Reviews

Big Breasts and Wide Hips by Mo Yan, Howard Goldblatt

devinayo's review against another edition

5.0

Sweeping theatrical account on a family, blessed by majestic and resilient women but cursed by the men.

serafyne's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense slow-paced

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

1.5

I think this is a well written book but I did not enjoy reading it at all. I hated the protagonist and most of the book was spent in their head so I struggled with that. 
It is a very violent novel set during a very tumultuous period of history. At times I felt like the lingering descriptions of violence, especially against women, felt a bit gratuitous.
I thought some of the other characters were quite compelling but we only see or hear of them through the unlikeable narrator and they get increasingly less time as the novel goes on.

At various points throughout the novel, I would would finish a scene and think, well at least it can't get worse than that! And then it did. 🙃

I would read another of the author's books but I only finished this one because I was reading it for a bookclub. 

kabukiboy's review against another edition

5.0

Mo Yan fan here.

josephine687's review against another edition

A bit slow, got distracted.

daimencianci's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective

• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

zikapepi98's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Genocide, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Incest, Toxic relationship, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Alcoholism, Suicide, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Classism, Colonisation, Death, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Rape, Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Fatphobia, Infidelity, and War

tove_'s review against another edition

4.0

6/10

embre's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Torture, Vomit, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, and War

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Genocide, Gun violence, Mental illness, Xenophobia, Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, and Grief

novkap's review against another edition

3.0

I can see why someone much more intelligent would adore this book. For me, it was a challenge to get through.

faeden's review against another edition

3.0

At times, I thought this book was amazing, and profound, at other times, I was confused, and thought it was really strange, and made no sense. I don't understand enough of the commentary.