Scan barcode
A review by bailanlala
Last Words from Montmartre by Qiu Miaojin
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
祝她安息
this was the first novel i had read in Chinese language, and i'm very glad that for my first Chinese piece of writing i could read something by qiu miaojin. i had read the english translation of notes of a crocodile the year beforehand which left a deep impression on me, and this book was no different. knowing how qiu's life ended in tragedy situates her semi-autobiographical writing, and the blur between what is real and what is fiction makes this piece so tragic and difficult to read. very glad that qiu left these notes behind and that we have the chance to construct a history of chinese lesbianism, just wish she was still with us to share in it. it is so striking how lesbian angst and yearning resonates across generations and across languages. may she rest in peace.
this was the first novel i had read in Chinese language, and i'm very glad that for my first Chinese piece of writing i could read something by qiu miaojin. i had read the english translation of notes of a crocodile the year beforehand which left a deep impression on me, and this book was no different. knowing how qiu's life ended in tragedy situates her semi-autobiographical writing, and the blur between what is real and what is fiction makes this piece so tragic and difficult to read. very glad that qiu left these notes behind and that we have the chance to construct a history of chinese lesbianism, just wish she was still with us to share in it. it is so striking how lesbian angst and yearning resonates across generations and across languages. may she rest in peace.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide