Reviews

Human Acts, by Han Kang

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bargainandbooks's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

I went blindly into this book based solely on the beautiful cover and my goal to read more translated books. This book shook me to my core. How can a book about such a horrific historical happening be written in such a beautiful way. I devoured the book and was left utterly crushed by each characters chapter. I loved the way everyone was connected, and still showed different aspects of the time and how it affected the people and the community that was left grieving. Brilliant.

Content Warnings

blafin's review against another edition

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4.0

Inventive, thought-provoking, horrifying. Forced me to question elements of my own life - my complicity in human suffering, my right to demand of others their stories. To ask of them their trauma.

Human Acts does more than bring to light a tragedy, but offers a portrayal of the ways in which state violence lingers and colors the lives of those affected. Of how it can reverberate throughout the years, even when the majority of society has moved on.

abbie_bryant's review

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

sweetimpact's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

jasminhp's review against another edition

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3.0

a bit confusing, because all of the characters' relation to each other, + the reader is also a character in the story ... a bit confusing.. but otherwise pretty good but a bit too descriptive when it comes to describing the dead bodies and how people in the demonstration are killed.

angievansprang's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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? No

4.0

A harrowing account of the Gwangju Massacre from a cast of characters all connected by the death one young boy - Human Acts by Han Kang will tear your heart apart. Despite the horrific content of this story, I found Kang’s descriptive writing to be beautiful and unique. Her descriptions of death and death-adjacent experiences is like none other I’ve read before.

Content Warnings

hazelb99's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

isaclaire's review

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dark emotional sad slow-paced

4.0

A super emotional read that brings a voice to those who have been forever silenced by the Gwangju Uprising.

Content Warnings

ridwa's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

krissyronan's review against another edition

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4.0

Powerful book. The impact of tragedy ripples big and small on many people.

Lots of sidebar research to learn about the Gwangju People’s Uprising in South Korea in May 1980.

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