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axyl's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book moving and full of all sorts of contradictions.
juliecolsen21's review against another edition
3.0
Originally Read Oct 2015, Re-reading for book Club May 2017
bryanltimms's review against another edition
4.0
Really 4.5. The story is excellent and sorrowful even as it is beautiful. The writing is sometimes a bit too removed but fits the narrator. It made me realize how much of Malaysian history I didn't know. Most of it.
A few places felt like I was reading a clever WW2 caper from Neil Stephenson (Cryptonomicron) and I felt this and some weak writing (the writing of landscape was superb - some of the best I've seen). detracted from the novel a tad.
Over all, an engrossing read.
Update: 2016 - I find my affection for this novel has grown in my memory these past two years. If I reread it now, I would forgive some of its weaknesses. Really, I may change my rating.
A few places felt like I was reading a clever WW2 caper from Neil Stephenson (Cryptonomicron) and I felt this and some weak writing (the writing of landscape was superb - some of the best I've seen). detracted from the novel a tad.
Over all, an engrossing read.
Update: 2016 - I find my affection for this novel has grown in my memory these past two years. If I reread it now, I would forgive some of its weaknesses. Really, I may change my rating.
sjffy's review against another edition
3.0
What started as an atmospheric and melancholy exploration of grief and trauma evolved into more of a melodrama with plot twists at every turn. I preferred the book I started reading to the one I finished.
gayle_gifford's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a number of chapters to engage with the book as the language was kind of clunky. But the story line carried me through and I was glad I stuck with it.
maria_rb's review against another edition
3.0
A friend recommended this because it blends my own cultural background into a single story. It is a very slow-moving story, but has poetic elements that I love. It also, however, feels unreal and dreamlike, more than a tale with verisimilitude.
tristrams's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
farmer_annie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
enzsch's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
4.5
I really loved this book much more than expected (mostly bc I sometimes don’t expect incredible things from the booker shortlist and it could have easily read quite cheesy). It was unlike any book that I have read in that it was incredibly incredibly atmospheric and the setting could have carried the book alone! Ok I so loooove the vibes of Malaysian highlands and I am biased but I think I am also correct.
The setting really stood out, but I think there is plenty to love aside from that. The characters are really interesting and it feels like you are dropped into a whole mystery that unfolds very perfectly and at exactly the right pace. It’s funny because it is so atmospheric that you feel somewhat removed and that the stakes are lower than a pure mystery book (despite some pretty intense subject matter) but I really enjoyed this vibe. Also, some really cool interesting plot additions that added extra ✨sparkle✨ like the Japanese tattoo culture and Japanese suicide bombing and the communist Malaysian insurgence and even birds nests and their interactions with the orang asli
The main characters like aritomo, tatsuji and the pretoriuses were also enigmas that unfolded in such a delicious (ick) way. Highly recommend, gna read house of doors next and really happy that malaysia has such talented and original authors wooooo. Loved the writing about peranakan culture
The setting really stood out, but I think there is plenty to love aside from that. The characters are really interesting and it feels like you are dropped into a whole mystery that unfolds very perfectly and at exactly the right pace. It’s funny because it is so atmospheric that you feel somewhat removed and that the stakes are lower than a pure mystery book (despite some pretty intense subject matter) but I really enjoyed this vibe. Also, some really cool interesting plot additions that added extra ✨sparkle✨ like the Japanese tattoo culture and Japanese suicide bombing and the communist Malaysian insurgence and even birds nests and their interactions with the orang asli
The main characters like aritomo, tatsuji and the pretoriuses were also enigmas that unfolded in such a delicious (ick) way. Highly recommend, gna read house of doors next and really happy that malaysia has such talented and original authors wooooo. Loved the writing about peranakan culture