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lucybbookstuff's Reviews (382)
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
This is a very beautiful memoir by a young woman who more than deserves to tell her own story. It's definitely more a recounting of events to set the record straight than a display of literary mastery or a deep exploration of any concepts. Which is 100% fine. I'm just glad Shari is reclaiming the narrative around her family's very public turmoil, and now she can live in peace and keep the rest of her life for herself.
This audiobook was extremely bingeable. Quick, snappy chapters and a very straightforward narrative. Definitely recommend for memoir lovers and true crime enthusiasts (though please go in with respect and care).
I will say, it makes me kind of uncomfortable that despite everything, including her seeming understanding of the part it played, Shari is still a faithful member of the LDS church. Far be it from me to criticize her for what brings light and joy into her life after so much pain. But I do find that choice kind of at odds with reality.
This audiobook was extremely bingeable. Quick, snappy chapters and a very straightforward narrative. Definitely recommend for memoir lovers and true crime enthusiasts (though please go in with respect and care).
I will say, it makes me kind of uncomfortable that despite everything, including her seeming understanding of the part it played, Shari is still a faithful member of the LDS church. Far be it from me to criticize her for what brings light and joy into her life after so much pain. But I do find that choice kind of at odds with reality.
adventurous
informative
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this!!!
I went in with some specific expectations that I think helped me a lot.
1) This book is like a really long prologue to the rest of the story.
2) Ken Liu is a short story writer and that comes through in this (and maybe all of them).
Knowing both of those things prepared me so well for the "historical text" feeling of this book. Some of the people I read it with complained of not connecting to the characters and feeling that the dialogue was awkward (which is all fair). But I think that, due to my expectations and the way my brain manages them, none of that bothered me. I didn't expect very straightforward storytelling or super realistic in-the-moment conversations. It read like an oral history, and I found that super cool. Yes, it was very slow, but for that reason, I let myself take it slow. I felt no need to charge through this. I took my time and savored it. It really felt like learning the history of a real place.
I did also personally feel connected to the characters. Liu made me love and mourn for some characters who only existed for a handful of pages. Let alone the actual main characters that we followed. I love a huge cast and he used his so well.
Despite the slowness of this book, I was never bored. So much happened, and I could never tell exactly where it was going. So the entire time, I had no idea what story this "prologue" might be leading to, which kept me engaged to find out.
I also just loved Liu's writing! His prose is immaculate. Absolutely gorgeous, and packed full of philosophical gems, without feeling preachy or pretentious. It all feels very authentic to the world and the story.
And speaking of the world... god damn. The work he must have put in to create Dara and all of its inner workings. 😱 Hard for me to even contemplate.
Needless to say, I am beyond excited to continue this story!! I've heard even more amazing things about The Wall of Storms. Let's go. 👊🏻
I went in with some specific expectations that I think helped me a lot.
1) This book is like a really long prologue to the rest of the story.
2) Ken Liu is a short story writer and that comes through in this (and maybe all of them).
Knowing both of those things prepared me so well for the "historical text" feeling of this book. Some of the people I read it with complained of not connecting to the characters and feeling that the dialogue was awkward (which is all fair). But I think that, due to my expectations and the way my brain manages them, none of that bothered me. I didn't expect very straightforward storytelling or super realistic in-the-moment conversations. It read like an oral history, and I found that super cool. Yes, it was very slow, but for that reason, I let myself take it slow. I felt no need to charge through this. I took my time and savored it. It really felt like learning the history of a real place.
I did also personally feel connected to the characters. Liu made me love and mourn for some characters who only existed for a handful of pages. Let alone the actual main characters that we followed. I love a huge cast and he used his so well.
Despite the slowness of this book, I was never bored. So much happened, and I could never tell exactly where it was going. So the entire time, I had no idea what story this "prologue" might be leading to, which kept me engaged to find out.
I also just loved Liu's writing! His prose is immaculate. Absolutely gorgeous, and packed full of philosophical gems, without feeling preachy or pretentious. It all feels very authentic to the world and the story.
And speaking of the world... god damn. The work he must have put in to create Dara and all of its inner workings. 😱 Hard for me to even contemplate.
Needless to say, I am beyond excited to continue this story!! I've heard even more amazing things about The Wall of Storms. Let's go. 👊🏻
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really loved the first 75% or so of this book. After that, it swiftly lost me, which was very disappointing.
I'll start with what I did love, at least for that first 75%.
