The Book Slump

Category: Book Reviews

  • Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop

    Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop

    By Hwang Bo-Reum

    SPOILER-FREE

    Released 2022, 301 pages.

    There was only one thing on her mind.

    ‘I must start a bookshop.’

    Yeongju did everything she was supposed to, go to university, marry a decent man, get a respectable job. Then it all fell apart. Burned out, Yeongju abandons her old life, quits her high-flying career, and follows her dream. She opens a bookshop.

    In a quaint neighbourhood in Seoul, surrounded by books, Yeongju and her customers take refuge. From the lonely barista to the unhappily married coffee roaster, and the writer who sees something special in Yeongju – they all have disappointments in their past. The Hyunam-dong Bookshop becomes the place where they all learn how to truly live.

    Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

    REVIEW

    THEMES: FANTASY, HISTORICAL, HUMOROUS, TENSE, MEDIUM-PACED.

    This is a story that explores the perspectives of a range of characters and their unique problems. Throughout, they find that the least likely of ventures can lead them exactly where they need to be, and all of them have one thing in common: the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop.

    At first, I did not think much of this story. It was not that I did not enjoy the sentiment of it, but it felt like another one of those books with a similar plot. However, over time I noticed I was often applying it to my own life.

    The plot is subtle but beautiful. Each character’s life revolves around the bookshop, where, essentially, they ‘find themselves’, whether through someone they meet or a book they read. Like What You Are Looking For Is In The Library, the main character, Yeongju, acts as a book therapist – helping people by recommending a book that correlates to their situation.

    Whilst the characters are not overly flavourful – it doesn’t make the story dull; it actually helps the plotline shine. Each character experiences their own set of issues – though the aim is not to solve them but to help the characters find peace in their own lives with small changes.

    This is a truly relaxing book that I recommend to literally anyone. It is short and sweet. Though, it would particularly interest readers who enjoy books such as The Full Moon Coffee Shop, Letters from the Ginza Shinodo Stationary Shop, etc.

    Click link below for Storygraph overview, which includes general rating, summary (same as above) and other reviews.

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  • Snowflower and the Secret Fan

    Snowflower and the Secret Fan

    By Lisa See

    SPOILER-FREE

    Released 2005, 269 Pages.

    Lily is haunted by memories–of who she once was, and of a person, long gone, who defined her existence. She has nothing but time now, as she recounts the tale of Snow Flower, and asks the gods for forgiveness.

    In nineteenth-century China, when wives and daughters were foot-bound and lived in almost total seclusion, the women in one remote Hunan county developed their own secret code for communication: nu shu (“women’s writing”). Some girls were paired with laotongs, “old sames,” in emotional matches that lasted throughout their lives. They painted letters on fans, embroidered messages on handkerchiefs, and composed stories, thereby reaching out of their isolation to share their hopes, dreams, and accomplishments.

    With the arrival of a silk fan on which Snow Flower has composed for Lily a poem of introduction in nu shu, their friendship is sealed and they become “old sames” at the tender age of seven. As the years pass, through famine and rebellion, they reflect upon their arranged marriages, loneliness, and the joys and tragedies of motherhood. The two find solace, developing a bond that keeps their spirits alive. But when a misunderstanding arises, their lifelong friendship suddenly threatens to tear apart.

    Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

    REVIEW

    THEMES: HISTORICAL, EMOTIONAL, TENSE, SAD, MEDIUM-PACED.

    Snowflower and the Secret Fan follows Lily as she must participate in the rituals that mark the beginning of womanhood. Luckily, she has her Laotong – sister for life, or old same – to endure by her side. Though, as they grow together – and apart – Lily starts to uncover the secrets kept from her in childhood.

    Thankfully, this is a beautiful story – because I have three other Lisa See books on the shelf and chucking them all would have been rather inconvenient.

    The plot is interesting, emotional and insightful. I also found it quietly captivating. Like Pachinko, it is not full of big reveals and cliffhangers, but it still captures you and keeps you intrigued.

    Reading the expectations of girls and women from this period was arresting, especially from a modern, Western perspective. The descriptions of the practices they have to endure is intense and graphic but also informative – it really puts the reader in their shoes (pun-intended).

    The characters feel authentic to the time – though I have not studied the mannerisms of Chinese women in the Nineteenth century. They are subtle, strong and unflappable. I also enjoyed the exploration of some of the more private, intimate moments the characters experience.

    All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would say the storytelling and struggle is akin to Pachinko. I would recommend this to anyone who loves sister stories, historical fiction or Chinese fiction.

    Warning: This book does contain domestic violence.

    Click link below for Storygraph overview, which includes general rating, summary (same as above) and other reviews.

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  • Weyward

    Weyward

    By Emilia Hart

    SPOILER-FREE

    Released 2023, 329 pages.

    I am a Weyward, and wild inside.

    2019: Under cover of darkness, Kate flees London for ramshackle Weyward Cottage, inherited from a great aunt she barely remembers. With its tumbling ivy and overgrown garden, the cottage is worlds away from the abusive partner who tormented Kate. But she begins to suspect that her great aunt had a secret. One that lurks in the bones of the cottage, hidden ever since the witch-hunts of the 17th century.

    1619: Altha is awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer who was stampeded to death by his herd. As a girl, Altha’s mother taught her their magic, a kind not rooted in spell casting but in a deep knowledge of the natural world. But unusual women have always been deemed dangerous, and as the evidence for witchcraft is set out against Altha, she knows it will take all of her powers to maintain her freedom.

    1942: As World War II rages, Violet is trapped in her family’s grand, crumbling estate. Straitjacketed by societal convention, she longs for the robust education her brother receives—and for her mother, long deceased, who was rumored to have gone mad before her death. The only traces Violet has of her are a locket bearing the initial W and the word weyward scratched into the baseboard of her bedroom.

    Rating: 5 out of 5.

    REVIEW

    THEMES: HISTORICAL, FEMINIST, MAGICAL REALISM, MEDIUM-PACED.

    This story follows three women through three different time periods (1619, 1942 and 2019). Each woman has to endure their own struggles, which are all at the hands of men – however, they find strength in the inheritance of being a Weyward woman.

    This is such a beautifully written, powerful story and I enjoyed every minute of it.

    I have come to really appreciate novels that switch perspectives every chapter or so. It keeps everything compelling and captivating. Opposed to having one point of view for five plus chapters – whilst this can be more immersive, it also stagnates the storytelling.

    Having the chapters jump back and forth to different time periods really emphasizes the strength of ancestral bonds. It is touching how much their ancestry acts as a support for the not-so-different struggles they face throughout the story.

    Some sensitive topics are covered, such as domestic violence and rape. Personally, I think Hart describes it in a way that captures enough to feel the emotions and anger – but not enough to become overly graphic or crass (to me).

    This is such a powerful story that everyone needs to read. Historical fiction, feminist literature and magical realism readers would also enjoy Weyward.

    Click link below for Storygraph overview, which includes general rating, summary (same as above) and other reviews.

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  • Bunny

    Bunny

    By Mona Awad

    SPOILER-FREE

    Released 2019, 305 pages.

    Samantha Heather Mackey couldn’t be more of an outsider in her small, highly selective MFA program at New England’s Warren University. A scholarship student who prefers the company of her dark imagination to that of most people, she is utterly repelled by the rest of her fiction writing cohort–a clique of unbearably twee rich girls who call each other “Bunny,” and seem to move and speak as one. 

    But everything changes when Samantha receives an invitation to the Bunnies’ fabled “Smut Salon,” and finds herself inexplicably drawn to their front door–ditching her only friend, Ava, in the process. As Samantha plunges deeper and deeper into the Bunnies’ sinister yet saccharine world, beginning to take part in the ritualistic off-campus “Workshop” where they conjure their monstrous creations, the edges of reality begin to blur. Soon, her friendships with Ava and the Bunnies will be brought into deadly collision. 

    Rating: 1.5 out of 5.

