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ricksilva's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Based on the Author's experiences, this story recounts the experiences of an eleven-year-old boy separated from his parents as World War II engulfs Shanghai. The tale of Jim's survival of his time in the Japanese internment camp at Lunghua outside of Shanghai. Jim survives in a surreal world, surrounded by disease, death, and the ever-present threat of starvation, and his situation grows only more harrowing when the war finally ends and the city descends into chaos.
Harrowing is a pretty good description of the events and images of the story. The author holds back none of the horror or the cruelty that were everyday occurrences of the time.
But through it all, Jim's sometimes manic reflections add a dreamlike quality to the narrative, as he provides his commentary on the bizarre scenes he encounters.
There were some great supporting characters, and twists and turns in the plot right up to the end. For all of the weirdness and disturbing imagery, the story felt very real thanks to the intensity of the descriptions and details.
Harrowing is a pretty good description of the events and images of the story. The author holds back none of the horror or the cruelty that were everyday occurrences of the time.
But through it all, Jim's sometimes manic reflections add a dreamlike quality to the narrative, as he provides his commentary on the bizarre scenes he encounters.
There were some great supporting characters, and twists and turns in the plot right up to the end. For all of the weirdness and disturbing imagery, the story felt very real thanks to the intensity of the descriptions and details.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Murder, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
paperknotbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Dare I comp this against Jeannette Winterson? I mean, the kid’s voice is so perky and innocent, but also lacks knowledge of what’s going on! He’s smart and quick-witted, but also aloof!
Im not usually a fan of war books, but this was darkly entertaining!
Im not usually a fan of war books, but this was darkly entertaining!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and War
shiwa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
redbow's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Racial slurs