Based on the way people talk about this book, I honestly went into it expecting straight-up nonstop misery porn. I was very pleasantly surprised by how much love and hope I found in these pages, despite the traumatic events and tough circumstances. The central family, even with their flaws and angering moments, were very close and loving, and always did the best they could do with what they had. For the most part, I cheered them on and found them very endearing.
I also thought that I might be bored, but I found the writing and pacing very engaging. I really enjoyed the way she head-hopped. That's not always done well, but I think it worked here, and the numerous quick POVs from small surrounding character really helped to immerse me in the historical setting.
And speaking of the historical setting, I definitely learned a lot from this as well. I've been learning a lot about Japanese imperialism recently and can't believe how much it's swept under the rug in world history. This book specifically taught me much about Korean immigrants living in Japan. I had no idea just how big of a story that is.
Lastly, I ended up listening to most of it and Sandra Oh crushed the audiobook narration!! I was planning to just listen intermittently while in the car, but I got super into it.
Okay... onto why the last part lost me. Very vague spoilers ahead.
First and mainly, it seemed to me that it unhitched itself from the central family a bit too much. I had been enjoying short POVs from side characters, but all of a sudden, some side characters became main characters, in a way that felt wholly unnecessary and tonally wrong. It did come back around by the very end, but god was I annoyed for a while there.
Second, one specific event absolutely infuriated me. Moreso the way it was written than the event itself. It made very little sense to me, and we were deprived of ANY immediate aftermath. On the very next page, I was introduced to a new character and their whole family and expected to care about that, when this HUGE thing just happened to the already-beloved characters. I was extremely angry and had to put the book down for the rest of the day.
On reflection of the entire book, I also wish that she had expounded more about pachinko itself. I went into the book assuming it's some type of plant... turns out it's a pinball game. Clearly this game became very important to the family, and I also understood it as a metaphor for life. But, for something being so central to the story, I feel like I left the book with very little understanding of the game itself, its bigger cultural importance, and the nuances of the metaphor. I learned a bit more from the interview in the back of the book, but I feel like that info should have been imparted in the story more.
Anyway... the first 2 parts of this book were on track for at least 4.5 stars. The 3rd part on its own would maybe get a 3. So I'm calling it even at 3.75.
I liked this and I generally recommend it, especially for the educational experience. But I'm very disappointed that it didn't stick the landing for me.
I'll start with what I did love, at least for that first 75%.
Based on the way people talk about this book, I honestly went into it expecting straight-up nonstop misery porn. I was very pleasantly surprised by how much love and hope I found in these pages, despite the traumatic events and tough circumstances. The central family, even with their flaws and angering moments, were very close and loving, and always did the best they could do with what they had. For the most part, I cheered them on and found them very endearing.
I also thought that I might be bored, but I found the writing and pacing very engaging. I really enjoyed the way she head-hopped. That's not always done well, but I think it worked here, and the numerous quick POVs from small surrounding character really helped to immerse me in the historical setting.
And speaking of the historical setting, I definitely learned a lot from this as well. I've been learning a lot about Japanese imperialism recently and can't believe how much it's swept under the rug in world history. This book specifically taught me much about Korean immigrants living in Japan. I had no idea just how big of a story that is.
Lastly, I ended up listening to most of it and Sandra Oh crushed the audiobook narration!! I was planning to just listen intermittently while in the car, but I got super into it.
Okay... onto why the last part lost me. Very vague spoilers ahead.
First and mainly, it seemed to me that it unhitched itself from the central family a bit too much. I had been enjoying short POVs from side characters, but all of a sudden, some side characters became main characters, in a way that felt wholly unnecessary and tonally wrong. It did come back around by the very end, but god was I annoyed for a while there.
Second, one specific event absolutely infuriated me. Moreso the way it was written than the event itself. It made very little sense to me, and we were deprived of ANY immediate aftermath. On the very next page, I was introduced to a new character and their whole family and expected to care about that, when this HUGE thing just happened to the already-beloved characters. I was extremely angry and had to put the book down for the rest of the day.
On reflection of the entire book, I also wish that she had expounded more about pachinko itself. I went into the book assuming it's some type of plant... turns out it's a pinball game. Clearly this game became very important to the family, and I also understood it as a metaphor for life. But, for something being so central to the story, I feel like I left the book with very little understanding of the game itself, its bigger cultural importance, and the nuances of the metaphor. I learned a bit more from the interview in the back of the book, but I feel like that info should have been imparted in the story more.
