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itsjyotsna's review against another edition
2.0
Disclaimer: I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a complimentary e-copy of this book. This in no way affects my thoughts and opinions of this book, which are my own.
To be honest, I was first intrigued by the cover and premise of the book. The premise seemed intriguing- 3 modern women in 1990's Hong Kong, and their relationship issues. Unfortunately, the execution of the novel fell quite flat. These characters were so unlikeable and also just kind of boring. I found myself either rolling my eyes or wondering what somewhat sane person would act in the manner of these women. I understand they're relatively young, but it seemed as though some of their actions were done solely to increase the drama in the stories, and keep the readers interested (in which it did not succeed). A good story doesn't need likable characters, or even sane characters to be successful (think Gone Girl) but it does need characters who are consistent with themselves, at the least.
The characters weren't the only problem. The plot itself was weak. There were multiple minor plot points that really didn't need to be included, and just distracted from the story. Harsher editing could have cut these moments out, and kept the story somewhat on track. In addition, some of the plot points just seemed repetitive, and I found myself wondering if I had accidentally gone backwards in the book and was re-reading the same scene.
I wouldn't recommend this book to many people, honestly. It had a lot of potential, but it fell very flat. What the author was good at (and why I gave it 2 stars as opposed to 1) was interweaving the stories together, and not having too many characters. Each character was pretty distinct and memorable, and as a reader, I didn't feel overwhelmed with an excessive cast of characters.
To be honest, I was first intrigued by the cover and premise of the book. The premise seemed intriguing- 3 modern women in 1990's Hong Kong, and their relationship issues. Unfortunately, the execution of the novel fell quite flat. These characters were so unlikeable and also just kind of boring. I found myself either rolling my eyes or wondering what somewhat sane person would act in the manner of these women. I understand they're relatively young, but it seemed as though some of their actions were done solely to increase the drama in the stories, and keep the readers interested (in which it did not succeed). A good story doesn't need likable characters, or even sane characters to be successful (think Gone Girl) but it does need characters who are consistent with themselves, at the least.
The characters weren't the only problem. The plot itself was weak. There were multiple minor plot points that really didn't need to be included, and just distracted from the story. Harsher editing could have cut these moments out, and kept the story somewhat on track. In addition, some of the plot points just seemed repetitive, and I found myself wondering if I had accidentally gone backwards in the book and was re-reading the same scene.
I wouldn't recommend this book to many people, honestly. It had a lot of potential, but it fell very flat. What the author was good at (and why I gave it 2 stars as opposed to 1) was interweaving the stories together, and not having too many characters. Each character was pretty distinct and memorable, and as a reader, I didn't feel overwhelmed with an excessive cast of characters.
ashleighbeanxo's review
5.0
Thank you to Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
This book is beautifully written. It follows the story of Chow Jeoi, a lingerie saleswoman, who is in love and having an affair with a married man, and her two friends, Chui Yuk and Yau Ying, who are also somewhat unlucky in love. When I read a quick summary of what this book was about, I didn't think I would be able to sympathise with the main character being 'the other woman', but Amy Cheung managed to convey the emotions and heartbreak of it beautifully. By the end of the book, my heart was breaking for Chow Jeoi, and I feel like I need to know what happens next. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would happily recommend to all on Goodreads to pick this book up!
This book is beautifully written. It follows the story of Chow Jeoi, a lingerie saleswoman, who is in love and having an affair with a married man, and her two friends, Chui Yuk and Yau Ying, who are also somewhat unlucky in love. When I read a quick summary of what this book was about, I didn't think I would be able to sympathise with the main character being 'the other woman', but Amy Cheung managed to convey the emotions and heartbreak of it beautifully. By the end of the book, my heart was breaking for Chow Jeoi, and I feel like I need to know what happens next. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would happily recommend to all on Goodreads to pick this book up!
booking_along's review against another edition
3.0
The books starts with the rather catching sentences: "I've always wanted to write a story whose protagonist a bra"
To me that looks like a very different and Interesting sounding start.
Sadly for me the story could not stand up the that, and felt a bit flat overall to me.
There was just something missing! that hooked me, in the writing, the characters and the overall story itself.
The characters missed actual characterization for me, the overall story for me had no point of actual plot to follow along and felt more like different short stories put together to try and get an entire book together instead of an actual completed and finished story. The entire thing just was a bit of a "what am I reading here" moment from start to finish.
That does not mean that this is a bad book, or not worth for anyone to try!
It simply means that for me personally right now, this book was not right.
That can have different reasons, for one I could just not have been in the mood for this specific type of books , the more romentic, not really having a topic kind of book.
Or thre might have been something lost in the translation. Or in the overall cultural differences between what is seen as funny or cute and what I think is.
Either way this book was not what I expect and sadly that meant that I did not have the best time reading this.
BUT if you are someone that loves a differen type of romance book, if you want to read something translated by a Hong Kong author?
If you just love all kinds of romance stories in general? Give this a try and see if it is to your taste.
*i recieved a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley for free in exchanged for a honest review!*
jessicabeckett's review against another edition
2.0
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via Net Galley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.
There was something entirely disappointing about Hummingbirds Fly Backwards--sure, there was/is solid writing, gorgeous cover art, a catchy title and opening sentence. But there is something incredibly flat about the entire story itself; constantly lacking something for me. I can't quite pinpoint all that was wrong with it because it did have a world of promise, but it just didn't work for me. I put it down often, wondering if it was just me, but looking now at its rating I see there is a general nod to how lackluster it felt in its reviews.
Although most people will disagree with me, I found one of the character's nature to be the novels biggest--perhaps, only--saving grace. Only one. She is unlikable as can be, but for this reader it was to the point where I couldn't help but to like her all the more for it. Sometimes you just can't connect with a character and their flaws, or their complete inability to connect with their reality, but you don't always have to. Chow Jeoi is an unlikable lead but that's just about the most charming thing about Hummingbirds Fly Backwards. While I didn't necessarily root for her, I did find myself feeling rather fond of her and her delusion, her flaws, and she is the only reason I gave the novel 2-stars instead of 1.
Continued: BOOKEDJ
There was something entirely disappointing about Hummingbirds Fly Backwards--sure, there was/is solid writing, gorgeous cover art, a catchy title and opening sentence. But there is something incredibly flat about the entire story itself; constantly lacking something for me. I can't quite pinpoint all that was wrong with it because it did have a world of promise, but it just didn't work for me. I put it down often, wondering if it was just me, but looking now at its rating I see there is a general nod to how lackluster it felt in its reviews.
Although most people will disagree with me, I found one of the character's nature to be the novels biggest--perhaps, only--saving grace. Only one. She is unlikable as can be, but for this reader it was to the point where I couldn't help but to like her all the more for it. Sometimes you just can't connect with a character and their flaws, or their complete inability to connect with their reality, but you don't always have to. Chow Jeoi is an unlikable lead but that's just about the most charming thing about Hummingbirds Fly Backwards. While I didn't necessarily root for her, I did find myself feeling rather fond of her and her delusion, her flaws, and she is the only reason I gave the novel 2-stars instead of 1.
Continued: BOOKEDJ
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