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sumaiyanaomi's review
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.0
scgonano's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, and Sexual violence
Minor: Blood
sameeha_r05's review
dark
sad
tense
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
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Racism, Misogyny, and Infidelity
open_far's review
4.0
I really liked it - a complex and respectful portrayal of a Taiwanese-Australian millennial. Fun and easy to read, but engaged with difficult questions of a young person navigating their internalised racism and sexism - not many works can be so accessible to and engaging of a broad audience.
A strength of this novel is that it does not shy away from the imbalances of power in Jena's sexual relationships, nor her Chinese/attractive-bodied privilege - not a didactic/politically correct representation :p and hence more uncomfortably ambiguous for audiences.
A strength of this novel is that it does not shy away from the imbalances of power in Jena's sexual relationships, nor her Chinese/attractive-bodied privilege - not a didactic/politically correct representation :p and hence more uncomfortably ambiguous for audiences.
through_my_eyes81's review
4.0
Jena was a child prodigy violinist. She fell from a high profile career and is trying to find herself. Her self esteem is rock bottom and fills the loneliness void with men.
rebekahrahrah's review
3.0
There are already plenty of reviews on why Jena was an inherently unlikable character, but I think the main thing that stuck out for me was that she raises many good points on [psychology, sexism, racism, the patriarchy], and then leaves them floating in the air unresolved. Her relationship with Mark epitomises this in a way; there's much talk of why the relationship is toxic but not until Tuba makes moves to start dismantling the idea of orchestras being tied to playing old, white, dead men's music, does Jena finally do something about Mark herself. I guess I just wanted a lonely girl to be more of a strong thing than a dangerous thing.
Not sure if this reflects on Tu (the valid points with no follow through) (not a critique; Lord knows I'm opinionated and passionate but also incredibly lazy), but I'm interested to see what she writes next.
Not sure if this reflects on Tu (the valid points with no follow through) (not a critique; Lord knows I'm opinionated and passionate but also incredibly lazy), but I'm interested to see what she writes next.
gab12's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual violence
Minor: Rape
tttam's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Racism
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Rape