babyc24's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
gssarchive's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
cel_'s review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dook's review against another edition
4.0
I loved reading this one and it went quick for me. The story is well written and easy to follow, but stressful at times. I think though, that stress is kind of a normal thing to feel when reading about the loss of a loved one. I loved the stories from the mother's life and things she wished she had told her children but didn't, as this is an important life lesson, but not one unheard of.
I was upset about the story's conclusion, as it wasn't wrapped up well in my opinion, as the story just drops off after some inner dialogue from the mother and a few stories about the later lives of her children. Maybe it was supposed to teach me how life goes on, and how the missing of someone changes things, but I wish things just changed more towards the better than where they ended up.
In conclusion, this is one book that will tug on the old heart strings and make you want to go hug everyone in your family, which is a good feeling for me, at least.
I was upset about the story's conclusion, as it wasn't wrapped up well in my opinion, as the story just drops off after some inner dialogue from the mother and a few stories about the later lives of her children. Maybe it was supposed to teach me how life goes on, and how the missing of someone changes things, but I wish things just changed more towards the better than where they ended up.
In conclusion, this is one book that will tug on the old heart strings and make you want to go hug everyone in your family, which is a good feeling for me, at least.
sakisreads's review
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was SUCH a brilliant book. When I saw it in the Kinokuniya and read the blurb, I was drawn in š³ I appreciated that each chapter brought in a different point of view (Hyong-cholās, Chi-honās, Fatherās, Motherās) and how deeply you could feel each characterās pain and trauma š„ŗ
I gasped at some parts and I definitely was not ready for some of the characters š
Spoiler
e.g. when Father went away to be with another womanSpoiler
When Mother got a chapter!I LOVE when a book includes the title in a simple but effective way. This book truly captures the difficulty of family dynamics and how easily we fall into gender roles and stereotypes š„²
I would absolutely recommend ANYONE to read this story ā¤ļø Complex and striking, I kept tearing away from it reluctantly š„² There are some content warnings which will be attached below!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Miscarriage
mariekealkema'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
5.0
alifatush's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
hama's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 star
This book was very emotional. It had a straightforward plot. And had few characters. Each chapter had its narrator. It was easy to distinguish the characters because of the shift in perspective. A couple of perspectives were in the second person. One in the third person and one in the first person.
I donāt like the second-person perspective a lot, but the second-person perspective in this novel was fantastic and powerful. I wished that the entire book was from a second perspective that is the main reason I give this book a 4 instead of 5.
The story was about four children and a husband realizing how much theyāve taken this woman called mom for granted. And all of the slow realizations of all kinds of things their mother has done for them over the year come after she went missing. And now they are missing her and looking for her.
The story of the daughter describes her mom and her mom always loved to give something to her guest and her children like food and socks. And the less frequent her children came to visit the more socks she has left in the drawer that nobody wants broked my heart to pieces.
And there is also a discussion between the father and the mother about having birthdays only a month apart. And mom says celebrate both birthdays on the same day. And it becomes less and less about a dual celebration and more about just forgetting mom's birthday completely and just letting it pass. That broke my heart.
The elder brother chapter was touching because It was relatable. And it made me suffocate and hard to breathe. I was holding my tear which made me very awkward.
I highly recommend you to read this book if you donāt mind the second-person perspective and quick shift in perspectives.
This book was very emotional. It had a straightforward plot. And had few characters. Each chapter had its narrator. It was easy to distinguish the characters because of the shift in perspective. A couple of perspectives were in the second person. One in the third person and one in the first person.
I donāt like the second-person perspective a lot, but the second-person perspective in this novel was fantastic and powerful. I wished that the entire book was from a second perspective that is the main reason I give this book a 4 instead of 5.
The story was about four children and a husband realizing how much theyāve taken this woman called mom for granted. And all of the slow realizations of all kinds of things their mother has done for them over the year come after she went missing. And now they are missing her and looking for her.
The story of the daughter describes her mom and her mom always loved to give something to her guest and her children like food and socks. And the less frequent her children came to visit the more socks she has left in the drawer that nobody wants broked my heart to pieces.
And there is also a discussion between the father and the mother about having birthdays only a month apart. And mom says celebrate both birthdays on the same day. And it becomes less and less about a dual celebration and more about just forgetting mom's birthday completely and just letting it pass. That broke my heart.
The elder brother chapter was touching because It was relatable. And it made me suffocate and hard to breathe. I was holding my tear which made me very awkward.
I highly recommend you to read this book if you donāt mind the second-person perspective and quick shift in perspectives.
essinink's review against another edition
3.0
Sometimes you read a book that cuts just a little too close to home.
I can't say that I liked the book (I was left hollow, bawling my eyes out) but it is very well done. 4 for quality, 2 for enjoyment. I'll call it 3/5.
I knew I was basically setting myself up when I picked this book. It's not my preferred genre, and I've only rarely found a sad book that I liked. Still, this examination of motherhood and growing up hits all of the right (wrong?) notes. We spend so much of our lives busy, unable or unwilling to appreciate what life has given us. This is a book that challenges the reader to reflect, and look outward.
The translation work appears to be solid, but there are some key linguistic quirks that I know wouldn't have translated properly from Korean (the fact that modern English only possesses one second-person pronoun is the most obvious hinderence). Still, for all of that, the style of the book did make more sense when I reached the last chapter.
I don't strictly know if I can recommend it, because it's a book that inevitably comes with pain, but if you like that kind of thing, or are willing to open yourself up to that, be my guest.
Unfortunately, the people who will get the most out of this novel are the ones for whom it hits too close, and for those who have been spared that sort of life experience, it will simply seem odd.
I can't say that I liked the book (I was left hollow, bawling my eyes out) but it is very well done. 4 for quality, 2 for enjoyment. I'll call it 3/5.
I knew I was basically setting myself up when I picked this book. It's not my preferred genre, and I've only rarely found a sad book that I liked. Still, this examination of motherhood and growing up hits all of the right (wrong?) notes. We spend so much of our lives busy, unable or unwilling to appreciate what life has given us. This is a book that challenges the reader to reflect, and look outward.
The translation work appears to be solid, but there are some key linguistic quirks that I know wouldn't have translated properly from Korean (the fact that modern English only possesses one second-person pronoun is the most obvious hinderence). Still, for all of that, the style of the book did make more sense when I reached the last chapter.
I don't strictly know if I can recommend it, because it's a book that inevitably comes with pain, but if you like that kind of thing, or are willing to open yourself up to that, be my guest.
Unfortunately, the people who will get the most out of this novel are the ones for whom it hits too close, and for those who have been spared that sort of life experience, it will simply seem odd.