Reviews

Diary of a Madman and Other Stories by Xun Lu, 魯迅, William A. Lyell

hades9stages's review against another edition

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5.0

audio book review: it’s great. the reviews for the individual stories will be on their unique goodreads page :)

k_fairii's review against another edition

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2.0

It's not you, it's me

100reads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny informative mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Need to reread. Most of it went over my head. 

sarapalooza's review against another edition

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4.0

NOTE - I have only read Kong Yiji, Ah Q, and Madman!

Enjoyed reading one of the fathers of modern Chinese literature for the first time!

I’m sad to say, I hadn’t heard of him before and first discovered his work through some article or other online. Chinese literature is something I’d like to dive deeper into some day. My first introduction to him was “Diary of a Madman,” which was modeled after Gogol’s work of a similar title and which Lu used to critique traditional society of the time. It was “Kong Yiji” that spoke to me the most. Fascinating and sad, it tells the story of a man who does not belong in the modern time. “Ah Q” was ironic and tragic and I’m told comments a lot of Chinese culture at the time. This isn’t something I know much about and would be curious to learn more. I’m told many of his works are still taught in curriculum in his home country. That’s some staying power! A pioneer of written vernacular Chinese, Lu Xun is closely associated with the May 4th Movement.

awesomerah's review against another edition

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slow-paced

2.5

arveparve's review against another edition

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

shanviolinlove's review against another edition

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4.0

For my World Lit survey class; coupling this with my recent rendez-vous of Scorcese's Shutter Island, I must say it is intriguing the position that this protagonist finds himself. Because we are employed in his mind and narrative only, we can easily see from where his accusations and suspicions arise; it makes everyone else look sinister. At times, it helps to remind oneself of the title, lest everyone is an enemy in this story.

literaties's review against another edition

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3.0

read for class

sharonb's review against another edition

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3.5

My rating is for the diary of a madman. I read 2 of the other stories but don't remember much about them. I may come back to the others again sometime.

When I get more time will return with some thoughts about madman.

breadandmushrooms's review against another edition

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reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5