    REVIEW

    THEMES: HORROR, THRILLER, TENSE, MEDIUM-PACED.

    Samantha Heather Mackey – a student in a competitive MFA programme – has to deal with four peculiar women in her class, who affectionately call each other ‘bunny’. Despite frequently expressing her dislike for the bunnies, she cannot hide her pleasure when she is invited to one of their exclusive hangouts. As someone with few friends, she decides to go. Though, they are everything and nothing like she imagined – it is interesting how one night can push someone so far down the rabbit hole.

    Bunny is a novel which I remember in vivid detail – so I can confidently share that it is a book that leaves an impression.

    The characters are interesting, though a little cliche (loner who wants to fit in, nonconformist emo/alternative best friend, and a clique of ‘mean’ girls). However, Awad uses the plot of the story to distract from the unoriginal character dynamics – in saying that, with such an intense story, having simpler structures may be better suited. Otherwise, it could become over-the-top and confusing.

    Awad has a descriptive writing style and knows how to keep her audience captivated – I read this a while ago and still virtually remember everything that happens, which is rare, as I normally only remember snippets. Everything was so colourful and prominent; it really felt like I was Samantha.

    The reason I have given such a low rating is because it is not the type of horror I enjoy – if Awad wrote a horror/thriller in the sub-genre I prefer, I have no doubt I would love it. [I have written my unfiltered opinions on the Spoiler Review, if you wish to read more specifics.]

    This book reminds me of Boy Parts by Eliza Clark (which I also was not a big fan of), so if you enjoyed that, then definitely give Bunny a try.

    Click link below for Storygraph overview, which includes general rating, summary (same as above) and other reviews.

    LINK TO STORYGRAPH PROFILE

  • Bunny

    Bunny

    By Mona Awad

    SPOILERS

    Released 2019, 305 pages.

    Samantha Heather Mackey couldn’t be more of an outsider in her small, highly selective MFA program at New England’s Warren University. A scholarship student who prefers the company of her dark imagination to that of most people, she is utterly repelled by the rest of her fiction writing cohort–a clique of unbearably twee rich girls who call each other “Bunny,” and seem to move and speak as one. 

    But everything changes when Samantha receives an invitation to the Bunnies’ fabled “Smut Salon,” and finds herself inexplicably drawn to their front door–ditching her only friend, Ava, in the process. As Samantha plunges deeper and deeper into the Bunnies’ sinister yet saccharine world, beginning to take part in the ritualistic off-campus “Workshop” where they conjure their monstrous creations, the edges of reality begin to blur. Soon, her friendships with Ava and the Bunnies will be brought into deadly collision. 

    Rating: 1.5 out of 5.

    REVIEW

    THEMES: HORROR, THRILLER, TENSE, MEDIUM-PACED.

    Samantha Heather Mackey – a student in a competitive MFA programme – has to deal with four peculiar women in her class, who affectionately call each other ‘bunny’. Despite frequently expressing her dislike for the bunnies, she cannot hide her pleasure when she is invited to one of their exclusive hangouts. As someone with few friends, she decides to go. Though, they are everything and nothing like she imagined – it is interesting how one night can push someone so far down the rabbit hole.

    Bunny is a novel which I remember in vivid detail – so I can confidently share that it is a book that leaves an impression.

    The characters are interesting, though a little cliche (loner who wants to fit in, nonconformist emo/alternative best friend, and a clique of ‘mean’ girls). However, Awad uses the plot of the story to distract from the unoriginal character dynamics – in saying that, with such an intense story, having simpler structures may be better suited. Otherwise, it could become over-the-top and confusing.

    Awad has a descriptive writing style and knows how to keep her audience captivated – I read this a while ago and still virtually remember everything that happens, which is rare, as I normally only remember snippets. Everything was so colourful and prominent; it really felt like I was Samantha.

