The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
claudiashelf's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.75
❝ 𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳, 𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘪𝘵. ❞
I read somewhere that— ‘When dealing with them, you must imagine yourself as a suspect or murderer.’ as I read this book, everything on this book felt like I was reading someone else’s diary, a murderer’s diary, or even my diary, who knows? Well, the title of this book describes it perfectly and it suits the entire book. Yet the author of this book knows how to surprise the readers in an emotionally disturbing way. This book’s writing style is incredible; it reads like I’m reading someone’s personal diary, complete with dark comedy, poetry, and theoretical allusions.
Nonetheless, the author knows how to play with my emotions ( and probably other readers as well. ) because I was about to express empathy for the main character, but then I thought that empathy could not be freely shown. In this book, he’s not only playing a detective father, but he also has one more murder planned.
Graphic: Murder and Kidnapping
courto875's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Suicide, and Kidnapping
Minor: Abandonment, Child death, Abortion, and Bullying
clavishorti's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The opening story, "Diary of a Murderer," chronicles the journey of Kim Byeongsu, a former serial killer grappling with Alzheimer's disease. This story will bring you into his mind as he faces various problems, including the firm decision to carry out one final act of murder in order to protect his daughter, Kim Eun Hee. Written in a unique diary-style narrative, the story cleverly weaves dark humor and poetic elements, delivering a suspenseful and immersive reading experience.
In "The Origin of Life," the author explores the relentless pursuit for a sense of belonging amidst the perpetual transience of living conditions since childhood. The central character, Seojin, experiences a profound yearning for a true 'origin' to return to, adding depth to the thematic complexity. Emotionally connected to a girl named Ina, Seojin's relationship with her offers profound insights into the intricacies of human connections and bonds. In Seojin's eyes, Ina represents the epitome of his source of origin, resulting in a deeply intricate connection. The story takes an unexpected shift in its storytelling approach, which may momentarily puzzle readers, including myself. Nevertheless, as the plot unfolds, the story gains momentum, delivering a fast-paced and captivating reading experience.
The third story, "Missing Child," movingly depicts the heart-wrenching journey of Yunseok and Mira as they desperately search for their lost child. Similar to the preceding stories, this plot exhibits a comparable level of complexity. Themes of loss and mental well-being, particularly depression, enrich its emotional depth, eliciting strong empathetic responses from readers. The author adeptly intertwines these elements, crafting a resonant and thought-provoking reading experience.
Wrapping up the anthology is "The Writer," a story centered around a writer facing personal hurdles and experiencing a creative slump while working on a new novel for publication. Through the character Bak Mansu, this story offers insight into a writer's inner musings and thought processes. I found myself thoroughly captivated by the plot, as it proved to be a compelling and enthralling read. Diverging from the preceding three stories, "The Writer" includes explicit erotic scenes and delves into candid discussions about sexual matters.
In conclusion, Diary of a Murderer: And Other Stories is a captivating anthology, skillfully translated by Krys Lee to preserve the stories' distinctive allure without sacrificing accessibility. "Diary of a Murderer" rightfully takes its place as a standout centerpiece, solidifying its position as the title story. With its masterful deployment of plot twists and surprises, the anthology offers a captivating and emotionally resonant literary journey, making it a valuable and worthwhile addition to any reader's bookshelf.
Graphic: Car accident, Domestic abuse, Murder, Dementia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness, Gun violence, Infidelity, and Violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
neoralisa22'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? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Dementia, and Gaslighting
sas_ram's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Dementia, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Child death
geeters14's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Stalking
Moderate: Chronic illness, Murder, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Gun violence
daneyyy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Murder and Dementia
mispaintedlady's review against another edition
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Murder, and Child death
Violence against women.serendipity421'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? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Dementia, Murder, Death, and Gore
Minor: Car accident
dalmavatai's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Violence