Your perspective is always so unique!! You described her style so well; her concision was refrshing and extremely readable to me. Loved hearing your in depth thoughts on this one. I will have to give it another try eventually 😂 When I'm ready to take on Hansu.
This book intimidates me honestly, but I am more interested now that you mentioned it touches on identity. Honestly, I wish I can just tell people "I am just a human being", but that might come off rude.
I liked reading it at the time it dropped, but since read a lot more historical fiction and it’s kind of revealed it to feel kind of paint by numbers. I am sure it’s success has influenced people plotting and handling that kinda fiction going forward like a tried and true recipe. I did think it made its point pretty well though. Nice to hear what you think. Always very thoughtful!
Ah interesting take! I remember when it came out, but held off on it for a while. I've read a lot of historical fiction and it's not the best out there, but she gets the job done. I appreciate her directness. And thank you!!
@@alanaestelle2076 the basic premise without spoilers is the author writing the same book you read while waiting for another IRL book in the mail and at the same time going on a journey to publish his book in an alternative now America where the powers that be had full control over the nation and do whatever they want. I’m sure you can guess what this is a commentary on
Wonderful review 💗As a person also of mixed ethnicity & culture whose lived all over the world (still lookin for home) the themes really resonated (i purchased B Anderson's 'Imagined Communities' whom MJL quotes in the opening of one of the chapters). Your thoughts around Han Su's character is *exactly* as i perceived; complex conflicted paradoxical (tragic) etc which to me was one of the greatest strengths / compelling aspects.. couldn't entirely hate him though prolly should etc. 4.25* also from me no kidding! Fan request: please consider reviewing As Meat Loves Salt (M. McCann) cuz "..we all a little shady". 🥰
Thank you! haha yea I know what you mean - the older I get I care less and less about any one group taking me in, culturally. Yes - Hansu is just really fascinating and I always find morally grey characters to be the most interesting. I should probably hate Hansu too, but I can't LOL. Ooooh I haven't heard of that book - I'll have to look into it.
I *really* liked this one, too! Although...come to think of it, I remember thinking that it _almost_ felt like it was written by more than one person. Maybe that's just me, though. 🤷🏼♀ 🙄
Perhaps it's easier to understand the past than it is to understand the future? idk - tho certainly the present seems to pivot on cultural collective-identities, and the wisdom of the past is presented as the quaint things we sometimes reluctantly must unhaul. Personally, I cling to the belief that history is the thing we repeat when we fail to recognize its lessons, but of course I'm getting old. So, do we pretend not to recognize that some people look alike? Do we lie to ourselves? Do we accept what is given, or complain it isn't ideal?
Haha I don't know - granted I was a History major, so I feel like I'm constantly making comparisons and nothing seems truly "new" to me with world events. I think a lot of people are willfully ignorant and refuse to see that things truly repeat.
“History existed to be retold, with more panache but not necessarily greater accuracy.” ― Stacy Schiff, Cleopatra: A Life p 5 “The next great war wont arrive until everyone who remembers the last one is dead.” ― Cormac McCarthy, Stella Maris
Your perspective is always so unique!! You described her style so well; her concision was refrshing and extremely readable to me. Loved hearing your in depth thoughts on this one. I will have to give it another try eventually 😂 When I'm ready to take on Hansu.
Thanks Christy!!❤️ LOOOOL Hansu is a trip with NO luggage😂
Coming over from Brian's shout-out, and happy to see Pachinko among your reviews... 🤗
Hi! Thank you so much for coming over! ❤️Yes, I loved Pachinko!! I still think about it.
This book intimidates me honestly, but I am more interested now that you mentioned it touches on identity. Honestly, I wish I can just tell people "I am just a human being", but that might come off rude.
It's a more straightforward read than I anticipated! Hahaha - that response does catch people off guard. You can see them thinking.
I liked reading it at the time it dropped, but since read a lot more historical fiction and it’s kind of revealed it to feel kind of paint by numbers. I am sure it’s success has influenced people plotting and handling that kinda fiction going forward like a tried and true recipe. I did think it made its point pretty well though. Nice to hear what you think. Always very thoughtful!
Ah interesting take! I remember when it came out, but held off on it for a while. I've read a lot of historical fiction and it's not the best out there, but she gets the job done. I appreciate her directness. And thank you!!
Love your review ! You are really good in peeling all the leyers ! Thank you
Thank you so much!
What you need to read I feel is America and the Cult of the Cactus Boots by Philip Freedenberg
Haha could you elaborate?
@@alanaestelle2076 personally I consider it the greatest novel of this century so far my biggest recommendation to anyone
@@alanaestelle2076 the basic premise without spoilers is the author writing the same book you read while waiting for another IRL book in the mail and at the same time going on a journey to publish his book in an alternative now America where the powers that be had full control over the nation and do whatever they want. I’m sure you can guess what this is a commentary on
I own this one. Can't wait to try it out. Waiting on a friend to me ready to read it.
Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this one!
Very insightful! My wife read it and she liked it although maybe not loved it. I haven’t read it but it sounds like it’s worth a read - thanks 🙏🏻
Thank you! Yes, I think overall, it's a worthwhile read!
Wonderful review 💗As a person also of mixed ethnicity & culture whose lived all over the world (still lookin for home) the themes really resonated (i purchased B Anderson's 'Imagined Communities' whom MJL quotes in the opening of one of the chapters). Your thoughts around Han Su's character is *exactly* as i perceived; complex conflicted paradoxical (tragic) etc which to me was one of the greatest strengths / compelling aspects.. couldn't entirely hate him though prolly should etc. 4.25* also from me no kidding! Fan request: please consider reviewing As Meat Loves Salt (M. McCann) cuz "..we all a little shady". 🥰
Thank you! haha yea I know what you mean - the older I get I care less and less about any one group taking me in, culturally. Yes - Hansu is just really fascinating and I always find morally grey characters to be the most interesting. I should probably hate Hansu too, but I can't LOL. Ooooh I haven't heard of that book - I'll have to look into it.
@@alanaestelle2076 Ditto on both points. You will *love* AMLS (eat my shorts if you don't).😆👍
Sapiens Fortunam Fingit Sibi.
I *really* liked this one, too! Although...come to think of it, I remember thinking that it _almost_ felt like it was written by more than one person. Maybe that's just me, though. 🤷🏼♀ 🙄
Ah, that's interesting! What makes you think that?
@@alanaestelle2076 I dunno...I guess it didn't flow like I would have liked; it seemed a little disjointed. 🤷🏼♀
Perhaps it's easier to understand the past than it is to understand the future? idk - tho certainly the present seems to pivot on cultural collective-identities, and the wisdom of the past is presented as the quaint things we sometimes reluctantly must unhaul. Personally, I cling to the belief that history is the thing we repeat when we fail to recognize its lessons, but of course I'm getting old. So, do we pretend not to recognize that some people look alike? Do we lie to ourselves? Do we accept what is given, or complain it isn't ideal?
Haha I don't know - granted I was a History major, so I feel like I'm constantly making comparisons and nothing seems truly "new" to me with world events. I think a lot of people are willfully ignorant and refuse to see that things truly repeat.
“History existed to be retold, with more panache but not necessarily greater accuracy.” ― Stacy Schiff, Cleopatra: A Life p 5
“The next great war wont arrive until everyone who remembers the last one is dead.” ― Cormac McCarthy, Stella Maris
This was really interesting.. Not even sure I've even heard of this before 🤷♀
Thank you! Hope you're interest is piqued with this one☺️