    The reason I have given such a low rating is because of the ending. Throughout the entire book, I struggled to differentiate between what was real and what was a hallucination – which became very tiring, very quickly. Whilst I noticed she has schizophrenia halfway through, I thought maybe just some of it was made up – but to find out it was all fake, I was livid. It is the equivalent to ‘and then she opened her eyes’. Essentially, I spent hours of my time reading a fictional manic episode – if it was a non-fiction at least I would have learnt something. Obviously, this is all personal preference, though I will never understand how anyone can enjoy being messed with for three hundred pages.

    This book reminds me of Boy Parts by Eliza Clark (which I also was not a big fan of), so if you enjoyed that, then definitely give Bunny a try.

    Click link below for Storygraph overview, which includes general rating, summary (same as above) and other reviews.

    LINK TO STORYGRAPH PROFILE

  • Perfume

    Perfume

    By Patrick Süskind

    SPOILER-FREE

    Released 1985, 263 pages.

    Born in sweaty, fetid eighteenth-century Paris, Grenouille is distinctive even in infancy. He has the finest nose in Paris and no personal odour. Süskind develops this idea into a tale of murder controlled by a loathing of humanity. 

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    REVIEW

    THEMES: CLASSIC, DARK, HISTORICAL, HORROR, MEDIUM-PACED

    Since infancy Grenouille has had one notable quality, he has no personal odour – but ironically, the best nose in Paris and can distinguish a smell off a few inhales.

    Grenouille goes through life as an unremarkable man, that nobody notices. Though, this works to his advantage because one day, he smells something so incredible that he becomes obsessed.

    I have been trying to get into more classics this year, and Perfume has decisively good reviews – which I concur, as it is in my top three (for classics).

    The story centres around Grenouille and is set-in eighteenth-century Paris, which is described as a crowded, foul-smelling city. It starts off on bleak circumstances, setting the story up on a miserable note, which makes sense – but is misleading. It was not nearly as grim as anticipated, because the writing style effectively distracts from the more sinister elements of the story.

    The concept of Perfume is unique and something I have not encountered before, or since for that matter.

    Süskind has a way of making his readers question their own morality – because whilst the subject matter is perverse, having it written from the antagonists’ perspective changes the whole perception of the story. I found myself dismissing Grenouilles sinister hobby, because of his frank, almost innocent outlook.

    It makes you wonder whether a horror is only effective if told from the perspective of the ‘victim’ – since, in turn, that makes the reader the victim too.

    I would recommend this to any horror readers, especially if you are looking to get into the classics.

    You can also find this reviewed on ‘Books to cure your Reading Slump’.

    Click link below for Storygraph overview, which includes general rating, summary (same as above) and other reviews.

    LINK TO STORYGRAPH PROFILE.

  • Katabasis

    Katabasis

    By R.F Kuang

    SPOILER-FREE

    Released 2025, 541 pages.

    Alice Law has only ever had one goal: to become one of the brightest minds in the field of Magick. She has sacrificed everything to make that a reality: her pride, her health, her love life, and most definitely her sanity. All to work with Professor Jacob Grimes at Cambridge, the greatest magician in the world.

    That is, until he dies in a magical accident that could possibly be her fault. Grimes is now in Hell, and she’s going in after him. Because his recommendation could hold her very future in his now incorporeal hands and even death is not going to stop the pursuit of her dreams…. 

    Nor will the fact that her rival, Peter Murdoch, has come to the very same conclusion. 

    But Hell is not like the storybooks say, Magick isn’t always the answer, and there’s something in Alice and Peter’s past that could forge them into the perfect allies…or lead to their doom. 

    Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

    REVIEW

    THEMES: FANTASY, HISTORICAL, HUMOROUS, TENSE, MEDIUM-PACED.

    Alice Law and Peter Murdoch, academic rivals – must journey to hell to retrieve their professor’s soul – after his unfortunate death caused by a ‘freak’ accident. Though, shockingly, it is not a walk in the park – the two must overcome their past and learn to work together, otherwise everything will go to…

    This is my fifth book written by R.F Kuang (only Yellowface to go), and she surprises me every time. Last year I was really into mythology after reading The Song of Achilles and listening to Hozier, so to find out she would be writing a Dantes Inferno-esque book, I was ecstatic.

