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pezfilledcookies's review
2.0
This "novel" was very... unique. I didn't find this to be a story, more like a series of events. Chun Sue doesn't put much feeling into the narrative, she makes it just a heartless retelling.
At some point I know the words are supposed to have depth, and maybe it's a problem with the translation, but I just don't feel empathetic. The "main character", Chun Sue, is real, but the story is too fast and too uninteresting.
There are some things that would make good plots. Her affairs, her parents opinions, her schooling. But she doesn't really delve into these issues, she's too focused on being young and dying her hair a different color.
I, personally, did not enjoy this "novel". Not do I believe that it is in any way fictional. If this is fiction it is really bad. If this is a memoir, it gets an extra star.
At some point I know the words are supposed to have depth, and maybe it's a problem with the translation, but I just don't feel empathetic. The "main character", Chun Sue, is real, but the story is too fast and too uninteresting.
There are some things that would make good plots. Her affairs, her parents opinions, her schooling. But she doesn't really delve into these issues, she's too focused on being young and dying her hair a different color.
I, personally, did not enjoy this "novel". Not do I believe that it is in any way fictional. If this is fiction it is really bad. If this is a memoir, it gets an extra star.
gnitro's review
3.0
I was pretty excited to read this book, but sadly was left a bit meh by the end of it. There was so many times Chun Sue was discussing school, family life, or the most interesting parts of Rock n Roll and bands in China, but ended up just constantly going back to her dysfunctional relationships. Every time the author would start a topic that sounded intriguing, it would swing right back to a relationship. There just wasn't enough balance between the two, that I didn't feel like this was a voice or statement of a generation as it pumps itself up to be.
Please don't get me wrong, I had no issue with hearing about her relationships, as they are very key to the book. I just really liked the discussion of Rock N' Roll, whether it be foreign bands or bands within China. I kept hoping we'd hear more about her thoughts on the subject. Even with her dealing with school or home life, it would build up and then kind of just drop out, without fully detailing her experience. Everything felt like a cliff notes except her relationships and their issues.
In the end I'd give this a 2.75 out of five. I liked some of it and it grabbed my interest early on, but I got bored with a lot of it by the halfway point.
Please don't get me wrong, I had no issue with hearing about her relationships, as they are very key to the book. I just really liked the discussion of Rock N' Roll, whether it be foreign bands or bands within China. I kept hoping we'd hear more about her thoughts on the subject. Even with her dealing with school or home life, it would build up and then kind of just drop out, without fully detailing her experience. Everything felt like a cliff notes except her relationships and their issues.
In the end I'd give this a 2.75 out of five. I liked some of it and it grabbed my interest early on, but I got bored with a lot of it by the halfway point.
anatomydetective's review
1.0
I guess I can thank this book for reminding me that most urban teens are vapid all over the world.
abmiller42's review
This was fun- but would have been more fun to read as a teenager. The bulk of the book consists of dramatic, cafeteria-table-esque recaps of the narrator’s dates with a string of wan poets with long hair, but in between are fun glimpses of a young punk working for rock magazines, going to shows, and forming bands in Beijing in the 90s. It’s lovable and angsty and cringey.
jemini's review
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I had higher expectations for this book. I thought there was going to be a lot more depth but it felt quite surface level. The story was very repetitive. The main character just dates a bunch of (usually) older men, keeps failing school, is upset that no one understands her and that’s basically it. I mean it’s definitely a genuine feeling during teenage years but also in an unrealistic (for me) setting of rock and roll “culture”. It felt like reading a diary which made for an interesting narration. Overall, I wish there was just more exploration into its themes and struggles.
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