Reviews

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

oxnard_montalvo's review against another edition

Heartbreaking, and so layered. Ng manages to convey so much in the gaps between what is said and what isn't. I would have liked to see a little more of Hannah's side of things, I get that her prescence was partly device as much as character, and all her scenes left me a full of ache for her lonely existence. Similarly with Nate. The animosity with Jake was certainly interesting, but I just wanted a little bit more from him. A tantalising and satisfying glimpse of the future (if a touch frustrating lol) very elegantly done.

caliseales's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

picho_vm's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad 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

4.0

shriya_vn's review

emotional mysterious sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I was not expecting this book to be as sad as it was (I know the synopsis is sad but omg). It’s so tragic, just a series of unfortunate events. It seems as though everything coalesced, since decades before the time of the story, and the stars aligned for the outcome to be what it was. But, it’s such a tragically beautiful story that you understand the grief of the characters. At least you get the feeling that things will, eventually, be ok.

Omg this family is so messed up. James and Marilyn are terrible. It just made everything more awful, like a Greek tragedy where the outcome was fated to happen.

abbeybradley's review against another edition

5.0

Marinated in my thoughts and feelings about this book for a day and all I can say is.......I LOVE THIS BOOK. READ IT.

i_need_new_books's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

vlreid's review against another edition

5.0

An incredibly compelling novel set in the late 1970's in small town Ohio and focusing on a Chinese American family of five. In the first paragraph, we find out that Lydia, the ‘favorite’ middle child, is dead. As the story progresses, we learn about each family member and their role / relationship to Lydia. Secrets are concealed but also revealed. Conversations and behaviors are filtered, hidden, and uncovered. The truth slowly unfolds.

Many social issues are covered in this book: the role of women in the society of the 1970s, stereotyping of immigrants, how race impacts each of the Lee family members, and how each of the three Lee children have been raised vastly differently.

The story is non-linear, jumping around in time from when the parents first meet to the present day (1977). Typically I don’t like non-linear storytelling, but this novel had me riveted. I finished this book three weeks ago and I’m still thinking about the story and the characters – a true sign that a book has touched me.

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

jaxgulasy's review

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated

4.0

charlotter191's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

gtian's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0