en-US Mon, 07 Apr 2025 00:57:43 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg Review6682200364 Mon, 07 Apr 2025 00:57:43 -0700 /review/show/6682200364 Taufiq gave 3 stars to Little Women (Little Women, #1) by Louisa May Alcott
bookshelves: english
In 19th‑century America, this novel carried huge significance because it broke through gender stereotypes. In the book, the March family’s second daughter - Jo - is depicted as a strong, optimistic, and fiercely independent woman who chases economic freedom and a personal career. Sadly, even this unconventional character eventually ends up following the same tired path of marriage and family. Meanwhile, her sisters - Meg, the eldest, and Amy, the youngest - embody the traditional 19th‑century ideal of a proper lady, perfectly fitting the era’s expectations of modesty, gentleness, refinement, and total devotion to the home (sometimes even tying the knot for the sake of love).

Looking at the novel as a whole, Louisa May Alcott spends a lot of time fleshing out the unique personalities of the 4 sisters, only to ultimately tie their fates up in a romanticized vision of marriage and domestic life - a conclusion that’s really disappointing.

Back in the 19th century, when women had almost no chance to live independently, stressing the importance of family made sense. But in the 21st century, we shouldn’t be pushing that idea anymore. Frankly, I wouldn’t recommend this book to my daughter. It preaches that marriage and love are the ultimate goals for a woman, which can restrict her ambitions and limit the many paths she could take. In today’s world, that mindset feels pretty suffocating.

Through its characters and plot, Alcott subtly reinforces the notion that women should be primarily responsible for running the household and centering their lives around their husbands. For instance, Mrs. March. the mother of the sisters - ends up single-handedly managing the home because her husband is away at war. And when he does return, the book barely shows him contributing to domestic life. Meg, the eldest, gets married at a young age and instantly her world revolves around her husband and her new family. She even feels guilty if she can’t host his friends properly or frets over spending too much on a silk scarf, terrified of his disapproval.

These details might have seemed normal back then, but by today’s standards, they’re downright disturbing. I firmly believe young girls should focus on developing themselves in every way possible. Over-romanticizing marriage and love - creating what I’d call “love-brained� women - is not exactly the recipe for gender equality we need now.

What’s really hidden behind the mask of “pursuing independence� is a set of societal rules that continue to oppress and tame women. I keep pointing out the book’s historical context because its values just don’t stand up in today’s society - they’re outdated.

Little Women has long been celebrated as a feminist classic that encourages female freedom, independence, and self-respect. But after reading it, I couldn’t help noticing that none of the female characters ever truly rebel against the societal expectations placed on them. In fact, some of them practically represent the idealized image of a woman in a patriarchal society: the self-sacrificing Mrs. March, the gentle Meg, the poised Amy, the selfless Beth, and even Jo, the supposed rebel, can’t escape the pull of marriage and family. They’re all willing to live modestly and devote themselves entirely to their husbands, embodying everything a man might dream of in a wife.

As a man, I really don’t want my daughter to end up living such a limited, humdrum life once I hand her over to someone else.

I believe it’s far more important to teach young girls to chase their dreams and carve out their own unique paths in life. Today’s society needs women who achieve success beyond just the confines of family and marriage. In our modern world, we don’t need to keep looking to the March sisters as the ideal for womanhood. New role models for the new era are essential - we need bold, self-driven, truly independent girls.

Simply put: love and marriage should never be seen as the ultimate goal of a woman’s life.

3.4 / 5 stars ]]> Review6825830942 Sun, 30 Mar 2025 07:24:16 -0700 /review/show/6825830942 Taufiq gave 5 stars to The Time Traveler's Wife (ebook) by Audrey Niffenegger
bookshelves: english
This novel is about the love story between a man who exists on the edge of time and a woman who lives in a normal timeline.

When they met, she was 6 and he was 36.
When they married, she was 23 and he was 31.
When they reunited after parting, she was 82 and he was 43.

The idea alone is very captivating.

Henry’s life is a winding journey where he sometimes vanishes unexpectedly and is forced to relive past moments. Meanwhile, Claire lives a regular life, always waiting, longing for his return. Even though she has all the time in the world, she measures it by the moments when she sees him.

