Reviews with content warning for Pregnancy - 저주토끼

Some of the warnings may have less but i dont remember how much is of what so i put it all on the most graphic. The way she describes things and reveals elements is chilling. Kept me horrified yet intriguied i couldn’t stop. The stories were all perfectly long enough to get across what it was without overstaying it’s welcome. Each of them very unique and making me feel lots of different things. I only bought it bc i saw it in store and read the first page which was just ‘haha speaking toilet thing’ and thought it would be funny. But i’m glad it was so much more than that.

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fluture's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

One of the best horror books that I have ever read. Each chapter, each story, has its own take aways. Some stories in the middle of the book might feel too slow and a bit too prolonged but it gets better in the end. I love the stories that were written on the quarter of the start of the book and I also love the last two stories on the book.

Dark yet refreshing, you barely find a book that can give such thrilling and meaningful horror book like this. This book is one of a kind and I would like to recommend horror lovers to read this book!

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clavishorti's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I can’t deny that my first encounter with this book came through the buzz from countless voices repeatedly mentioning its title. They insisted it was a unique read, something to experience at least once in a lifetime. Intrigued, I decided to plunge into Bora Chung’s Cursed Bunny.

Cursed Bunny is an audacious exploration that defies conventional genre boundaries and highlights the brilliance of this Korean author. Bora Chung skillfully intertwines elements of magical realism, horror, and science fiction, tackling themes of patriarchy and social issues in an extraordinarily bold way. Her approach is fearless, revealing even the smallest horrors without hesitation. Consequently, readers often find themselves pausing to catch their breath or taking time to fully digest the profound narratives.

This anthology features ten intricately woven stories, each layered with complexity that might leave readers pondering their deeper meanings. As such, multiple readings are essential to unravel the rich tapestry of messages embedded within. What’s particularly fascinating is that each reader can interpret these stories through their own lens, which, in my view, is one of the book’s greatest strengths, prompting critical thought and deeper reflection.

Next, I’d like to offer a glimpse into a few of the stories within Cursed Bunny. If you’re wary of spoilers, feel free to skip this part.

In the first short story titled “The Head”, I found myself deeply moved and empathetic toward the main character, a woman burdened with overwhelming emotional weight. The narrative begins with her discovery of a ‘head’ that continues to haunt her. When she seeks help from those close to her, they merely suggest she forget about the head as long as it doesn’t disturb her. However, this head seems to serve as a metaphor for the emotional burdens and loneliness she experiences.

The appearance of the head coincides with significant moments in her life: as she steps into adulthood, begins her married life, when her child is born, and during the solitude of her old age. Each manifestation of the head marks a moment when she feels most vulnerable and isolated.

I perceive that the moment the head ultimately takes over her life is when she can no longer bear the weight of her loneliness. She becomes trapped in a profound cycle of solitude, represented by the head. However, this is merely my personal interpretation. I would love to hear other perspectives on this story if anyone has them.

The second short story, titled “The Embodiment”, also places a special emphasis on the female experience. Through a narrative that explores various aspects such as menstruation, contraception, pregnancy, aspirations, marriage, and even miscarriage, the author seems intent on conveying a profound message. Each of these elements is not merely a detail of life but a representation of the complexities and challenges women face throughout their lives.

In this story, it appears that the author aims to depict the intricacies of women’s lives. Menstruation, pregnancy, the use of contraceptives, and various societal expectations become burdens they must bear. Reflecting on how women navigate these biological processes—from menstruation to pregnancy—and the necessity of using contraception to manage their lives feels incredibly harsh and unjust.

Notably, the author embeds this social critique in sharp satire. The notion that taking too many contraceptive pills could lead to pregnancy is a brilliant twist. It underscores the irony and absurdity of the pressures women face regarding their own bodies. Through this satire, the author effectively critiques a society that often overlooks the burdens women endure, making the story not only engaging but also deeply reflective.

Meanwhile, the short stories “Cursed Bunny” and “Scars” focus more on the theme of revenge. Both narratives delve deeply into how revenge is a never-ending cycle that only brings suffering. The author illustrates that while revenge may provide fleeting satisfaction, it ultimately hurts the perpetrator and creates an unending cycle of hatred.

On the other hand, the stories “Snare” and “Ruler of the Winds and Sands” emphasize the theme of human greed. In these stories, the author clearly shows how greed can destroy a person’s life. Characters ensnared by their own avarice ultimately meet their downfall due to unchecked ambition, imparting the lesson that greed will consume us from within.

The author also introduces a tense horror element in “The Frozen Finger”. This story is filled with a chilling atmosphere and haunting sensations, adding thematic variety to the collection. Additionally, “Home Sweet Home” presents the story of a lonely woman who experiences betrayal, depicting profound feelings of isolation and disappointment.

The stories “Goodbye, My Love” and “Reunion” intertwine themes of loneliness and solitude. The author skillfully explores how these characters grapple with the shackles of their isolation. Loneliness becomes a strong thread running through these narratives, providing a deep emotional resonance for readers.

I had the pleasure of reading Cursed Bunny in its English translation by Anton Hur. From start to finish, the narrative flowed seamlessly, and I encountered no significant difficulties in grasping the stories. Anton Hur’s translation is nothing short of masterful; he meticulously preserves the nuances and intensity of Bora Chung’s original prose. His skillful translation ensures that the unique voice and unsettling atmosphere of each story resonate deeply with readers.

Overall, the short stories in this collection emphasize themes related to women and complex social issues. The author skillfully captures various aspects of life, from revenge to loneliness and the unchecked greed of humanity. Each story encourages readers to reflect on the social and emotional realities faced by the characters, making this book both thought-provoking and captivating. For anyone seeking a bold and unique narrative, Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung is an excellent choice.

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valjeanval's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional tense 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? Yes

5.0

Well this is a weird and wonderful little collection which I'll be thinking about for a long time. It's definitely got more horror elements than I'm usually comfortable with, but I think it's a prime example of using genre to explore the way we function in society. "The Embodiment" in particular is going to stick with me, I feel. It's almost Kafka-esque in its surreality, and the translation, while pretty sparse, serves the subject really well. An awesome collection if you have both a strong heart and stomach.

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almostqualified's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

4.5

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caitlin_rhind's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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naa_'s review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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bookforestsprite's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.0

Alles in allem hat mir der Band an Kurzgeschichten sehr gefallen. "Der Kopf", "Der Fluch des Hasen", "Narben" und "Herrscher über Wind und Sand" haben mir besonders gut gefallen, die letzteren beiden hatten tolle märchenhafte Elemente, die sie aber doch interessant unterwanderten. "Die Falle" war sehr verstörend, aber toll. "Der Eisfinger" und "Das Wiedersehen" hab ich abgebrochen – zu wirr oder langweilig.

Die Übersetzung könnte durchaus geschmeidiger sein. Besonders bei den Geschichten, die ins Fabelähnliche gehen, hätte man den Ton besser anpassen können.

Lektorat durchwachsen – viel zu viele Kommas überall.

Insgesamt eine Sammlung außergewöhnlicher, interessant verstörender Kurzgeschichten.

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