A review by snowhitereads
A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers by Xiaolu Guo

challenging emotional reflective fast-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

4.0

 
I miss finding books this way.

I stumbled across this book randomly at a bookstore. 
The title really intrigued me, but I never heard of it or the author and had absolutely no idea what it was about.

This book is a fictional version of the author’s diary in a year that she moved to England to learn English for a year.

I have never read anything like it.

Throughout the book we get to see the main character improving her english, and the evolution from the beginning of the book to the end of it is enormous. 

The way the author plays with language and her talent to convey such deep feelings and introspections through the most rudimentary sentences about love and culture shock is truly amazing.

This is a hidden gem for sure, and I will certainly look into the author’s work.

If you’re looking for a one of a kind book, this is definitely it. 

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