Tina Chen

He used to be one of my favorite author. But somehow I don't really like this book that much. From the plot to the writing. Maybe I have become more cynical. Every detail that is supposed to be emotionally moving just read like a cliche to me. Like the kind of exaggeration from a teenager. Makes an ounce of sadness like an ocean that can drown them.

The writing is also so typical Fredrik Backman. I enjoyed very much his type of writing and was amazed the first time I read his book. But now its just "old" to me, like nothing new...I can sense that he wrote this book 100 miles away. But I guess that's also why it is called a "style". Plot is cliche.

But like I said, maybe I just wasn't in the right mindset when I was reading it...too cynical.

I read this because Kilian (Cornell machine learning guy whose youtube I watched to learn ML) said on his website that it is one of his favourite and I like Kilian. It is a good book. Not too emotional but also not lack of insights.

Cannot help feeling the author is very obsessed with herself. This has nothing to do with author being "apathetic", genuinely does not sound like a pleasant person to be around with. But definitely a honest book..since she sounds like a terrible person (tho maybe she doesn't realize that's why she can be so honest in her writing). Not much insightful tbh.. "Hmmm...OK." is my reaction through entire book.

Very obviously written by a journalist. Not moved by the story at all. Still have no sympathy for Chris.

Interesting story. But when it comes to writing, all I can say is that journalists should just stick with reporting news. (The author being journalist explains the writing of the book.)

Nothing beats a good story. I can't say much about the writing but I think the content itself is intriguing enough. Tho I have to admit that it was my third attempt, I gave up quite quickly at my first two tries, which I think is due to my lack of knowledge of Mormonism. I remember when I first read it....I was just simply couldn't understand it ...I mean I literally did not understand it...since the world it describes is too peculiar to me ..I was like..."this book doesn't make sense".

Great description of complicated emotions when it comes to sexual crime victims. It captures the tiniest, the most subtle feelings. A book makes me ponder and it reveals a lot of emotions surrounding sexual crime victims that I never really thought of.

Contains some quite interesting thoughts. The approach author uses to illustrate his points IS IRRITATINGLY unprofessional. But since this book is not a textbook... so probably i shouldn't complain.