Spring on the Peninsula was a really interesting read. I appreciated the history and character study. I'd read more from this author.

Content Warnings: Suicide / Suicidal ideation; Existential Dread

I wish I could have gotten more into this book, but the writing style did not mesh with me. The narrative relies on long, lyrical sentences that nest within themselves; they just left me puzzled as to what conclusion I was meant to reach. It was also difficult to see how different narrative plots strung together outside of a shared series of friendships and acquaintances.

I did find the setting of South Korea interesting. The descriptions of life in Seoul and the different temples on the walk were probably my favorite parts of the novel. I just wish I could have taken more away from it than that.

I'll leave this one without any rating because I'm not going to finish it. I picked it up because there aren't many queer novels coming out of South Korea, at least not in translation, so I was curious to find out more. What I found, however, was unbearable verbosity to the point of unreadability. English is my second language, but I know a poorly constructed sentence when I see one. Whether it's the translation or something else, I can't say. Until the next queer Korean novel, I guess...

i can put up with works that are very intent on being cerebral, metaphysical even. but, there is a limit to the amount of verbosity i can 'digest'. Spring on the Peninsula is the type of peacock novel that takes every opportunity to flaunt just how clever & highbrow a literary work it is. each laboured sentence fails to deliver any substantial meaning or leave a lasting impression. readers who don't mind the type of academic texts that make it a virtue to be inaccessible, might find Shin's novel a stimulating read. i, however, find it abstruse & pretentious, lacking the depth of intelligence it purports to possess.

The writing here is delectable, I gobbled up Shin's sentences. The story itself too, the emotions well-rendered, the social commentary too. Thanks to the publisher for the e-galley!

Really quite enjoyed the opening, but felt quite indifferent about the middle and end bits. I thought the writing was promising, but it didn't give enough. The characterisation was a bit bland and predictable or rather stereotypical. Nothing surprising about it all. Didn't leave me with a lasting impression if any, but thanks for the copy anyway.

✰ 2 stars ✰

“There is always something more, he supposed, beyond the gorge. Grief never stays where you think it is going to rest.

You think it has spent itself, and it persists; you feel like luxuriating in it, but then only pickings are left to play with.

Willful creature, this grief.”

I think I'm not the target audience for the abstract writing style Spring on the Peninsula excelled at. I'm sure it's not a bad read for those who appreciate this method of telling a story, but rather than being compelled by the story, it read more to me like a self-reflective read - one that was more about commenting on the nature of human beings, rather than reaching a constructive and worthwhile ending. 😮‍💨

“He was waiting for something as the world continued changing, even past that moment when a voice from a neighboring home uttered, I am also waiting for someone, but I do not think they are coming.”

The story is set in Seoul and mainly follows Kai, a bisexual white-collar worker, who has just come out from a failed relationship and is struggling to come to terms with the failures of his life - often to the point of contemplating suicide, while he wistfully yearns and mourns for the life that could have been. 'I am an unhappy person. My unhappiness all too happily grows with time.' 😢 Echoing sentiments of loneliness and sadness, the narrative often takes a very languid and lugubrious feel to it that makes it harder for me to empathize with Kai's remorse and gloom. It was not a happy read, rather one that makes you contemplate on your life's choices and wonder whether or not you're justified in the state your life is in.

Kai was not exactly a wishy-washy narrator, he was one trying to cope with the decisions he's made that has led him to where he is - choices that could have seen him take a different path with the people in his life that could have shaped it differently - had he allowed it. 'Everything can be anticlimactic. Every one wants their life and death to mean something, but nothing does.' It all makes for a rather painful and morbid affair, but one that didn't quite ring a sympathetic bone in my body. 🤷🏻‍♀️

We get these brief glimpses into various stages of his life, but none really cement their way to make a meaningful impact, save for one with his classmate, Jung. '. This is the human condition. All choices do not bring about an ultimate fullness. But one makes do regardless.' I would have liked to have seen more of their relationship tempered out - something akin to building a more lasting connection with her, rather than one that faded away into oblivion. 😐 Unless that is the point this story was trying to shed light on - how people are as fleeting as the thoughts we spare on their presence in our lives.

“Time counts for nothing much if one will not allow its tides to do their work. Something within Kai would not let time be time, living in resistance to it.

Time became, by Kai’s own hand, an insurmountable rampart, and it seemed as though he liked it that way for a little more time.”

I think what was also detrimental to Kai's story was that we also witnessed other character's own doom and gloom - people who execute violence in order to attain their happiness at the cost of others - people who made a foolish decision in the heat of the moment, and suffered the consequences later. 'This is the human condition. All choices do not bring about an ultimate fullness. But one makes do regardless.' Often times, these characters remained nameless, which I guess, was to maintain this air of mystery about them, but in fact, it only served to annoy me further. 🙍🏻‍♀️

Particularly, towards the end when the plot features an unexpected time lapse that didn't quite provide much context to the story - rather, it just shows that nothing has changed - life will languish on for those who are privy to this semblance of living. It was trying too hard to be philosophical and ended up being more reaching and less understandable, instead. 🙎🏻‍♀️ I don't mind self-reflective words of wisdom that aim to guide the readers to assess their life differently, but at least, make it something more readable for readers to connect with.

“Just one thing: let us not forget that we are in a strange phase of our lives, trying to study; let us stay true to our aims.

And be truthful toward each other.”

I'm pretty sure this will be an impactful read for those who are interested in this type of story, and can appreciate this writing style. But, for me, it was very much of a let-down, and one I wish could have been portrayed in a different manner to leave a lasting impression on me. 😔

*Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.