sspaghettiboness's Reviews (138)

A really fun read! I’m so bummed I bought the book at the end of my visit to Florida, opposed to before. I would’ve loved to go and check out some of the events she talks about in this book. The book was a pretty easy read, although it is about 10 years old at the time of this review, I’d love it if there was an updated version that revisits some of the larger than life people she interviewed and sees what they’re up to today. 

I was so beyond excited for this book to come out. I could only read it in short bursts, each time I opened it to read I’d become lost and entranced in the poetry but also somehow exhausted, like running a marathon. The text is flowery and introspective and at times daunting, like trying to decode a massive fever dream, but at the same time I felt this pull of understanding between myself and the main character. 

I don’t want to compare, but I’d be lying to say this writing lacks a certain Haruki Murakami otherworldliness to it. Immersive and undeniable. While it wasn’t always easy to understand, I think anyone reading this book would find certain passages they could relate to with their whole life, but I don’t think any two readers will find the same ones. 

This novel felt like a love letter to fandom, while also being unabashed to be critical of it. So many people think kpop fangirls are a monolith, yet Esther Yi created a woman here who is both the best and worst parts of being a devout fan. Believing in something unbelievable and seeking it hungrily. The main character felt so real, even when nothing around her seemed possible.

The biggest mistake I’ve ever made was not reading this book the minute it was recommended to me.