Rating - 4 for pace and originality. Could not put it down.
Took a point away for character development.

I thought the most well-developed character was the town of shaker heights itself - Ng grew up there so that makes sense. She writes kind of a love letter to it and at the same time passes judgement on what I can only imagine was an interesting childhood looking from the outside in all the time. Her main proponent of the Shaker Heights is seen through the eyes of Elena (woman with influential family and historical ties to the town) who condescendingly provided the apartment charity to Mia/Pearl and those before them. The major theme to me was unrealized potential as a result of choice. Elena could have been a talented reporter and Mia an accomplished artist. Because of choices they made, life sort of catapulted them into the women they became and I think they initially resent each other bc they recognize that frustration they feel. Both become sort of obsessed with exposing the other. In doing so, the lives of the people around them are ruined. Izzy and Bebe are the physical manifestation of the flame With both Elena and Mia the sparks.
One thing that bothered me was I was thinking the story was going to be about Pearl and it jumped around to the other characters. I was unsure of the narrator at times - lends to my character development comment above. I felt like the author gave up on a few of them. The male characters were introduced but kind of just props. I would have liked Izzy’s storyline to be resolved.

Could not put it down. Rich, dark and moving. Fell in love with Alaska and the off the grid communities. Characters were well drawn out. Could have used more back-history with Cora and Ernt’s relationship. Satisfying in a way My Absolute Darling wasn’t. Could be a companion piece to that book.

Reggie - 4.5 - loved the main character and shocked at the everyday life shown in the book. Disturbing

Gwynne - 4.75 - the creative way the book was written - made us do a double take. Also made me curious and want to learn more about North Korean society. Amazing story about enduring human spirit

Karen - 4.75 - loved the creativity and the changing voice and vein suddenly in a new persons head. Timeliness incredible and felt like non fiction. Fantastic

Tricia - 5 - maybe the “perfect book”. Began slow but once he got to Texas it took off and didn’t stop. Very rewarding and tough. Enlightening as the experience of a person in North Korea. “He’s a nobody who has to figure out his identity”.

Lisa - 5.25 - listened on audible. Loved how main character evolved from basic character to someone who figures it out. Liked how it explored “intimacy”. Struggled getting into it at first

Enjoyed the book! Liked following along on Eleanor’s life discovery. Her POV was funny but sad when you discover the cause. Reminded me of Woman in the Window. Thought the mom was going to be dead.

Reggie - 3.5 - hard to compare to past great books and wanted more substance. Gwynne - 4.25 - great, fun read. Loved the way he wandered off in this thoughts, as that is what he had to live off of. Also how he finds positive and beauty in all situations.
Lorin - 4.5 - beautifully written language - much like classic Russian lit. Everything was a story.
karen 3.75 - expected more and wasn’t exactly historical fiction. Loved Sofia and count relationship and the happy ending and adventure.
Gina - hadn’t finished and a struggle to get through. Loves the sound of his vice on audible. Got lost in the side thoughts....maybe a 3.5.
Lisa 3.75 - likes some of the little thoughts and “giblets” and loved the elegant meals - but wanted to know what happened to Nina.
Onelia - 3.75-4.0 - was difficult to read in second language, but excellent prose and liked how he made the best of his punishment.
Rosella -4.something - hadn’t finished but beautifully written and allusions throughout - genius.
Kim 3.5 - gained more appreciation through the discussions but missing al the historical info and wanted more closure

Tricia - 3.95 - loved him and his musings and observations. Reminded me so much of people I know from the south. (My mother’s cousins and uncles!) I deducted bc I wanted more historical fiction/meat from the era but beautifully written and engaging storytelling.

Tricia - 4
Lisa -3
Lorraine - 3.25