monikasbookblog's review against another edition
4.0
Must I go, is the story of a woman, Lilia's life and the role of love in her life. After having grandkids and outliving her husband, Lilia unveils her once cherished affair with Roland from her diary and footnotes her memories with different versions of what could have happened. Lilia deals with loss, grief, and love in her own way and the author has captured those emotions beautifully. A great novel about the complex human emotions.
Thank you, NetGalley, Yiyun Li, and Random House publishing for the reader's copy of this novel. This review is based on my opinion and is not influenced in any way.
Thank you, NetGalley, Yiyun Li, and Random House publishing for the reader's copy of this novel. This review is based on my opinion and is not influenced in any way.
nataliemz's review against another edition
2.0
I am so sorry for the 2 stars but i really struggle to read this book.
1. there are too many characters not including some characters are given a nickname M or Aunt E. this make me, struggle to remember who, what the relationships are and my poor imagination could not cope.
2. the chapters? the transition from diary, to notes to novel in the pages confuses me a lot. adding to my struggles.
3. as well always, i struggle to cope with the ending. it felt, flat. and what is this ending? after making me struggle to read this book...
4. i really wondered who the main character in this novel actually is.
almosttt did not finish this book, but at least i managed to learn new skills called skimming the pages for plots and sentences that pop put to me.
1. there are too many characters not including some characters are given a nickname M or Aunt E. this make me, struggle to remember who, what the relationships are and my poor imagination could not cope.
2. the chapters? the transition from diary, to notes to novel in the pages confuses me a lot. adding to my struggles.
3. as well always, i struggle to cope with the ending. it felt, flat. and what is this ending? after making me struggle to read this book...
4. i really wondered who the main character in this novel actually is.
almosttt did not finish this book, but at least i managed to learn new skills called skimming the pages for plots and sentences that pop put to me.
girlglitch's review against another edition
3.0
Must I Go is a complex and clever novel. The concept is unique: the narrator, Lilia, annotates the diaries of her former lover, and this allows for a really interesting exploration of love, loss and human nature.
Lilia herself is fascinating: acerbic and self-aware, she is a narrator with full confidence in her opinions, even of people she has never met. The memoirs act as a springboard for many reflections into her own family history, and there are times when true emotion bleeds through her wit.
However, I did find that her detached voice (and relationship) with Roland detracted from the memoir itself. I simply didn't care about Roland, Hetty or Sidelle - and while that may have, partly, been the point, it also made the pages drag.
Must I Go is a commitment, a novel that's as cold and wise as its narrator.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
Lilia herself is fascinating: acerbic and self-aware, she is a narrator with full confidence in her opinions, even of people she has never met. The memoirs act as a springboard for many reflections into her own family history, and there are times when true emotion bleeds through her wit.
However, I did find that her detached voice (and relationship) with Roland detracted from the memoir itself. I simply didn't care about Roland, Hetty or Sidelle - and while that may have, partly, been the point, it also made the pages drag.
Must I Go is a commitment, a novel that's as cold and wise as its narrator.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
matildahasopinions's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
the_readingcorner's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
frankie_13's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
goldfishtangerine's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
molly_rose's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Death
Minor: War, Death of parent, Colonisation, Sexism, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual content
booksafternoon's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0