And it’s a really devastating ending that shows how fragile childhood is. Overall, a really stunning book.
lily_daisy's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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? N/A
4.25
kathann's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
3.25
homefreys's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A strange and wonderful story about two best friends in rural post-war France. One of those novels that so precisely describes a feeling from childhood that you almost forgot you ever had now that you're an adult. Unexpected, dark, and thoroughly engrossing.
luckypuffin's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thoroughly enjoyed! The writing style was very captivating and the content thought-provoking. It was an insightful exploration of an unlikely pair of friends trying to make their own way in the world (one seeing all the morbidity before their time, the other half-ignorant to the ways of the world.) I would have given it five stars but the second half didn't have quite the same acidity and compel as the first half - nearly a 5, just not quite. Would definitely read more works by yiyun Lee.
cfish's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
vspinazola's review against another edition
3.0
3.5. The first half of the book was well written and compelling, but the second half seemed repetitive. I also felt that the goose metaphor was a bit forced - I probably would've been fine with it until the very end. Still, beautiful writing and supremely unique story.
dianawhit's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
isabelromero's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75