louise_jb0's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
frannymuzza's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: War and Violence
kemuenz's review against another edition
5.0
Bright and beautiful and impossible to put down, even after the last page. Guo is an amazing writer.
missbookster's review against another edition
4.0
I Am China is the unravelling of a suspenseful and intriguing story between two lovers, Mu and Jian, whom time and circumstances drove apart. Translator Iona Kirkpatrick is in the center of this broken love story and through lost letters exchanged between them, she tries to put the pieces together and unwind their fate, before it's too late.
I really appreciate Guo's unpretentious writing as always, her story and its characters came alive through her words. While reading each chapter, I was invested in finding out what came to be of Mu and Jian, and at some I thought I had it figured out. I was satisfied with the ending she gave to the characters, I think it was beautiful and very realistic. Overall, such an interesting, page-turning piece of fiction. Definitely kept me wanting to read more with every turn of events.
This is the first fiction book I read from the author, as I read her 2017 memoir Once Upon in the East: A Story of Growing Up, which is in the list of my absolute favorite books. If you want to know about the author's life story and be impressed by her resilience and childhood hardships, I also recommend reading that. I didn't know how she would write fiction and I was unsurprisingly pleased!
I really appreciate Guo's unpretentious writing as always, her story and its characters came alive through her words. While reading each chapter, I was invested in finding out what came to be of Mu and Jian, and at some I thought I had it figured out. I was satisfied with the ending she gave to the characters, I think it was beautiful and very realistic. Overall, such an interesting, page-turning piece of fiction. Definitely kept me wanting to read more with every turn of events.
This is the first fiction book I read from the author, as I read her 2017 memoir Once Upon in the East: A Story of Growing Up, which is in the list of my absolute favorite books. If you want to know about the author's life story and be impressed by her resilience and childhood hardships, I also recommend reading that. I didn't know how she would write fiction and I was unsurprisingly pleased!
mazza57's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fabulous, almost undefinable book. It tells the story of Deng Mu and Kublai Jian both in their struggle with China and its political state and in their love. Told by their translator who finds herself submerged into their lives. Beautifully written, evocative, descriptive phrasing that is wonderful and a real tension in the writing. There are loads of things that i would want to pull out of this book.
dianawellejus's review against another edition
3.0
I'm actually uncertain whether I should give I Am China two or three stars. I will think about this and get back to the rating once I get around to review this book.
ruth_miranda's review against another edition
5.0
Damn.
I related more to this novel than I possible could claim - this is not my story, this is not my reality, this is not my world. But at the same time, it is. So much about it was my world, I saw so many of my own experiences reflected in there. I'm not a refugee, but I too once ran from my country to seek soul asylum elsewhere and was broken by it, finding only the cold and the lonesome empty hours inside my own head. I too, experienced loss such as Mu, I too experienced the horror she did. I too, was once Iona, running from the intimacy of love and longing only for the faceless, emotionless aspect of getting laid. I too, was changed by Tianamen.
This isn't my tale, but it resonated with me far too much, it spoke to me far too much - and the writing felt so close and familiar, like finding home somewhere else. Maybe it's because Jian was born one month after me, maybe I felt a connection to him that I had no right to feel but for the odd coincidences between us.
'Not the state, the people.'
And I too, am a person.
I related more to this novel than I possible could claim - this is not my story, this is not my reality, this is not my world. But at the same time, it is. So much about it was my world, I saw so many of my own experiences reflected in there. I'm not a refugee, but I too once ran from my country to seek soul asylum elsewhere and was broken by it, finding only the cold and the lonesome empty hours inside my own head. I too, experienced loss such as Mu, I too experienced the horror she did. I too, was once Iona, running from the intimacy of love and longing only for the faceless, emotionless aspect of getting laid. I too, was changed by Tianamen.
This isn't my tale, but it resonated with me far too much, it spoke to me far too much - and the writing felt so close and familiar, like finding home somewhere else. Maybe it's because Jian was born one month after me, maybe I felt a connection to him that I had no right to feel but for the odd coincidences between us.
'Not the state, the people.'
And I too, am a person.
lilyspunner's review against another edition
5.0
Another fantastic book by a great writer. The story of Jian and Mu was very moving and a good insight into China. I loved every minute of it