Scan barcode
bzzkolla's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you NetGalley and Scribe UK for this eCopy to review
I really enjoyed Can't I Go Instead it was an epic story crossing different social classes, countries and the Korean War and WWII.
I don't know much about Korea and its Japanese Invasion so this book was truly eye opening. I really felt for Kim Sunam and wish she had a better outcome for her life
A truely emotionally charged tale with wonderful characters and settings. It really brought history to life
I really enjoyed Can't I Go Instead it was an epic story crossing different social classes, countries and the Korean War and WWII.
I don't know much about Korea and its Japanese Invasion so this book was truly eye opening. I really felt for Kim Sunam and wish she had a better outcome for her life
A truely emotionally charged tale with wonderful characters and settings. It really brought history to life
irishlassofcork's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
alavenderfield's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
much needed look at colonial Korea and a deeper exploration of the tensions then. thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction novel as someone who usually doesn't dabble in it. pacing felt slightly off towards the last part as it felt like the author was trying to tie up loose ends.
melonpea's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
secret_lives_of_fiction_lovers's review against another edition
4.0
A deeply moving story which entwines the lives of Chaeryeong and Sunam. Each of their stories as harrowing and heartbreaking as the other but in different ways. Their story left me feeling saddened by all that they went through (as well as the other characters). Although fiction, this gave me an insight in to what was happening in Korea, Japan and China leading in to the second world war. This was a part of history that we didn't learn about in school and it really opened my eyes. A story that will leave an imprint on your heart forever.
mobyskine's review
4.0
Too heart-moving and so compellingly narrated. A complex and descriptive plotline that brought me to follow the hardships and struggles of two women; Yun Chaeryeong and Kim Sunam—one having to live so well for her pro-Japanese viscount father and another was being sold as a maid to serve the viscount’s daughter—surviving the Japanese occupation during the WWII as well the political conflict and tension of Korean War. Almost epically plotted to me for how the timeline stretches from 1920s to the modern-day Korea; of historical incidents and tragedies that brought these two women closer in characters, upbringings and level of tenacity to live and survive due to their misplacement of identities.
A massive well crafted backstories that go quite cinematically pleasing, well researched on the cultural hue also social classism part that engrossingly observed on the mistreatment, gender stereotypes and the Japanese brutalities throughout the colonial era. I love Sunam’s narrative the most for how heart-rending and surreal her exploration goes; of poverty and her naivety that led her to trust the viscount too much— it irks me at times yet her dynamic and personality to crave for education really struck me with an enthralling admiration and empathy.
It gets bit intense on the later part as it delved into both Sunam and Chaeryeong’s immigrants journeys— as much as I did not like Chaeryeong that much it was sad too to see how she was stuck in between her father’s selfishness and her own desire and needs. Loving those subplots on independence movement in Ganghwi’s narrative as well that glimpse of Sunam’s haunting scene as a comfort woman and those friendship she found along her ways— the almost unrequited love story really adding a bit charm too to her plot.
Bittersweet execution yet devastating much on how affecting both fates come to the end. I fancy the straightforwardness on its storytelling and way the author wrapped and linked their years of living until the last chapter with another identity mess; an obsession, determination or perhaps just a real truth that need to be uncovered.
Thank you Pansing Distribution for the review copy!
A massive well crafted backstories that go quite cinematically pleasing, well researched on the cultural hue also social classism part that engrossingly observed on the mistreatment, gender stereotypes and the Japanese brutalities throughout the colonial era. I love Sunam’s narrative the most for how heart-rending and surreal her exploration goes; of poverty and her naivety that led her to trust the viscount too much— it irks me at times yet her dynamic and personality to crave for education really struck me with an enthralling admiration and empathy.
It gets bit intense on the later part as it delved into both Sunam and Chaeryeong’s immigrants journeys— as much as I did not like Chaeryeong that much it was sad too to see how she was stuck in between her father’s selfishness and her own desire and needs. Loving those subplots on independence movement in Ganghwi’s narrative as well that glimpse of Sunam’s haunting scene as a comfort woman and those friendship she found along her ways— the almost unrequited love story really adding a bit charm too to her plot.
Bittersweet execution yet devastating much on how affecting both fates come to the end. I fancy the straightforwardness on its storytelling and way the author wrapped and linked their years of living until the last chapter with another identity mess; an obsession, determination or perhaps just a real truth that need to be uncovered.
Thank you Pansing Distribution for the review copy!
cris_redondoo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I felt so conflicted while reading this book so many times, like it was so weird for me, I jumped from liking one character and then hating it so quickly. Regardless it is a really powerful story that sheds light on the colonial period in Korea, the comfort women, the Korean War and how all of these affected its citizens, and how people did anything in their hands to be able to survive all of the above. It was a heavy, but interesting read.
maureen_coeck's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This books sheds a light on the Korean WOII experience, as other books such as Pachinko have also done. Still a tragic read, even if you were already familiar with it. Even if there were some cliché writings in there, I did like that the author didn't try to redeem every character.
mgautreaux's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
florienvdc's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0