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.
Graphic: Torture, Death, Infertility, Injury/injury detail, Gore, Violence, Sexual assault, and Suicide
Moderate: Grief
blafin's review against another edition
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
Graphic: Genocide, Death, Child death, War, and Torture
Moderate: Gore and Blood
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
hazelb99's review against another edition
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
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.
Graphic: Suicide, Police brutality, Child death, Blood, Death, Torture, Violence, Gun violence, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual violence, Police brutality, Rape, and Self harm
ridwa's review against another edition
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
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.
Lots of sidebar research to learn about the Gwangju People’s Uprising in South Korea in May 1980.