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dhalse's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
coumcc's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
clairerobinson90's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
An incredible book, but unfortunately the ending could have been much better.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
kindredbooks's review against another edition
3.75
I received a copy of Aftershock by Zhang Ling and translated by Shelly Bryant from Over the River PR in exchange for an honest review.
Aftershock is a novel based on the true event of the Tangshan earthquake in 1976. The story takes place over 30 years following the lives of a family separated by the tragic events on July 28, 1976. Yuanni makes a heartbreaking choice between her two children - a son and daughter - after the two are trapped under a cement slab. After a long moment of silence and consideration, Yuanni chooses Xiaoda - choosing her soon, a decision that will stay with Yuanni, Xiaoda, and also Xiaodeng, her daughter. Miraculously, Xiangdeng survives, unbeknownst to her family but loses her memory of her past and finds herself adopted by a couple. As the story progresses through the years, readers follow this family as they mourn, grieve, and do their best to survive the events from that fateful day. Xiaodeng is now in Canada where she is a an acclaimed writer who can not escape the pain of her past - and until she goes to uncover the secrets in her missing memory, she may not be able to find happiness.
Aftershock was a hearbreaking novel about family, survival, and trauma. It's a story about the complications of family - when choices are hard and impossible, when mistakes are made that are irreversible and wipe away years of good memories, and also the path that one needs to take in order to find a way home. The story is told through multiple perspectives in a non-linear style as we move back and forth in the three decades that the story takes place in. In a story that spans such a long period of time, with so many important characters, I really enjoyed reading it this way as it allowed me, as a reader, to really connect and understand the thoughts and motivations of Xiaodeng, her mother, and her brother.
The writing itself was beautiful and descriptive and allowed for the emotions to really make its way off the page. As I reading through the story, I had a thought, "this translator must be really good." Because while the story was beautiful in English, I felt like I could tell what the original Chinese would have been - a language that I find able to be so eloquent and descriptive. I really enjoyed the story - its emotional journey, the cultural and political landscape that it's set in, and its satisfying and reconciliatory conclusion.
Aftershock is a novel based on the true event of the Tangshan earthquake in 1976. The story takes place over 30 years following the lives of a family separated by the tragic events on July 28, 1976. Yuanni makes a heartbreaking choice between her two children - a son and daughter - after the two are trapped under a cement slab. After a long moment of silence and consideration, Yuanni chooses Xiaoda - choosing her soon, a decision that will stay with Yuanni, Xiaoda, and also Xiaodeng, her daughter. Miraculously, Xiangdeng survives, unbeknownst to her family but loses her memory of her past and finds herself adopted by a couple. As the story progresses through the years, readers follow this family as they mourn, grieve, and do their best to survive the events from that fateful day. Xiaodeng is now in Canada where she is a an acclaimed writer who can not escape the pain of her past - and until she goes to uncover the secrets in her missing memory, she may not be able to find happiness.
Aftershock was a hearbreaking novel about family, survival, and trauma. It's a story about the complications of family - when choices are hard and impossible, when mistakes are made that are irreversible and wipe away years of good memories, and also the path that one needs to take in order to find a way home. The story is told through multiple perspectives in a non-linear style as we move back and forth in the three decades that the story takes place in. In a story that spans such a long period of time, with so many important characters, I really enjoyed reading it this way as it allowed me, as a reader, to really connect and understand the thoughts and motivations of Xiaodeng, her mother, and her brother.
The writing itself was beautiful and descriptive and allowed for the emotions to really make its way off the page. As I reading through the story, I had a thought, "this translator must be really good." Because while the story was beautiful in English, I felt like I could tell what the original Chinese would have been - a language that I find able to be so eloquent and descriptive. I really enjoyed the story - its emotional journey, the cultural and political landscape that it's set in, and its satisfying and reconciliatory conclusion.
aileen369's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
chfugal's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Own ebook, Willow recommended.
Translated from Chinese
Translated from Chinese
anusplugger's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I feel like in a way the ending was somewhat rushed. It left a lot of questions more than answers, but I guess that's how acceptance and healing works. Even with all of these gaps, you just have to learn how to cope with it and move on. All of the characters showed their struggles in different ways and it was interesting how the trauma of 2 siblings who went through the same thing, live completely different lives and coped with it differently. Definitely helped give me insight on even myself and to reflect on myself with how I react towards tough situations.