    I love this book, it is interesting, well-written and funny. Surprisingly, I have not read one review that mentions her quiet, humorous remarks – which adds a light-hearted aspect to an otherwise intense novel.

    The plot itself is immersive, detailed and chaotic – yet somehow structured. In typical Kuang fashion, it is methodically researched, with considerable depth to the magic system – and the math and science behind it. Not to mention the elaborate descriptions of the paradoxes and pentagrams.

    I love Kuang’s unique approach to hell, it is definitely a concept that has been done to death (pun intended), so it was interesting reading her take on it. (In saying that, I have not read that many ‘hell’ books.)

    As per usual, Kuang does not write her characters to be liked but to be humanised. I went through periods where I would hate Alice because of her contradictory, self-righteous disposition – but then I would realise she is hateable because she is relatable. Her complex relationship with Grimes is suffocating – the rage and exasperation I felt whilst reading was constant.

    Kuang masterfully depicts the struggles a Chinese woman would face in a (white) male dominated institution. I also like how she touches on internalised misogyny, which can be tricky to portray as realistic, whilst remaining tasteful.

    My disappointment is that the setting did not feel overly specific to hell, I would have enjoyed more of an incorporation of hell’s lore.

    I would recommend anyone try this book, especially fantasy readers. I think Katabasis definitely showcases Kuang’s range and is a really good stepping stone into her weightier reads.

    Click link below for Storygraph overview, which includes general rating, summary (same as above) and other reviews.

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  • Sapiens

    Sapiens

    By Yuval Noah Harari

    SPOILER-FREE?

    Released 2011, 510 pages.

    100,000 years ago, at least six human species inhabited the earth. Today there is just one. Us. Homo sapiens.

    How did our species succeed in the battle for dominance? Why did our foraging ancestors come together to create cities and kingdoms? How did we come to believe in gods, nations and human rights; to trust money, books and laws; and to be enslaved by bureaucracy, timetables and consumerism? And what will our world be like in the millennia to come?

    Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

    REVIEW

    THEMES: NON-FICTION, HISTORICAL, SCIENCE, MEDIUM/SLOW-PACED.

    Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari is about the evolution of humankind (homo sapiens) and how we have evolved (or devolved) as a collective.

    My review is going to be controversial, so I shall preface by saying I am not a big non-fiction reader and I listened to this on audiobook.

    The first half (and parts of the second) is compelling, exploring colonization, foraging, religion, agriculture etc. Learning little facts like; the instinct to overindulge on sugary foods is linked to our past – if we were to come upon fruit from a tree, we would eat it quickly, otherwise we would risk encountering a stronger animal after the same fruit.

    The book has definitely expanded my knowledge on religion and given me a push to pursue my research on it. I often think back to the more philosophical aspects of the book, as well as the fun facts, as mentioned above.

    The second half, or the last one hundred (or so) became dry – I would zone out more times than I’d like to admit, because I am not overly interested in the value of money and inner workings of empires.

    What I did not like was his phrasing, at times. Calling beliefs, myths, felt a bit ill-fitting. Whilst I understand his points (that society is fictitious), the word myth, has a certain connotation – you likely think of unicorns and fairies. In turn I do not think it is suitable to call someone’s morals and beliefs mythical.

    I also (at times) could not differentiate fact from personal opinion. I am all for hearing what he has to say, but it could have been a little clearer.

    All in all, I do not regret reading/listening to Sapiens as it was informative and enjoyable, for the most part. Non-fiction readers and science/history buffs would definitely enjoy.

    Click link below for Storygraph overview, which includes general rating, summary (same as above) and other reviews.

    LINK TO STORYGRAPH PROFILE

  • The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea

    The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea

    By Yukio Mishima

    SPOILERS

    Released 1963, 181 pages,

    A band of thirteen-year-old boys reject the stupidity of the adult world. They decide it is illusory, hypocritical and sentimental, and train themselves in a brutal callousness they call ‘objectivity’. When the mother of one of them begins an affair with a ship’s officer, he and his friends idealise the man at first, but it is not long before they conclude that he is, in fact, soft and romantic. They regard this disillusionment as an act of betrayal on his part – and the retribution is deliberate and horrifying.