Anyway... the first 2 parts of this book were on track for at least 4.5 stars. The 3rd part on its own would maybe get a 3. So I'm calling it even at 3.75.
I liked this and I generally recommend it, especially for the educational experience. But I'm very disappointed that it didn't stick the landing for me.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is what Broken Country wishes it was!
I make that comparison because I read this for book club, and last month we read Broken Country. Which I found pretty pointless and vapid. But Wild Dark Shore did a lot of the same things - a slowly-unfolding mystery, themes of parenthood and loss, a very atmospheric setting - and did them so much better.
I really liked this. I do find myself wishing it were a touch more literary and a touch less dramatic mystery, but it's still fine as it is. Definitely got its themes across and made some very poignant points. But still, some of the eye-rolling drama kept me at arm's length from any deeply emotional reactions.I could have entirely done without the added drama of Hank being alive. I don't feel it added anything, especially because they emotionally moved on from it so quickly, since it was wrapped up in the storm climax.
For a moment, I thought the climate theme was too heavy-handed, but I got over that quickly. This is climate fiction. The central theme is literally in the name of the subgenre. Of course it's going to be heavy-handed. It was still done beautifully and effectively. I did absolutely love the setting, and I love knowing that the author actually visited the real island herself. As a new mother, no less. This story was clearly personal for her in multiple ways.
I look forward to reading McConaghy's other works!
I make that comparison because I read this for book club, and last month we read Broken Country. Which I found pretty pointless and vapid. But Wild Dark Shore did a lot of the same things - a slowly-unfolding mystery, themes of parenthood and loss, a very atmospheric setting - and did them so much better.
I really liked this. I do find myself wishing it were a touch more literary and a touch less dramatic mystery, but it's still fine as it is. Definitely got its themes across and made some very poignant points. But still, some of the eye-rolling drama kept me at arm's length from any deeply emotional reactions.
For a moment, I thought the climate theme was too heavy-handed, but I got over that quickly. This is climate fiction. The central theme is literally in the name of the subgenre. Of course it's going to be heavy-handed. It was still done beautifully and effectively. I did absolutely love the setting, and I love knowing that the author actually visited the real island herself. As a new mother, no less. This story was clearly personal for her in multiple ways.
I look forward to reading McConaghy's other works!
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
I have to award this 5 stars simply for the admirable feat of seeking this information and bringing it to the public. The construction of the narrative is also fantastic (though I will admit, I can't comment on it as much because I zoned out a fair amount during the audiobook - but still feel I got the important information).
I truly feel that this is required reading for every person who relies on rechargeable devices in their everyday lives. I'm not exaggerating. Informing ourselves is the very least we can do. Ideally, we'd also advocate loudly, and start using more used/recycled electronics instead of new.
This is harrowing and devastating. Such a horrible history of slavery in Africa already, and to know that many are still being effectively enslaved in their own land is just sickening. And learning more about the specific history of colonization and subjugation in the Congo... I will absolutely be picking up King Leopold's Ghost soon, and some fiction works like The Poisonwood Bible.
I truly feel that this is required reading for every person who relies on rechargeable devices in their everyday lives. I'm not exaggerating. Informing ourselves is the very least we can do. Ideally, we'd also advocate loudly, and start using more used/recycled electronics instead of new.
This is harrowing and devastating. Such a horrible history of slavery in Africa already, and to know that many are still being effectively enslaved in their own land is just sickening. And learning more about the specific history of colonization and subjugation in the Congo... I will absolutely be picking up King Leopold's Ghost soon, and some fiction works like The Poisonwood Bible.
fast-paced
So lovely to be back with these characters for a bit! And to get more backstory and answers to some questions.
These truly are just "shards" and I would have loved to get a whole book for each of these. 🥲 So I can't quite give it 5 stars because it mostly just leaves me wanting to reread the trilogy! And I totally will sometime.
No matter what though, I'm glad to have this bonus content! Forever so impressed with Fonda Lee.
These truly are just "shards" and I would have loved to get a whole book for each of these. 🥲 So I can't quite give it 5 stars because it mostly just leaves me wanting to reread the trilogy! And I totally will sometime.
No matter what though, I'm glad to have this bonus content! Forever so impressed with Fonda Lee.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was such a delight!!!
So real, so hilarious, so human. I love contemporary fiction like this. Character-driven, but not trying to be a grand story or super experimental. I really like those sometimes too, but there is a special place in my heart for these simple stories about average people that just highlight the absolute ridiculousness of being human.
