The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
rorikae's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
'I'm Waiting for You and Other Stories' by Kim Bo-young is a mix between a short story collection and a novel that tells two main plots across a few different stories. The book is bookended by the two sides of a letter correspondence between an engaged couple who are separated by space travel. In between these two stories are a few stories that follow a collection of gods that dive into and out of the human world. These gods have very specific views on what constitutes corruption and purity that speak to free will and individuality.Â
This book is unique in how it utilizes linked stories to tell two overarching narratives. I do think there is something to be said that the middle stories could also be interpreted as being in the same world as the letter stories. The letters were my personal favorites though the stories about the gods had me thinking a lot about free will, individuality, and community.Â
One of my favorite things about this book is that there are a number of additional pieces at the end that help flesh out the stories. One piece is a correspondence between the author and translator during 2020 that mirrors the letters written by the lovers. There is also a helpful piece about what inspired the letter stories including pieces by the people who requested the stories be written. In all, it feels like a full project that we get to see different aspects of. It comes together beautifully and was moving. If you're interested in something a little bit experimental and also enjoy learning about the backstory of why stories are written, I would highly recommend this book.Â
This book is unique in how it utilizes linked stories to tell two overarching narratives. I do think there is something to be said that the middle stories could also be interpreted as being in the same world as the letter stories. The letters were my personal favorites though the stories about the gods had me thinking a lot about free will, individuality, and community.Â
One of my favorite things about this book is that there are a number of additional pieces at the end that help flesh out the stories. One piece is a correspondence between the author and translator during 2020 that mirrors the letters written by the lovers. There is also a helpful piece about what inspired the letter stories including pieces by the people who requested the stories be written. In all, it feels like a full project that we get to see different aspects of. It comes together beautifully and was moving. If you're interested in something a little bit experimental and also enjoy learning about the backstory of why stories are written, I would highly recommend this book.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: War, Death, Xenophobia, and Violence
beccaand's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Physical abuse
thenovelmaura's review
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I wanted to love this translated collection because I enjoy speculative fiction and a well-written short story. And I did really enjoy half of it! Exactly half, because there were only four stories in the collection and they were two matched pairs, continuations of each other. "I'm Waiting For You" and "On My Way To You" were heartbreaking and beautiful. The premise of people who travel through space in order to travel through time was fascinating and I had to chuckle at the misadventures that kept our narrator couple apart (at least until they kept going and going).
"The Prophet of Corruption" and "That One Life" were far too long for my taste. I was interested in the creation myth that Bo-young spun here but I just couldn't stay engaged throughout the length of the narrative. I know several readers who really loved these stories, so if you have more patience than me then you should give them a try! Bo-young is a compelling writer and I'll keep an eye out for more of her work as it's translated to English.
"The Prophet of Corruption" and "That One Life" were far too long for my taste. I was interested in the creation myth that Bo-young spun here but I just couldn't stay engaged throughout the length of the narrative. I know several readers who really loved these stories, so if you have more patience than me then you should give them a try! Bo-young is a compelling writer and I'll keep an eye out for more of her work as it's translated to English.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
caseythereader's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, and Violence
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