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    REVIEW

    THEMES: DARK, DISTURBING, CLASSIC, MEDIUM-PACED.

    Warning; animal abuse, incestuous behaviours and gore.

    The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea follows a single mother and her son, Noboru. The dynamic between the two is complex and unconventional – which only becomes more bizarre once his mother meets Ryuji, an experienced sailor. Noboru and his friends start to develop a set of expectations on how people should behave, and unfortunately Ryuji is not meeting his criteria.

    This is such a strange book, it makes you wonder what the author experienced to even think to write it. It is not a ‘horror’, per say, but at times reads like one.

    The characters are interesting. Noboru and his friends are the epitome of childish arrogance, with their self-assured dogmatic views. It perfectly captures that time of youth when you think you know everything and it makes me cringe. However, their emphasis on male behaviours was an unexpected surprise. They set such rigid standards for how men should perform in society, and if they don’t act accordingly, they consider it unheroic- which is not what I would have anticipated from a group of young boys.

    His mother brings some much-needed normality to the book, nicely evening out all the absurdity. I found it interesting that she is the only main character who remains nameless. The boyfriend of the mother, Ryuji, is my favourite character. It is clear that he is simply making the best out of a strange situation and is a kind person. Though, his lenient response to Noboru spying on his mother was disturbing – though, what is more horrifying is the fact that Noboru wanted to be punished.

    The plot is intense and confronting – a child spying on his mother through a peephole, mercilessly beating a cat and murdering his mother’s boyfriend. Somehow, I felt nowhere near as bleak as I have with other books, that are far less severe.

    Overall, I enjoyed the book, despite the disturbing content. I would recommend to horror readers – or someone who has an interest in books that feature peculiar family dynamics.

    Click link below for Storygraph overview, which includes general rating, summary (same as above) and other reviews.

    LINK TO STORYGRAPH PROFILE.

  • The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea

    The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea

    By Yukio Mishima

    SPOILER-FREE

    Released 1963, 181 pages,

    A band of thirteen-year-old boys reject the stupidity of the adult world. They decide it is illusory, hypocritical and sentimental, and train themselves in a brutal callousness they call ‘objectivity’. When the mother of one of them begins an affair with a ship’s officer, he and his friends idealise the man at first, but it is not long before they conclude that he is, in fact, soft and romantic. They regard this disillusionment as an act of betrayal on his part – and the retribution is deliberate and horrifying.

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    REVIEW

    THEMES: DARK, DISTURBING, CLASSIC, MEDIUM-PACED.

    Warning; animal abuse and incestuous behaviours, gore.

    The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea follows a single mother, Fusako, and her son, Noboru. The dynamic between the two is complex and unconventional – which only becomes more bizarre once his mother meets Ryuji, an experienced sailor. Noboru and his friends start to develop a set of expectations on how people should behave, and unfortunately Ryuji is not meeting his criteria.

    This is such a strange book, it makes you wonder what the author experienced to even think to write it. It is not a ‘horror’, per say, but at times reads like one.

    The characters are interesting. Noboru and his friends are the epitome of childish arrogance, with their self-assured dogmatic views. It perfectly captures that time of youth when you think you know everything and it makes me cringe.

    His mother, Fusako brings some much-needed normality to the book, nicely evening out all the absurdity. The boyfriend of the Fusako, Ryuji, is my favourite character. Whilst at times his choices are, questionable – overall you can tell he is trying his best to make do with the situation at hand.

    The plot is intense and confronting, there are so many incidents that leave you feeling violated. Though, despite it all, I felt nowhere near as bleak as I have with other books, that are far less severe.

    Overall, I enjoyed the book, despite the disturbing content. I would recommend to horror readers – or someone who has an interest in books that feature peculiar family dynamics.

    Click link below for Storygraph overview, which includes general rating, summary (same as above) and other reviews.

    LINK TO STORYGRAPH PROFILE.