Scan barcode
muriel__my's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I found this book mostly entertaining! I really loved to read a story placed in a not-European/American country during 19th century (I got tired of reading almost the same thing over and over again, with American contemporary authors dominating the libraries). I had fun seeing Kin-Fo and his mates going through a lot of difficulties and surprises in their journey, while he discovered life meaning and looked for his friend.
Loved too how Verne also did some historical and cultural explanations in every chapter, as someone who is interesed in history and cultures. It was like discovering a little bit of how Chinese people lived during those times.
For me, the finale was a little bit flat. I think Verne ended it like that because he didn't know at all how to, and reading it, I was not completely satisfied. There were also some pages where I lost interest because I found them kinda boring.
At the end, I think I can recommend this book as an option to get out to reader lock. I was losing interest in reading for fun, but this book has helped me to get back to it. It's not a must-read neither my favorite one, but I can understand why some people like it, and I respect it.
Loved too how Verne also did some historical and cultural explanations in every chapter, as someone who is interesed in history and cultures. It was like discovering a little bit of how Chinese people lived during those times.
For me, the finale was a little bit flat. I think Verne ended it like that because he didn't know at all how to, and reading it, I was not completely satisfied. There were also some pages where I lost interest because I found them kinda boring.
At the end, I think I can recommend this book as an option to get out to reader lock. I was losing interest in reading for fun, but this book has helped me to get back to it. It's not a must-read neither my favorite one, but I can understand why some people like it, and I respect it.
luda_12's review against another edition
4.0
Ιδιαίτερα ενδιαφέρον το θέμα της αυτοχειρίας και ο τρόπος διαχείρισης του από τον συγγραφέα..Χαρακτήρες με βάθος και τονίζεται ενδελεχώς η κινεζική κουλτούρα... Διαπραγμάτευση του θέματος της ευτυχίας και του συσχετισμού της με το χρήμα από τον κοινό λαό.
Άκυρες πληροφορίες για την κινεζική ιστορία που δεν με ενδιαφέρουν και ούτε τις θυμάμαι.
Παρομοίωση με το γύρο του κόσμου αν και δεν το παρατήρησα καταλαβαίνω την σκέψη πίσω από αυτή.
Απρόσμενες τροπές που σε κρατούν σε αγωνία..Τυπικό αίσιο τέλος. Ωστόσο η τελευταία πράξη ήταν κάπως αδύναμη καθώς δεν υπήρχε λόγος για μια ακόμη περιπέτεια..Όμορφο μήνυμα για την ζωή.
Άκυρες πληροφορίες για την κινεζική ιστορία που δεν με ενδιαφέρουν και ούτε τις θυμάμαι.
Παρομοίωση με το γύρο του κόσμου αν και δεν το παρατήρησα καταλαβαίνω την σκέψη πίσω από αυτή.
Απρόσμενες τροπές που σε κρατούν σε αγωνία..Τυπικό αίσιο τέλος. Ωστόσο η τελευταία πράξη ήταν κάπως αδύναμη καθώς δεν υπήρχε λόγος για μια ακόμη περιπέτεια..Όμορφο μήνυμα για την ζωή.
mholla's review against another edition
3.0
A good story, but there was nothing intrinsically Chinese about it (it easily could have taken place in any other country). Lots of racism, though - "good-looking for a Chinaman", etc.