Their love spans almost a century. In the rush of time, each of us is small, but the emotions we leave behind are lasting. Henry even says, “Time is nothing extraordinary.�

Claire’s deep love for Henry started in her childhood - steady and unchanging, like wild grass that keeps growing no matter how harsh things get. Whether it was through lessons, sketches, or puzzles, she spent sunny afternoons waiting to see him, treasuring a secret happiness known only to her. Despite the long wait, she’d choose the same path again.

Henry, a humble librarian with a strange condition that makes him slip through time, became completely devoted to Claire after meeting her. Near the end of the novel, he leaves her a letter saying that their love was his guiding light and the only truth in his chaotic life. Unlike others who risk everything for freedom, Henry only wants to be a normal man - growing old with her, sharing quiet moments under a tree on a sunny afternoon.

Time itself is an unstoppable force, carrying us all forward whether we notice or not. Out of the countless moments in life, only those filled with real emotion truly matter. Henry’s love for Claire threads through different moments in time, always coming back to her.

I believe in these small miracles - the subtle, beautiful emotions hidden in time. Sometimes, Claire’s quiet waiting is its own kind of happiness, keeping their souls deeply connected even when they are apart. As the story goes, while men set out and women wait by the shore, they are all hoping to be reunited with the ones they love.

There’s a moment when Henry is shot, and young Claire sees him smiling on the lawn - even as different versions of him appear across time. Though she doesn’t fully understand what’s happening, the joy of that encounter makes it unforgettable.

Later, in a letter, Henry tells Claire he’s seen her again on a warm morning. He describes her wearing a coral cardigan with her white hair flowing and a cup of tea beside her. In that moment, time seems to stand still as they embrace, making up for lost moments and proving that true love never changes.

Have you ever felt like you’re on a train, watching a river change yet remain constant? That’s the feeling this book gives - a simple, timeless tale of love, fate, and an unbreakable bond.

Time may seem ordinary, but when it’s chased by a train, the journey becomes truly remarkable.

4.6 / 5 stars ]]> Review6662359772 Sun, 30 Mar 2025 07:23:58 -0700 /review/show/6662359772 Taufiq gave 2 stars to The Fault in Our Stars (Hardcover) by John Green
bookshelves: english, malay-translation
This novel left me feeling pretty indifferent when I first read it a decade ago. Back then, all the hype just didn’t do anything for me - the story felt too predictable, the characters were a bit one-note, and I couldn’t really connect emotionally.

I even tried the Malay translation, Tertulis di Bintang-Bintang but that version felt even slower, and I suspect some of Green’s subtle character nuances got lost in translation. So, I switched back to the original English version, hoping for a fresh take. Sure, the writing flowed better, but the core issues stayed the same.

1 thing that kept bugging me was how Hazel and Augustus were portrayed. Their endless philosophical chats, meant to be deep, came off as forced. I mean, these are teenagers dealing with a life-threatening illness- shouldn’t their conversations be more about stolen glances, shattered dreams, or raw fear about the future rather than abstract debates? It felt like the emotional punch I was expecting just wasn’t there.

The plot was predictable too - it focused more on the concept of cancer than really digging into the characters� personal struggles. I never really felt connected to their internal journeys, which was a major letdown for me.

I totally get why so many people love this book. The themes of love, loss, and finding meaning in the face of illness are undeniably powerful, and Green’s writing is engaging. But for me, it just never clicked - then or now.

In the end, literature is super subjective: what resonates with 1 person might just be “okay� for another. Maybe it isn’t a top contender for me, but it’s clearly made a big impact on YA literature. Who knows? Perhaps another reread in another decade might give me a completely different perspective.

2.5 / 5 stars ]]> Review6725246581 Thu, 27 Mar 2025 01:55:52 -0700 /review/show/6725246581 Taufiq gave 5 stars to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium #1) by Stieg Larsson
bookshelves: english
Honestly, I’ve got to admit - this is probably the first crime novel I’ve ever read. It doesn’t have any fancy, flowery prose, but its well-drawn characters and slick storytelling are really what hook you. It’s cool on the outside with a warm core, just like all my old fantasies about the Nordic scene and Stockholm.

