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stacieladams21's review against another edition
While I enjoyed this book, I wasn't prepared for most of the book to be when they are very young. The cover and description kind of tricked me but I was not disappointed. Looking forward to book two where hopefully they are a little bit older?
whisperinthereeds's review against another edition
4.0
Very sweet slice of life danmei. Read it after you've been burnt by some heavier novels. They are still children in vol 1, so no romance for now.
cas_the_second's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
unforth's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
marta_98's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
grayi's review against another edition
5.0
“I hope that in your life, your dreams will grow ever so brightly, and that you will grow wildly, unhindered and unwavering.”
Beautiful. I'm in awe of how a dream can blossom from sheer curiosity: Jiang Shen's chance encounter with a group of girls practicing ballet at the community center set in motion an incredible journey.This book illustrates how community can uplift you. When the people you love believe in you and your passion, when they trust you, and decide to do whatever they can to support you. Whether their efforts were big or small, the fact that they're there makes all the difference for Jiang Shen. I could cry.
Bai Jinyi and Jiang Shen's puppy love is everything to me. Their playful banter, their shared dreams, and their dedication to working together... Jiang Shen's gradual realization of his feelings, despite his youthful naiveté, is simply heartwarming. They're the epitome of first love.
Dreams are bittersweet. They carry risks, and often, they're a privilege not everyone can afford. And this book perfectly captures that essence. Above all, for me, this is a story about dreams and how, even if not all of us can achieve our picture-perfect life, we don't have to let go of what we love, we can hold on. It's not fruitless to keep dreaming.
5/5
mochibyuns's review against another edition
5.0
This is honestly one of the cutest stories I’ve read. I love the way all the characters interact with each other and the sense of community and friendship. Excited to read the second part ✨
chouette_'s review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
ariaslibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Salad Days:
a shakespearean idiomatic expression meaning a youthful time, accompanied by the inexperience, enthusiasm, idealism, innocence, or indiscretion that one associates with a
young person.
Salad Days tells the story of ordinary people living ordinary lives, chasing their dreams and supporting each other through it all. Jiang Shen has lived in his little farm all his life with occasional visits to the city. He has his friends: the siblings Chen Maoxiu (nicknamed Goumao) and Chen Qingling, and Shen Shubao. They chase chickens, hunt fish and borrow books from old man Xue Jun. It’s a simple life but it's a happy one.
One day, little Jiang Shen follows his mother to the city to sell her goods. They stop at a Children’s Centre and there Jiang Shen watches a group of girls dance. When the teacher notices him watching, she brings him in to try. Jiang Shen’s mother observes and later asks her son if he’s interested in dancing. He is. So his parents take him to ballet classes.
Across the classroom is a boxing class and Jiang Shen meets Bai Jinyi, a boy who dreams of being a professional boxer. A quick friendship blooms between the two and being the first male ballet dancer Bai Jinyi has met, Jiang Shen earns the nickname ‘little swan’.
This was one of the most adorable things I’ve ever read. The cover and synopsis make this sound like a romance but the characters are nine years old when the story starts. I thought I would be disappointed since it would take a long time for the romance to start but I literally couldn’t care less about the delay. The way these characters care for each other will have you crying. The characters love and support each other so much. Though not very financially stable, Jiang Shen’s parents find the money to support their son’s dancing classes. When the financial needs to study ballet become too expensive, his friends are quick to help where they can.
“Where are you going?” Shubao was the first to ask.
Pressing his lips together, Goumao answered, “I’m bringing Shen-zi some strawberries.” He then eyed the basket. “How many eggs are in there?”
Shubao looked down, smiling. “Around sixty? Enough to last Shen-zi a month.”
Goumao nodded. “It’s my turn next time.”
The other raised a brow. With tacit understanding, neither boy exposed what they knew.
Not only towards Jiang Shen but towards each other. Chen Maoxiu adores his little sister, doing what he can to help her with her art and Chen Qingling looks up to her older brother so much you’d be on death’s list if you dared disparage him in her presence. The whole village is supportive, helping each other in times of need and reading about such a supportive community had me tear up in certain scenes. There’s one specifically where Jiang Shen is coming home late and he finds the grumpy old bookseller still open and tells him to close and go rest. He grumpily agrees but then…
Despite what the elder had said, when Jiang Shen left, the man still didn’t close straight away. He paused in his packing, lifted his trembling hand, and raised the lantern beneath the curtain.
The faint light scattered across the only asphalt road in the village, lighting the boy’s way back home.
Tears started running down my face. This was just so soft and comforting. From the friendships to the slowly developing romance. Jiang Shen and Bai Jinyi were so adorable.
“You’re beautiful when you dance,” the other boy suddenly said.
Embarrassed, Jiang Shen’s face was a little warm. “No, I’m really not—“
“In my eyes,” Bai Jinyi interrupted,“you’re also someone that’s like the stars and the
moon.”
Amid the fluff, there were moments of humour as well. Such as the time Jiang Shen’s friends found out how rich Bai Jinyi was
“Composure!” Shen Shubao scolded him sternly. “Where’s our villagers’ dignity?!”
With a grimace, Goumao asked, “What dignity…”
Shen Shubao raised a brow proudly. “The dignity of poor people!”
This was a beautiful experience and I can’t wait to read this again in the future.
“I hope that in your life, your dreams will glow ever so brightly, and that you will grow wildly, unhindered, and unwavering.”
cindeereads's review against another edition
5.0
This novel is a great start to a story I am looking forward to reading more of. The characters are interesting I especially loved Jiang Shen and Bai Jinyi a happy go lucky boy who likes ballet and a bit gruff boy who likes boxing I am really liking their friendship so far. The plot was interesting it tells of a boy named Jiang Shen who is poor that gets interested in ballet he then meets a boy who does boxing who is from a rich family there are many interesting things in between with Jiang Shen's friends and family it was a really good read looking forward to reading more soon