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gauriraut's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Abortion, and Suicide attempt
angelo_vossen's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
The narrative is structured in a series of loosely connected episodes, each exploring different facets of the protagonist, Young's life. These vignettes offer glimpses into his relationships, both platonic and romantic, his struggles with familial expectations, and his navigation through the urban landscape of Seoul. The non-linear storytelling adds depth and dimension to the narrative, highlighting the fluidity of life and the interconnectedness of experiences.
Young is a multifaceted character, whose unapologetic honesty and vulnerability make him relatable and compelling. His relationships with others, particularly his best friend Jaehee, his mother, and various lovers, are depicted with nuance and authenticity. These interactions reveal the complexities of love, from deep camaraderie to the pain of unrequited affection, and the tension between societal norms and personal desires.
At its core, the novel explores the search for love and belonging in a rapidly changing, often alienating urban environment. It delves into the challenges of being queer in a conservative society, the pressures of familial expectations, and the fleeting nature of youth. The book also addresses themes of loneliness, identity, and the pursuit of happiness, often with a sharp wit and a touch of melancholy.
Sang Young Park's writing is both poetic and raw, capturing the vibrant yet harsh realities of city life. The prose is laced with humor, even in moments of sadness, offering a refreshing take on serious topics. The author’s keen observations on the absurdities of life and the quirks of human nature lend the narrative a unique voice that is both critical and empathetic.
"Love in the Big City" is a beautifully crafted novel that offers a heartfelt and insightful exploration of love and identity in a modern metropolis. Sang Young Park's honest and engaging storytelling, combined with the novel's richly drawn characters and themes, make it a standout work in contemporary literature. It's a book that resonates with anyone who has ever felt lost in the chaos of city life or grappled with the complexities of love and self-discovery.
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Minor: Body shaming, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Blood, Medical content, and Outing
heir_of_regulus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Graphic: Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, and Medical trauma
Minor: Cancer and Xenophobia
ajb24's review against another edition
- 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
Either way, it made for an interesting story, though.
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Homophobia
Moderate: Cancer and Abortion
daria_mm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Terminal illness, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Abortion
Minor: Fatphobia and Classism
risemini'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Outing, and Alcohol
sky143's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicide
savvylit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This novel discusses the ups and downs of multiple types of love - platonic love, familial love, toxic love, queer love, and true love. Being as this book's timeline begins while he is still in university, Young is a (self-aware) hot mess for much of this novel as he figures out what kind of adult he wants to be. Spoiler alert: like most of us, he never really lands on one path for life guidance. Rather, Young remains unabashedly himself while continuing to ride the ups and downs of life, bouncing from job to job and romantic relationship to romantic relationship. His narration is delightful, relatable, often heartbreaking, and reflective.
Overall, Love in the Big City is a millennial new-adult novel about how simultaneously difficult and beautiful it can be to give your love to another person.
Graphic: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Outing
himangi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Outing, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Vomit and Stalking
edgaranjapoe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Gaslighting
Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Outing, and Classism