The story starts off pretty slowly. On his birthday, the 82-year-old Swedish tycoon Vanger, as always, gets an anonymous framed pressed flower that actually brings him to tears. Then there’s Blomkvist, the 43-year-old publisher of Millennium magazine, known for exposing corporate scandals. This time, though, he’s been caught off guard by a sneaky stock market speculator in an Armani suit - now he’s staring down the barrel of jail time and a ruined reputation. And of course, there’s Salander - the 24-year-old investigator for a security company, small, tattooed, and a bit of an oddball. Larsson introduces each of these characters one by one, pulling you into a winding journey through crime and mystery.

At first, the pace is super relaxed. I spent about 3 or 4 days just soaking in the character introductions - probably because my high expectations for a crime novel were met with a rather mellow start. But then, out of nowhere, the narrative speeds up and takes a sharp turn. Suddenly, I found myself binge-reading 3 nights in a row, devouring a story that quickly became 3 times as intense as the slow opening.

Potential Spoilers Ahead

Salander - the infamous “dragon tattoo girl�- has a tragic backstory that echoes real events in Stockholm. You might even find the whole welfare state façade a bit laughable, and before you know it, you’re rooting for this 24-year-old who somehow looks like she’s barely 14. As the saying goes, “if you see yourself only as a victim, you’ll never get any help.�

Then there’s a murder case that feels like a classic locked-room mystery set on a remote island, mixed up with a powerful family’s dark past. Larsson ramps up the pace like a roller coaster - just when you’re completely absorbed in this isolated, enigmatic case, the truth suddenly pops out, leaving the whole locked-room mystery vibe in the dust.

These days, most crime novels follow the same old formula: the author writes off a doomed victim, and a smart detective slowly unravels the mystery to catch the killer. But this novel breaks that mold - it’s a story that takes justice seriously. Larsson never glamorizes crime or its perpetrators, and he treats the victims with real respect, though you can still sense his quiet sighs and the weight of his thoughts.

Every character in the book is hiding something, and as their secrets come out, they’re forced to face the darkest parts of their lives and the world.

Right from the start, the story feels like a stubborn treasure hunt set up by a wealthy old man on his last leg. A hapless journalist - sued for defamation over a botched business report - is roped into this game by the old man. Layer by layer, as the fog of secrets lifts, you get closer and closer to the truth, only to find that what’s at stake isn’t just a missing little girl. This isn’t your typical kidnapping case - it involves lingering Nazi ghosts, a serial killer who hates women, twisted methods of perverse education, brutal sexual assaults on women, and even shady business deals and underground trades. It’s enough to make you shudder, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

What really draws me in isn’t just the gripping plot, but Larsson’s gutsy willingness to expose the truth. When it comes to all the mess in society, he tackles it head-on, sometimes even with a bit of anger. (I bet if I could understand Swedish, that anger would hit even harder.) I used to shy away from strong emotions, thinking my voice couldn’t really change anything when faced with injustice. But maybe that’s the wrong attitude. Sometimes, we need someone to speak up and wake those who think everything’s hunky-dory, so they don’t end up lost in eternal darkness.

Some folks say the book feels a bit rushed - like it’s trying to be both a brilliant crime story and a hard-hitting social critique at the same time, which might water down both. I, however, think it’s a really bold and worthwhile effort. Whether juggling the dual narratives ends up being a bit messy or the raw anger in the prose feels unpolished, it’s still super admirable that a writer poured all his passion into boldly exposing the flaws of his country.

After all, sometimes the iceberg is just too huge, and there aren’t enough brave souls to chip away at it.

4.6 / 5 stars ]]> Review6806684225 Thu, 27 Mar 2025 01:55:34 -0700 /review/show/6806684225 Taufiq gave 3 stars to The Pole (Hardcover) by J.M. Coetzee
bookshelves: english
The Pole is told from the perspective of Beatriz, a well-to-do, educated Spanish woman in her late 40s. She enjoys a seemingly perfect life, complete with a stable marriage, a passion for music, and a penchant for philanthropy. While she once believed in the power of love, she has grown more pragmatic with age, learning to look at things realistically.

A chance encounter with a 70-year-old Polish pianist, Wittold Walccyzkiecz, disrupts her tranquil life. Renowned for his restrained and rational interpretations of Chopin, the pianist is the antithesis of Beatriz's more emotional approach to music. Their initial interactions are hindered by a language barrier. For Beatriz, this is merely a brief interlude in her otherwise peaceful existence. However, when the pianist expresses his love for her in an email, she is more perplexed than moved.

