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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
lauraglovestoread's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Beautiful -- just beautiful. While the title suggests a collection of 4 short stories, I'm Waiting for You and Other Stories by Kim Bo-young is actually very cohesive: the first and final stories are interconnecting sets of letters (the first written by an unnamed man to the woman he intends to marry, and the last the letters written to him by his unnamed fiance) and the middle two stories form a pair as well. The worldbuilding is stunning throughout, and the writing is gorgeous -- I cannot speak to the translation vs the original but I must assume the translators did a wonderful job. I would personally recommend exploring the glossary at the back of the book before reading the second and third stories. There are so many themes explored here -- the impact of a single life, the experience of the passing of time, hierarchy + freedom, love, memory, and identity -- this book will appeal to those seeking philosophical sci-fi.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Physical abuse
caseythereader's review against another edition
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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