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dootdootreads's review
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Infidelity
sakisreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This was a weeeird read. It gave me elements of 1984 and Severance? There was no post-apocalyptic world, but it was still quite eerie. I wasn’t expecting it!
There were some elements of excitement for me in the story, but also some elements of ‘meh’. I feel like some of the characters weren’t highlighted enough, even though their stories were interesting.
3.5 out of 5 stars for me, thank you ✨
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
another_dahlia's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Miscarriage
clairebartholomew549's review
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book gave me a lot to think about and moved quickly and interestingly. It follows four families who move into government housing in South Korea, meant to be "communal living" and with the caveat that within 10 years of moving in you need to have three kids. The families all have different approaches to what "communal" means, and there are small and larger clashes as the families settle in.
This book addresses the ridiculous expectations put on mothers to do everything and be anything, the sexist frameworks imposed on and enabled by families, the insecurity and shame inherent in being a parent in our modern world, and how difficult it is to live closely with other people- all without being preachy or hitting you over the head. Byeong-Mo carefully teases out how seemingly mundane interactions and moments signify so much about our social dynamics and dictate whether we feel we belong in any given community, and how subtext is everything but acknowledging the subtle hints out loud is taboo. We get a window into most of the characters, which helps us understand all the thought processes that go into the weird moments between them, and the plot moves along quite fast. This review might make it seem like the book is staid and didactic, but it's not at all; it's brisk and interesting, but a lot happens under the surface. I really liked this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for a honest review!
This book addresses the ridiculous expectations put on mothers to do everything and be anything, the sexist frameworks imposed on and enabled by families, the insecurity and shame inherent in being a parent in our modern world, and how difficult it is to live closely with other people- all without being preachy or hitting you over the head. Byeong-Mo carefully teases out how seemingly mundane interactions and moments signify so much about our social dynamics and dictate whether we feel we belong in any given community, and how subtext is everything but acknowledging the subtle hints out loud is taboo. We get a window into most of the characters, which helps us understand all the thought processes that go into the weird moments between them, and the plot moves along quite fast. This review might make it seem like the book is staid and didactic, but it's not at all; it's brisk and interesting, but a lot happens under the surface. I really liked this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for a honest review!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Chronic illness and Infidelity
readingwithkt's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Your Neighbour’s Table is a really interesting little book about a communal living apartment block. We dip into each of the families individual stories, sometimes flicking between each family quite unexpectedly, and also have an overarching theme of the “communal”. There is each individual, but the collective is extremely important here. It’s a story about what it means to live with and coexist alongside others, it’s about the complications of relationships, and it’s about the way in which intimacy can be both comforting and suffocating (at different times, in unequal measures, to varying degrees).
I found the flitting back and forth between POVs quite difficult to keep track of, and it took me some time to work out who all the character were. I think for the number of POVs, a longer book would have allowed more time to get all the narrators straight. I read it as an ARC on e-reader as well which might impact how easy it was the follow the changing POVs - maybe (hopefully) that is clearer in finished (print) format.
The final scenes could have been developed further. I felt the interactions in the end were quite surface level and we didn’t go as deep into the issues between people as I had hoped we would.
Really, an interesting concept and thought provoking book but needed to be longer in my opinion to be able to be fully developed.
Glad I read it though and I’d definitely read something else from this author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Injury/Injury detail