Coetzee portrays Beatriz as exceptionally clear-headed and emotionally distant. She embodies the spirit of our times: distrustful of unmotivated love and accustomed to controlling her emotions. When confronted with an unexpected desire, she politely declines and even discusses it nonchalantly with her husband. She seems capable of dismissing love at will, yet she can't help but wonder: ”When someone says they love me, what do they really want from me?"

Beatriz meticulously plans a vacation, inviting the pianist to her husband's childhood villa. She even manages to maintain control over their intimate moments, which Coetzee describes with clinical precision, as if they were a scientific experiment. Beatriz appears to be observing herself, analyzing how this deviation from her usual life affects her and those around her.

Yet, nothing changes. She dismisses the pianist, ignores his letters, and continues with her life. It's only after his death, when his daughter contacts her about a box he left for her, that I realize Beatriz's narrative is unreliable. She visits Poland, spends the night in his home, and even hires a translator to decipher his final poem. Her curiosity seems more complex than she lets on.

Those who have never experienced all-consuming love can never truly understand it. Beatriz's encounter with the pianist's one-sided love is like visiting a historical site: a place where people once built their lives, their loves, their beliefs. And yet, she remains detached, as if observing a distant civilization.

I completely understand Beatriz. For years, I've avoided romantic literature because I no longer seeking for it. Even the pianist's declaration, "I want to spend my whole life with you. A week? A day? Even a minute. A minute would be enough. I will engrave you in my memory," fails to move me. It's as if I’ve become immune to such sentiments.

I no longer believe in the idea of being engraved in someone's memory. For me, forgetting is the only antidote. Phrases like "everything passes," "time heals all wounds," "love is an illusion," and "only desires and needs are eternal" have become daily mantras.

Coetzee is known for his use of symbolism. In this novel, Dante, Chopin, and Poland are all significant symbols. However, these symbols seem less important than the novel's opening line: At first, it was the woman who caused him trouble, and then, very soon, it was the man."

Who is this "he"? Perhaps it's Coetzee himself, or perhaps it's some of us, the readers. Initially, we are troubled by the cold rationality of characters like Beatriz. But when we encounter the passionate, irrational love of the pianist, we become fearful of being consumed by such emotions.

In the end, I choose rationality over passion. I tread carefully around the ruins of romanticism, leaving behind a token of remembrance.

The novel explores themes of love, loss, aging, and the clash between reason and emotion. Beatriz serves as a representative of modern society, where emotional detachment and pragmatism often prevail over passion and idealism. The Polish pianist, on the other hand, embodies a more romantic, idealistic view of love.

Coetzee uses the contrast between these two characters to examine the complexities of human relationships and the impact of societal changes on our understanding of love. The novel also raises questions about the nature of identity, memory, and the meaning of life. It was just an OK read for me.

2.6 / 5 stars ]]> Review6804410334 Thu, 27 Mar 2025 01:53:50 -0700 /review/show/6804410334 Taufiq gave 5 stars to Lord of the Flies (Paperback) by William Golding
bookshelves: english
Spoilers Ahead!

A group of kids get stranded on a deserted island. At first, it feels like paradise - no adults, plenty of food, and endless freedom. They explore, set up some rules, and even hold democratic meetings where anyone with the conch gets to speak. They elect Ralph as their leader since he seems smart and responsible. He organizes shelter-building, assigns tasks, and keeps a signal fire burning in hopes of rescue.

But things start falling apart fast. A careless fire burns down half the mountain, a little kid who first mentioned the “beast� mysteriously disappears, and Jack, the choir leader, becomes obsessed with hunting. Soon, his hunting crew lets the signal fire go out, and the divide between him and Ralph deepens.

As time passes, more kids abandon Ralph’s leadership for Jack’s tribe, drawn to the thrill of hunting and the promise of meat. They paint their faces, dance around bonfires, and offer up pig heads as sacrifices. Fear of the “beast� takes over their minds. In a chaotic frenzy after a feast, they mistake Simon - who was about to reveal the truth about the “beast�- for a monster and kill him.

