basilsinyard's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Although filled with stories of 打炮， meeting new people, and complicated familial relationships, I think the main theme of these four short stories is "loneliness". I loved the part in the acknowledgment where the author explained why the narrator's name is "young". Because these stories connect to when the author was a young guy living life in a bustling city, and having events pass you by like stroboscopic images.
His relationship with the narcissistic activist was my least favorite, partly because I relate to it the most. I understand how it is to be obsessed with someone but be desperate to grasp onto the 蓮藕絲 and reign the other person closer. I think the reason he fell into this toxic spiral is because of his mother's hysteria that morphed Young's understanding of people, which in turn made him struggle with introspecting and identifying his own loneliness.
Jaehee. His friendship with Jaehee can be best described as soul-mates.
The personification of his STD Kylie was really interesting. It portrays Young's acceptance of his disease by giving it a human name. It feels more affectionate and Young barely shorn hate toward his STD, only grief and something like 無奈。
His relationship with the narcissistic activist was my least favorite, partly because I relate to it the most. I understand how it is to be obsessed with someone but be desperate to grasp onto the 蓮藕絲 and reign the other person closer. I think the reason he fell into this toxic spiral is because of his mother's hysteria that morphed Young's understanding of people, which in turn made him struggle with introspecting and identifying his own loneliness.
Jaehee. His friendship with Jaehee can be best described as soul-mates.
The personification of his STD Kylie was really interesting. It portrays Young's acceptance of his disease by giving it a human name. It feels more affectionate and Young barely shorn hate toward his STD, only grief and something like 無奈。
lethalballet's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
annakpi's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
seoltang's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
saesaurus's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
kimmulholland's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
charliequicken's review against another edition
no plot, just vibes (complementary). incredibly well written, a deep and understanding character study of some dude in seoul. i liked it, though sometimes the writer created too much space between reader and mc.
ines365's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5