puffy_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.0
thewildpoppies's review against another edition
3.0
whew...not really sure what to say about this one? definitely not as good as [b:Little Fires Everywhere|34273236|Little Fires Everywhere|Celeste Ng|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1522684533l/34273236._SY75_.jpg|52959357]. it wasn't bad, but something was missing for me. the book felt really heavy-handed at times, and it was kind of hard to give a shit when almost all of the characters were just horrible people. kind of a shame.
theliteraryapothecary's review
It was mislabeled as a thriller/mystery and I went in with false expectations and I never cared for any of the characters.
emiller1018's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.75
kdhanda's review
3.0
A look into a family with identity issues. Father is Chinese American, haunted by his "Orientalism," mother is an ambitious woman who gave up her career dreams for the family, the brother, Nath, is largely ignored and suffers from low self esteem, the daughter, Lydia, suffers from too much attention and the expectations put on her by her parents, and the youngest daughter, Hannah, is largely ignored. Not much focus is placed on why this family is the way it is. The book unravels the events after Lydia goes missing. Interesting, quick read about the burdens parents place on children
blair_b's review
4.0
'This time Nath, immersed in a library book, did not notice Lydia's clenched fingers, the sudden red that rimmed her eyes. Dreaming if his future, he no longer heard all the things she did not say' (163).
vxswetha's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
tomaind's review
5.0
What a range of emotions I felt from this gut wrenching family drama! I was almost tempted to only rate this 4 stars because the ending kind of fell flat for me, but there was so much that I loved about Ng's writing, so I still had to give this the coveted 5 star rating. A great story for her first book. Some authors just have a knack for having their words flow off the pages and roll off your tongue like lyrics to a well known song. Celeste Ng has that ability. The family in this story was so dysfunctional. The tension between the parents and children was palpable. The dialogue was hurtful and uncomfortable. There were things to feel sorry for each member of this family.....missed opportunities, the feeling of not fitting in or belonging, feeling unimportant, feeling pressured, ignored or unwanted. How different there life could have been with open dialogue and sharing feelings and emotions. I definitely can see why this author has had both of her novels voted as the "Book of the Year". She has convinced me of her writing ability and I am moving onto her second novel "Little Fires Everywhere" next.