These characters were terminally charming and endearing. There's a quote on the cover that says "Say hello to your new favorite fictional family." Which sounds cheesy, but it's SO ACCURATE. I love them so much!! They're so dysfunctional and goofy but so full of love. And it really feels like I just stumbled upon this real family at a transitional moment for them. And I feel like I'm a part of it, or if I met them, they'd accept me, no questions, just hand me a drink and start prying into my personal life. And I'd happily tell them anything.
This book also contains some excellent representation for so many things. Queerness, mental illness, immigration, mixed families (in terms of relation and race/culture), Maori experiences (and some more general discussion of race/ethnicity). And it's all done without fanfare or being preachy. It's just a part of these characters' lives and is integrated seamlessly into the story. It also had a great sense of place. I've always wanted to visit New Zealand, but now I especially want to go, and use this book as a guide.
All of that also points towards how much of herself the author put into this book, and I always love to see that. She seems like an awesome person (I loved the acknowledgements page lol).
Just a couple small complaints that keep it from the full 5 stars (though we'll see, I may think about it more and decide it gets the full 5!).
1) Some of the dialogue, while charming, did feel a bit unrealistic.
2) I was mildly annoyed with the amount of things happening off page, and secrets being mentioned but withheld from me as the reader. I could tell it would all make sense to me eventually, but they kept piling up and it felt like a lot to keep track of.
Overall, I absolutely adored this book and I want everyone to read it right now!!
So real, so hilarious, so human. I love contemporary fiction like this. Character-driven, but not trying to be a grand story or super experimental. I really like those sometimes too, but there is a special place in my heart for these simple stories about average people that just highlight the absolute ridiculousness of being human.
These characters were terminally charming and endearing. There's a quote on the cover that says "Say hello to your new favorite fictional family." Which sounds cheesy, but it's SO ACCURATE. I love them so much!! They're so dysfunctional and goofy but so full of love. And it really feels like I just stumbled upon this real family at a transitional moment for them. And I feel like I'm a part of it, or if I met them, they'd accept me, no questions, just hand me a drink and start prying into my personal life. And I'd happily tell them anything.
This book also contains some excellent representation for so many things. Queerness, mental illness, immigration, mixed families (in terms of relation and race/culture), Maori experiences (and some more general discussion of race/ethnicity). And it's all done without fanfare or being preachy. It's just a part of these characters' lives and is integrated seamlessly into the story. It also had a great sense of place. I've always wanted to visit New Zealand, but now I especially want to go, and use this book as a guide.
All of that also points towards how much of herself the author put into this book, and I always love to see that. She seems like an awesome person (I loved the acknowledgements page lol).
Just a couple small complaints that keep it from the full 5 stars (though we'll see, I may think about it more and decide it gets the full 5!).
1) Some of the dialogue, while charming, did feel a bit unrealistic.
2) I was mildly annoyed with the amount of things happening off page, and secrets being mentioned but withheld from me as the reader. I could tell it would all make sense to me eventually, but they kept piling up and it felt like a lot to keep track of.
Overall, I absolutely adored this book and I want everyone to read it right now!!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I DID IT. It only took me 5 months. 💀
It was worth the time and effort, though. It really is an incredible story that stands the test of time. Witty and hilarious at times, tender and devastating at others. And always clearly showing Dumas's intelligence (and the skill of the translator!). It was such a fun revenge story, but ended up having some really beautiful morals as well. All told through a vibrant cast of characters.
I definitely struggled with the length of the book. There are a couple things I could have done without, though they are honestly mostly negligible (having come to the end, I really don't think I needed Luigi Vampa's entire life story 💀). I think what would have really helped me is if it were split into a trilogy. A trilogy with a bit of middle book syndrome would still have helped my brain think of it as less of a chore than the 1200 page tome. It definitely helped to do the ebook, but still.
That is mostly a me problem. I have a couple small gripes with some elements of the story, but those can probably all be chalked up to customs of the time period.
Overall, it was great and I'm really glad I powered through! I'll definitely reread someday and hopefully not struggle as much now that I know what's in store. :)
It was worth the time and effort, though. It really is an incredible story that stands the test of time. Witty and hilarious at times, tender and devastating at others. And always clearly showing Dumas's intelligence (and the skill of the translator!). It was such a fun revenge story, but ended up having some really beautiful morals as well. All told through a vibrant cast of characters.
