sassyredca's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.0
sssnoo's review against another edition
3.0
I had high expectations for this book. I think if a reader has not been exposed to much history of Mao’s Cultural Revolution the book would be much more engaging. As I know the basics of this period and what happened, the story was very predictable and formuleic. It wasn’t bad, and I enjoyed the book, it just didn’t Wow me relative to the average 4.3 stars.
msoblong's review against another edition
4.0
To be honest, I was not very familiar with this period in China's history so this was quite an interesting read for me. The dual story lines of Benfu and Pony Boy really added a fullness to the story by showing the effects of Chairmain Mao's acts on people of different classes. I really look forward to reading the later books in the series.
**Goodreads First Reads**
**Goodreads First Reads**
coltons1996's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, War, and Xenophobia
tealmango's review against another edition
4.0
Read the full review here: http://newberyandbeyond.com/arc-the-palest-ink/
Benfu is the teenage son of two scholars who expect him to follow in their footsteps, becoming a professor and marrying the girl they have chosen for him. However, Benfu would rather spend his time playing violin and helping his lower-class friend, Pony Boy, support his family. But when Chairman Mao’s revolution begins sweeping the nation, neither of these dreams come to pass. Benfu and Pony Boy are both caught up in the chaos as they both do their best to keep their heads down, watching friends and family be mistreated and sometimes facing extreme circumstances themselves. They are soon presented with the opportunity to speak up about the atrocities being committed in the name of creating a modern China, but this opportunity may cost them–and their families–everything.
I was amazed at how much I learned by reading this book. According to the author, the destruction and crimes committed as part of Chairman Mao’s Cultural Revolution are only now starting to be discussed in China, so I was glad to learn more about this little-known piece of history. Chairman Mao and his followers committed atrocities on the level of Stalin or Hitler, and it was heartbreaking to witness two teenagers as they watched their world fall apart and their families and neighbors turn on each other. As a lover of history, it was also horrifying to read about how much of China’s rich historical and cultural artifacts were destroyed for being too “bourgeoise” during this period.
Benfu and Pony Boy are both interesting characters, and I enjoyed following their very different journeys and decisions. I found the book slow at the start, but once the action really began, I couldn’t put the book down. Highly recommended for teenagers or adults who are fans of historical fiction and want to learn more about this chaotic period of China’s history.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Benfu is the teenage son of two scholars who expect him to follow in their footsteps, becoming a professor and marrying the girl they have chosen for him. However, Benfu would rather spend his time playing violin and helping his lower-class friend, Pony Boy, support his family. But when Chairman Mao’s revolution begins sweeping the nation, neither of these dreams come to pass. Benfu and Pony Boy are both caught up in the chaos as they both do their best to keep their heads down, watching friends and family be mistreated and sometimes facing extreme circumstances themselves. They are soon presented with the opportunity to speak up about the atrocities being committed in the name of creating a modern China, but this opportunity may cost them–and their families–everything.
I was amazed at how much I learned by reading this book. According to the author, the destruction and crimes committed as part of Chairman Mao’s Cultural Revolution are only now starting to be discussed in China, so I was glad to learn more about this little-known piece of history. Chairman Mao and his followers committed atrocities on the level of Stalin or Hitler, and it was heartbreaking to witness two teenagers as they watched their world fall apart and their families and neighbors turn on each other. As a lover of history, it was also horrifying to read about how much of China’s rich historical and cultural artifacts were destroyed for being too “bourgeoise” during this period.
Benfu and Pony Boy are both interesting characters, and I enjoyed following their very different journeys and decisions. I found the book slow at the start, but once the action really began, I couldn’t put the book down. Highly recommended for teenagers or adults who are fans of historical fiction and want to learn more about this chaotic period of China’s history.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
yetanothersusan's review against another edition
5.0
Not too often am I happy that I hadn't found a good author earlier. In this case, it paid off. The Palest Ink is a prequel to Bratt's Scavenger's Daughters series and I love reading books in order! The Palest Ink follows the lives of two friends coming of age during China's Cultural Revolution, courtesy of Chairman Mao. So many themes ran through the book: familial loyalty, the struggle for growth and independence, love, and of course the history of China. While the book is fiction, Bratt took great pains to portray the reality of China at the time of the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, where basically the cultural history of China was wiped out. I even loved her nod to the former practice of foot binding, probably the worst manipulation ever imposed on the female body for fashion. But, history aside, the story is a rich look at how two friends from different parts of the Chinese social structure struggled through the horrible changes being forced on their country and families. I was excited to learn that there are 3 more books waiting for me to read!