This is the point of no return. Jack’s tribe, fully embracing savagery, kills Piggy by crushing him with a boulder. The twins are captured, leaving Ralph completely alone. Soon, the tribe starts hunting him down, even setting the entire island on fire in the process. Just as he’s about to be caught, a naval officer arrives, drawn by the smoke. The kids break down in tears as they realize what they’ve become.

The story makes one thing clear: civilization can crumble in an instant. In just a few weeks, these once-innocent kids go from building shelters to burning everything down, from hunting animals to killing each other. Golding, having lived through two world wars, forces us to confront the darkest parts of human nature.

This brings us to the big question: Is human nature good or evil?

Lord of the Flies seems to argue for Human nature is evil. Even from the start, the kids show selfishness, cruelty, and a hunger for power - ignoring the younger ones, dismissing Piggy’s ideas, and constantly struggling for control. The “beast� exists in their minds long before they act on it. And ironically, their rescuers - the naval officers - are part of a world at war themselves.

But does that mean people are inherently evil? I don’t think so.

Self-interest isn’t always bad - it’s what drives both destruction and progress. Admiring strength helped humans survive. Laziness led to innovation. Power struggles built societies. What matters isn’t whether human nature is good or bad, but how we handle it.

Jack’s tribe didn’t fall apart because it was irrational - it actually worked too well. Hunting brought food, rituals created unity, and the fear of the “beast� gave them purpose. The real problem was that Ralph’s leadership failed to recognize the emotional, irrational side of human nature. He relied on rules and democracy, but without real power or consequences, his system collapsed. Jack, on the other hand, gave people what they wanted - security, excitement, and belonging.

In the end, Lord of the Flies isn’t just about savagery. It’s about the delicate balance between reason and instinct, order and chaos. Ignore one, and civilization falls apart. But understanding both? That’s the key to something better.

5 / 5 stars ]]> Review7284628560 Mon, 24 Mar 2025 09:45:14 -0700 /review/show/7284628560 Taufiq gave 4 stars to The Book of Goose (Hardcover) by Yiyun Li
Compared to Yiyun Li’s other novels, This 1 obviously is a much easier read - its language is a lot simpler. But even though it feels light on the surface, there are plenty of moments that really make you stop and think.

I’ve always been into Li’s writing, and this book is no different. It’s not just about the straightforward, spot-on word choices or her typically breezy yet slightly heavy tone - it’s also about how much I could see myself in it.

When I think back on my childhood, my experiences are a lot like Agnes’s in the book. We were both pretty indecisive, and we all had that one “Fabian� in our lives. When our past lives started to fade away, I, like Agnes, wanted to cling to the past even if it wasn’t real. And when it was time to face the future, I ended up freezing or even stepping back, just like her. Plus, I totally get all the subtle emotions throughout the book; I felt this deep connection with Agnes.

The story is about a first love that never really got off the ground - the love between Agnes and Fabian - without any big, pre-set worldviews getting in the way. It starts in a small, somewhat backward town in France. These girls grew up on their own terms, completely free from society’s usual expectations. I believe Fabian had a special affection for Agnes - especially when she writes letters to Agnes both as herself and as a made-up character, Jacques, who’s supposed to be Agnes’s boyfriend. From the letters and the way Fabian acts when Agnes comes back from England, you can tell that her feelings go way beyond friendship. And what Agnes feels for Fabian isn’t something you can easily label - it’s just pure and free. So there’s really no need to over-explain it.

Another cool thing about the book is that it’s not told from a traditional, all-knowing perspective. Instead, it’s Agnes’s story. And what she tells us - like a friend sharing their version of events - isn’t always completely true. As readers, we have to dig into both her words and her actions to figure out what really happened. In that sense, who hurt whom or who loved whom more might even be something Agnes herself can’t fully grasp, let alone us.

Still, I think it’s a love story. Or rather, it’s a story about love.

To me, the main theme of the novel is time. It’s like a quiet protest against the harsh, ever-moving nature of time, and a blunt look at the fact that growing up is inevitable. When we’re young and free of responsibilities, we can dream about a future where we’re living happily and stylishly in France, England, or even America. But more often than not, we end up stuck where we were born, living out our lives just like our parents did. It might sound a bit gloomy, but after finishing the book, I couldn’t shake the feeling that most of life is just a pointless cycle.

