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charliechorlie's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
1.5
Graphic: Ableism and Sexual assault
slaskin1's review against another edition
3.0
Very well written, but I’m not a fan of generational magical realism also lots of content warnings that were very troubling and not fun for me to read at times
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Transphobia
yaporfavor's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.25
Graphic: Ableism, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Incest
rachelmaria's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
I would score the first half of the book 4* and the second half 2*, as my interest started to dwindle the more cruel and capatalist Geumbok became, but then ended strong as my heart broke for Chunhui.
Graphic: Ableism, Fatphobia, and Rape
thesapphiccelticbookworm's review against another edition
Graphic: Ableism and Sexual content
othersociologist's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Ableism, Rape, and Torture
jayisreading's review
4.75
Whale will make a lot more sense if you’re familiar with modern (South) Korean history. It will be a startlingly thought-provoking read as Cheon explores this history with incredible depth through his themes and characters as allegories of the brutality and violence that South Koreans have faced throughout the twentieth century. I can see why Cheon deliberately chose women as his protagonists, though I fully recognize the discomforts that come with a male writer putting female characters in horrific situations. It’s complicated, to say the least, and I’m still trying to process how I feel about all of this.
This probably isn’t the most insightful reflection, but it’s mostly because I need to sit with this book a bit longer. I will say, though, that this is the first time that I felt Cheon did wonders in addressing han throughout Whale. (I realize han is a disputed concept, with South Koreans not really thinking much of it while the Korean diaspora have made it a large part of their identity. I think it’s something well worth considering in Whale, though, when you historically contextualize it.)
I think this is one of those books that will have polarizing opinions. You’ll either find it repulsive, but others will find it brilliant. I happen to fall in the latter category, but it definitely comes with complicated feelings about the delivery.
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Self harm
vb_marie's review against another edition
2.5
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Gore, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Excrement, Car accident, Abandonment, and Alcohol
purplemuskogee's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
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Graphic: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail