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kfili91's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
Sad story but one I thoroughly enjoyed.
ebkara's review against another edition
5.0
This is a beautiful thoughtful and sensitive book, isolation and violence and gentle and profoundly moving friendship are all acutely observed. I found the book completely compelling and have recommended it to friends and family.
shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
Whew - this was a tough one. The setting is a Burmese prison. It's a story of the cruelties and absurdities of political oppression and imprisonment and it's a story of the trans-formative power of words on both individual and society. A simple ball point pen - source of danger, fear, power and hope - is the focal point of the lives of Teza (in solitary confinement), Little Brother, a young orphan boy raised in the prison, and the guards, both good and bad, in charge of maintaining the status quo. It's powerful, well-written, difficult and ultimately hopeful.
chishc's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! It is able to find beauty and hope and love among tragedy and despair. I found myself able to create a vivid image of the cage and the characters - to feel their pain, heartbreak and strength.
The timing for me to pick this up was interesting - it has been sitting on my bookshelf for a few years and I had no idea what the book was about. I bought it on a friend's recommendation but I didn't read the synopsis before opening the book.
Fast forward to 2021 when I pick up the Lizard Cage and within the first page realize it is set in Burma/Myanmar is the early 90's. I was a kid in the 90's and had no idea what was happening on the other side of the world.
And here we are - just a few months ago Myanmar was in the news as the military took over the government again. While it is not a history lesson, this book did shine some light on things I know nothing about and has made me want to dig a little deeper into Myanmar's recent history. Especially as it is ongoing.
The timing for me to pick this up was interesting - it has been sitting on my bookshelf for a few years and I had no idea what the book was about. I bought it on a friend's recommendation but I didn't read the synopsis before opening the book.
Fast forward to 2021 when I pick up the Lizard Cage and within the first page realize it is set in Burma/Myanmar is the early 90's. I was a kid in the 90's and had no idea what was happening on the other side of the world.
And here we are - just a few months ago Myanmar was in the news as the military took over the government again. While it is not a history lesson, this book did shine some light on things I know nothing about and has made me want to dig a little deeper into Myanmar's recent history. Especially as it is ongoing.
ekb523's review against another edition
4.0
I feel so ignorant about Burma/Myanmar's very recent history (1980s military junta). This novel helped provide historical context I was clearly lacking about the region but also created a really interesting cast of characters. The story is sad yet uplifting and the bits of poetry/songs Teza writes are really beautiful. The ending seemed unnecessarily brutal, but overall I really enjoyed this book.
misskamibee's review against another edition
5.0
First and foremost- I have to thank Will Schwalbe for leading me to this book via his own beautifully written End of Your Life Bookclub. That being said, this is one of the most moving and emotional books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. In her afterword, Karen Connelly mentions that she cried every time she wrote this book for the first 2 years. I want you to know- that emotion comes through so fantastically in the writing. I, myself found tears running down my face at several points while reading it. It brings a whole new meaning of survival, and triumph over the oppression of life that surrounds us, that tries to break us down for it's own benefit. It shows how love, and the peacefulness that is created by following the tenets of Buddha can allow one to escape whatever prison they may find themselves in. I am a faithful library patron, and don't often go out with the intention of purchasing one specific book- but after reading this magnificent work, I will be buying my own copy and re-reading with all intentions of marking my favorite passages to read again and again when I need them most. As I work in a library, I will be recommending this book to everyone I can to share the magic with them!
cassf's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the way the different story lines unfolded in this book. It did drag on for me in the middle; that is the reason I gave it four stars instead of five. When I reached the end, I really enjoyed going back and reading the beginning again.
melohpa's review against another edition
4.0
WOW! What an amazing book. The author created characters and voices to love and hate and embodied the disturbing reality of political prisoners not only in Burma/Myanmar, but in similar countries the world over.
As dysfunctional as my country's political and prison systems are, I am still incredibly lucky and proud to be an American. We too often take for granted the amazing freedoms that the founding fathers had the foresight to take PEN and PAPER and create the Bill of Rights. Thank you.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
As dysfunctional as my country's political and prison systems are, I am still incredibly lucky and proud to be an American. We too often take for granted the amazing freedoms that the founding fathers had the foresight to take PEN and PAPER and create the Bill of Rights. Thank you.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."