Scan barcode
A review by imogenrose97
Ru by Kim Thúy
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Another 5 star read! What struck me about this book was just how many parts of it were painfully perfect for me. The lyrical writing described horrific images in a way that left you feeling sick with guilt that this is what has been and is still being experienced, and yet was contrasted within a page with human joy which even then contours days of repeated sorrows.
The story flowed through vignettes that took a theme from the previous vignette's final words, creating a gentle slide from one to the next throughout the book. It felt like sliding down one of those slides with the humps, lifting you up and dropping you back down.
The final perfection for me is the way that were was not really a plot, the themes from the vignettes dipped from one to the next and though the time periods change from page to page I never felt lost or confused about where I was supposed to be and who I was supposed to remember. Themes of family and culture were discussed with grace and curiosity and the people depicted each were vivid and fleshed out despite the shortness of the book. I couldn't recommend it more.
Who should read this:
The story flowed through vignettes that took a theme from the previous vignette's final words, creating a gentle slide from one to the next throughout the book. It felt like sliding down one of those slides with the humps, lifting you up and dropping you back down.
The final perfection for me is the way that were was not really a plot, the themes from the vignettes dipped from one to the next and though the time periods change from page to page I never felt lost or confused about where I was supposed to be and who I was supposed to remember. Themes of family and culture were discussed with grace and curiosity and the people depicted each were vivid and fleshed out despite the shortness of the book. I couldn't recommend it more.
Who should read this:
- Those interested in stories of emigration, family and motherhood
- No plot just vibes and incredible writing
- The complexity of responsibility, kindness and motherhood. How difficult it is to be both mother and friend.