I was give a preview copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an objective review.
I was give a preview copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an objective review.
jkrnomad's review against another edition
5.0
This is an amazingly beautiful, poignant exploration of China's cultural revolution as it affects 4 teenagers.
candidceillie's review against another edition
3.0
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of The Palest Ink as an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The title comes from a Chinese proverb that states “The palest ink is better than the strongest memory,” and that is something that drives our main characters Benfu, Ponyboy, and Wren.
I was not entirely thrilled with this book. Goodreads lists the paperback at 388 pages, but it felt a whole lot longer than that to me. I had to force myself to reopen it every time I closed it to go do something else, and it felt really long to me.
I would guess that Benfu is important in the series that follows this book, The Tales of the Scavenger’s Daughters series, because they spent a lot of time setting him up for the future. He was also a pretty good main character for this story. He learned a lot about what was going on in a reasonable pace, with the help of his friends. It didn’t hurt that his family was super rich, so he truly felt the falling of his class.
I thought the characters were well-developed throughout the novel, and that was really a strength throughout the novel. I liked Pony Boy’s voice throughout, and the changes that came as he grew up into his own person.
Historically, I learned a lot about the beginning of Chairman Mao’s, but this book really got lost in the details. Some things flew by, while other parts really needed more explaining for someone with no background information on the time period, as I suspect many American readers will be.
Because of this, I’m rating The Palest Ink as a 3 out of 5 star rating. I think if it had been cut a little bit further in editing and explained a little more broadly, it could have been really good. It just really didn’t hit home for me. If you enjoy a little more history than plot development, you might enjoy this.
Originally posted on CandidCeillie.
The title comes from a Chinese proverb that states “The palest ink is better than the strongest memory,” and that is something that drives our main characters Benfu, Ponyboy, and Wren.
I was not entirely thrilled with this book. Goodreads lists the paperback at 388 pages, but it felt a whole lot longer than that to me. I had to force myself to reopen it every time I closed it to go do something else, and it felt really long to me.
I would guess that Benfu is important in the series that follows this book, The Tales of the Scavenger’s Daughters series, because they spent a lot of time setting him up for the future. He was also a pretty good main character for this story. He learned a lot about what was going on in a reasonable pace, with the help of his friends. It didn’t hurt that his family was super rich, so he truly felt the falling of his class.
I thought the characters were well-developed throughout the novel, and that was really a strength throughout the novel. I liked Pony Boy’s voice throughout, and the changes that came as he grew up into his own person.
Historically, I learned a lot about the beginning of Chairman Mao’s, but this book really got lost in the details. Some things flew by, while other parts really needed more explaining for someone with no background information on the time period, as I suspect many American readers will be.
Because of this, I’m rating The Palest Ink as a 3 out of 5 star rating. I think if it had been cut a little bit further in editing and explained a little more broadly, it could have been really good. It just really didn’t hit home for me. If you enjoy a little more history than plot development, you might enjoy this.
Originally posted on CandidCeillie.
utopiastateofmind's review against another edition
5.0
Written in a simple, but moving style, this story highlights their dilemmas and fights to be honorable and courageous in a world that is cowardly and inhumane. The characters are fascinating and even though I did not like all of them, hardship can force the worst out of us. There is too much of a tendency to turn inwards and to forget our duty to our fellow humans. So Pony Boy and Benfu’s decency are even more significant. The Palest Ink asks us, “what are we if we are not honest to our friends? If we do not show human decency and kindness?” The answer, it would seem, is in the brave hearts of young adults who will not stand by silently and whose sacrifices seem too tragic for such youth.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/review-palest-ink-kay-bratt/
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/review-palest-ink-kay-bratt/
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