Reviews

The Road to Wanting by Wendy Law-Yone

rhodaj's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

yinflower's review against another edition

dark funny reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Suicide

Moderate: Self harm, Classism, Death, War, Suicidal thoughts, and Kidnapping

Minor: Abortion and Slavery

nocto's review against another edition

3.0

Another one off the Orange Prize Longlist. Na Ga tells her life story in a rambling manner, from her childhood as a member of the Wild Lu in Burma via an adoption by an American family, time working in a brothel, a relationship with a Westerner, to the town of Wanting on her way back to Burma. The dual meaning of "Wanting" is obviously intentional.

I found the narrative captivating at first, then put the book down for a long time and couldn't be bothered to finish it. When I did pick it up again I found it quite the page turner again. Not sure what happened in the middle really but it lost my interest somewhere. So in the end I'm not really sure what to make of it. I thought it was a good book but I'd hesitate to recommend it.

sophronisba's review against another edition

3.0

The ending worked, but so much of the book felt like a long, brutal series of horrible things happening to the lead character--the plot wasn't strong enough for me and I didn't think the characters felt real. Beautifully written, though.