I definitely struggled with the length of the book. There are a couple things I could have done without, though they are honestly mostly negligible (having come to the end, I really don't think I needed Luigi Vampa's entire life story 💀). I think what would have really helped me is if it were split into a trilogy. A trilogy with a bit of middle book syndrome would still have helped my brain think of it as less of a chore than the 1200 page tome. It definitely helped to do the ebook, but still.
That is mostly a me problem. I have a couple small gripes with some elements of the story, but those can probably all be chalked up to customs of the time period.
Overall, it was great and I'm really glad I powered through! I'll definitely reread someday and hopefully not struggle as much now that I know what's in store. :)
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really not sure how I feel. 😅 I'll try to process here.
I liked this. It is a great work of satire and definitely got me thinking about multiple things. The hellscape of the "art world," the standards of the early 2000s, the nondiscrimination of mental illness, codependency, etc.
I just feel that perhaps it was a bit too long? I sense that the repetitiveness was kind of the point, but it still felt somewhat unnecessary. I think this could have made a perfect novella. While I did like the themes of this book, I was kind of dragging myself through it by the end and didn't feel like contemplating the ending much.
On another note, I had no issues with following an unlikeable narrator (and largely unlikeable side characters). To me, it was very clear that she is a character invented to get the themes across. I didn't even once get the sense that the author condones any of the rancid behavior going on in this book.
One random thought I had is that this book reminds me of Catcher in the Rye. It's one of my favorite classics, but so many people seem to hate it for similar reasons that this book is hated. Both follow privileged but tragic main characters having mental breakdowns in NYC... The books get criticized for having unlikeable MCs when that is actually the point. I can understand not enjoying books with unlikeable narrators, but to call them objectively bad for it? Hard no.
I'm rambling now 💀
In summary: kind of a boring reading experience, but still a great satire.
I liked this. It is a great work of satire and definitely got me thinking about multiple things. The hellscape of the "art world," the standards of the early 2000s, the nondiscrimination of mental illness, codependency, etc.
I just feel that perhaps it was a bit too long? I sense that the repetitiveness was kind of the point, but it still felt somewhat unnecessary. I think this could have made a perfect novella. While I did like the themes of this book, I was kind of dragging myself through it by the end and didn't feel like contemplating the ending much.
On another note, I had no issues with following an unlikeable narrator (and largely unlikeable side characters). To me, it was very clear that she is a character invented to get the themes across. I didn't even once get the sense that the author condones any of the rancid behavior going on in this book.
One random thought I had is that this book reminds me of Catcher in the Rye. It's one of my favorite classics, but so many people seem to hate it for similar reasons that this book is hated. Both follow privileged but tragic main characters having mental breakdowns in NYC... The books get criticized for having unlikeable MCs when that is actually the point. I can understand not enjoying books with unlikeable narrators, but to call them objectively bad for it? Hard no.
I'm rambling now 💀
In summary: kind of a boring reading experience, but still a great satire.
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
A 5 star memoir if ever there was one!
I put this on last night, figuring it would be my going audiobook for the next while... but then I literally sat and listened it to for 4 hours straight. I was enthralled. I picked it right back up (so to speak) and finished it this morning.
As a radio journalist, she has cultivated a real talent for storytelling, and it's on full display in this book. The way she set everything up and laid it out was emotional, informative, and thoroughly gripping. Her narration was also excellent. Not to mention the strength it must have taken to explore it this deeply. I was never bored for a second and I was always emotionally invested. Several of her healing moments brought me to tears.
I have some close friends with cPTSD and I truly feel like I can understand them better after reading this. The fact that they have to struggle with this for their entire lives, especially through no fault of their own, is enraging and total bullshit. But their commitment to healing is one of the most impressive feats of strength I'll ever witness.
I put this on last night, figuring it would be my going audiobook for the next while... but then I literally sat and listened it to for 4 hours straight. I was enthralled. I picked it right back up (so to speak) and finished it this morning.
As a radio journalist, she has cultivated a real talent for storytelling, and it's on full display in this book. The way she set everything up and laid it out was emotional, informative, and thoroughly gripping. Her narration was also excellent. Not to mention the strength it must have taken to explore it this deeply. I was never bored for a second and I was always emotionally invested. Several of her healing moments brought me to tears.
I have some close friends with cPTSD and I truly feel like I can understand them better after reading this. The fact that they have to struggle with this for their entire lives, especially through no fault of their own, is enraging and total bullshit. But their commitment to healing is one of the most impressive feats of strength I'll ever witness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse