svmreads's Reviews (412)

The Unworthy

4.5

challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

While repetitive at points and overwritten at others, I found this exhilarating and enjoyed the vivid imagery. Not for the faint of heart!

Content Warnings

Rosarita

Anita Desai

4.0

reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

The Black Unicorn

Audre Lorde

4.5

challenging reflective slow-paced

A poetry collection that demands to be savored. I reread multiple poems in this collection to truly understand what Audre Lorde was communicating. I particularly enjoyed how she interwove contemporary American culture and African mythology through the poems. Excited to make my way through Lorde’s oeuvre!

Exhibit

R.O. Kwon

3.5

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

While I caught glimpses of terrific storytelling and the themes Kwon tried to convey through the text, the language was overwrought and cluttered the text. I found the kisaeng’s story the most compelling part of the book and wished the whole book was that narrative. Loved the last page though!

Fight Night

Miriam Toews

5.0

dark emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The amount of tears I cried upon finishing this book is unparalleled. Well done, Miriam Toews.

Miss Kim Knows: And Other Stories

Cho Nam-joo

3.5

reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

I enjoyed these stories on a thematic level, but some of them felt tedious to read because the writing style was quite dry. I ended up skimming the last three stories.

Content Warnings