cherrytastes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
iteach_tulearn's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
hnagle15's review against another edition
1.0
1.5
This did NOT do it for me at all. The first half was decent, the last half was terrible.
This did NOT do it for me at all. The first half was decent, the last half was terrible.
the_oakland_readers's review against another edition
4.0
This book really surprised me, not only was it an atypical plot (semi-terrorist activists as protagonists) the characters surprised me. Although, the main character did not get very well developed. I thought she was kindof typically emotionless as was her father, or at least they repressed their emotions which seems like a stereotype of asian cultures. At the same time though, they were dealing with a lot of atypical issues. Overall i throughly enjoyed it.
lauren_powerup's review against another edition
4.0
Patty Hearst's trial is one of my earliest political memories. I remember my parents discussing it at length; they did not believe the 'brainwashing' defense. Their perspective was informed, of course, by the disparate treatment which Hearst's race and class afforded her. Choi delves into this aspect of the case in a delicate and deft manner through the story of a little known character in the events, Jenny (Wendy Yoshimura).
The pacing was excellent. At each juncture you dive deeper into Jenny's meditation on the political moment and her unfolding sense of how the self is invented and reinvented. Although I thought the conclusion was a bit awkward it is forgiven for the second half of the novel has some extremely lovely moments.
The pacing was excellent. At each juncture you dive deeper into Jenny's meditation on the political moment and her unfolding sense of how the self is invented and reinvented. Although I thought the conclusion was a bit awkward it is forgiven for the second half of the novel has some extremely lovely moments.
missjeann's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-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
4.5
catherinepbartnikgmailcom's review against another edition
4.0
This would probably be a good time to admit that I only read this because Susan Choi did a reading at my school and I was hosting the event. That being said, I actually enjoyed the book (superior to The Foreign Student) and she was both interesting and informative. I love stumbling into a literary experience.
saipradhanreads's review against another edition
Alas, something about Susan Choi's novels just doesn't work for me. Extremely tedious.
kimtrucks's review against another edition
4.0
A delicate psychological drama about (not-)Patty Heart and (not-)Wendy Yoshimura. Delicate and has a horror of the moments you think it would relish -- the kidnapping, murders, arrests.