Reviews

Owlish by Dorothy Tse

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kate66's review against another edition

2.0

2.5 (half a point for the lovely narration).

I have a feeling that I'm missing a lot of metaphors in this novel. As a story it is bewildering, as a metaphor its even more confusing.

Professor Q is having a mid-life crisis. His career and marriage are stagnant. His home country is in flux having been ceded back to its original controllers ten years before. His escape is in a doll collection that he keeps hidden in his study. He finds gratification in dressing and playing with the dolls but that desire becomes out of control when he becomes the owner of Alliss, a life size ballerina doll.

Here's where I started to get lost, mainly because you are never sure what is real and what is dream.

I listened to the audio version and I had to keep going back on what I'd just heard because sometimes the end was so abrupt that I was positive is missed something crucial. After much deliberation I think Dorothy Tse has left so many open ends because life is like that. I understand that Nevers is a metaphor for Hong Kong and its current state of turmoil. No one really knows what will happen there or what is happening to its citizens.

We are left wondering what happened to Alliss, Professor Q and his wife. I am also still bewildered as to whether Owlish was a real person or just another facet of Professor Q's personality.

It's an interesting read. Writing this review (such as it is) has given me more of a headache than listening to the book. I'm definitely intrigued by Dorothy Tse and will search out more of her work.

hendriati's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

mcbiscool's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

JG Ballard meets the master and margarita.

bobthebookerer's review against another edition

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4.0

This book is a weird little gem, and I loved how it is almost in on the joke itself, realising how absurd and bizarre it is throughout.

Professor Q, our oblivious and confused main character, tries and fails to understand the world around him, an alternative society where we have sights such as sexualised dancing dolls, protests and the Kafkaesque drudgery of trying to get tenure.

It is a real oddball of a book, with some unforgettable and funny moments throughout.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

agirlandabook85's review against another edition

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4.0

Well this was certainly quite the literary experience. The writing was stunning, the imagery exceptional but the plot was hell bent on throwing you off course and left scrambling for balance. Even when you thought you knew the dark and disturbing truth Tse would go in an even more bizarre direction…the sex scene I will say no more