3.8 / 5 stars ]]> Review7353461092 Sun, 23 Mar 2025 22:22:23 -0700 /review/show/7353461092 Taufiq gave 4 stars to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Hardcover) by Lewis Carroll
bookshelves: english
I believe anyone who has read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland cannot deny its relentless absurdity. From the characters to the narrative, descriptions, and dialogue, it's a journey into the nonsensical: mice and ducks arguing over meaningless pronouns; the enigmatic Caterpillar, smoking a hookah and asking 'Who are you?'; the perpetually weeping Mock Turtle; and, of course, the endless mad tea parties and pre-trial trials. What are these?!

And don’t be fooled into thinking Alice is the only sane one in this madness. She's the one pondering curtsies while plummeting down a rabbit hole and composing snail-paced poems before others even finish their stories. Absurdity is truly in her bones.

Despite this apparent randomness, Carroll’s work is not entirely without grounding. The tea parties and croquet matches were common social activities in Victorian England, and the Queen of Hearts, always demanding executions, was a clear satire of the era. It's even rumored that Queen Victoria herself was a fan of this book.

The nonsense verses about the 3 sisters eating sweets were inspired by the real-life Liddell sisters, especially the youngest Alice for whom the book was written. This rootedness in reality is what makes the story believable and enduring.

Unfortunately, the absurdist literature of the 20th century lacks this grounding. Modern absurdist authors present their work with a serious, often humorless tone, forcing readers to delve deep into the text for meaning. It's as if they expect us to be impressed by our ability to decipher their work, much like the subjects in The Emperor’s New Clothes These authors often seem more interested in exploring existential themes than in telling a good story. Their plays are typically filled with themes of deceit, despair, alienation, and exile.

Carroll on the other hand, simply told a fun story. His Wonderland is a vibrant place filled with strange and wonderful creatures. The illogical dialogue and events might seem "curiouser and curiouser," but they are also enchanting. While deeper meanings can be found, Carroll's primary goal was to entertain.

And we shall not overlook the literary sophistication of this book. Alice's stream-of-consciousness thoughts and Carroll’s witty asides in parentheses demonstrate a high level of literary skill. The nonsense verses, many of which are parodies of well-known poems, are also quite sophisticated. There are puns, jokes, and unique word choices throughout.

The beauty of Alice lies in its balance: the balance between fun and depth, absurdity and reality. When the story threatens to get bogged down in nonsense, Carroll deftly moves the plot forward. Of course, not everyone appreciates this "magic of nonsense."

Honestly, I wouldn't recommend this book for very young children due to its complex language and bizarre concepts. Even adults would not entirely appreciate the meanings of this book.

4.2 / 5 stars ]]> Review6766731138 Thu, 20 Mar 2025 23:55:02 -0700 /review/show/6766731138 Taufiq gave 5 stars to I Am the Messenger (Paperback) by Markus Zusak
bookshelves: english
Just like The Book Thief, I Am The Messenger is a captivating read, likely because of Zusak's signature style. What initially drew me in was the plot and the character of Ed.

A bungled bank robber couldn't even command the respect of the hostages, who were all under 20. While the robber was sweating nervously, the protagonist, Ed, and his friend, Marv, were still bickering. That's how the story begins.

Ed, who enjoys playing poker, suddenly becomes a hero after a reversed bank robbery. He starts receiving poker cards - first diamonds, then clubs, spades, hearts, and finally a joker. (I originally thought it would end with hearts.)

Potential Spoilers ahead!

After reading the first chapter, I was left with many questions. Who sent Ed the cards? Why choose Ed? How did he know these people needed help? How did he know Ed could actually help them? These questions are all answered in the end, and the explanations are quite convincing. By the second chapter, you'll discover the book's clever design. It's divided into four chapters, each representing a suit of cards, and further divided into 13 smaller sections, just like there are 13 cards in each suit. And on each Ace that Ed receives, there are three pieces of information waiting for Ed to discover and act upon. Within the framework of the larger story, there are many smaller stories.

A few of my favorite stories:

Milla, a lonely old woman who has never stopped waiting for her husband to come home. But he won't be coming back; he died in the war. She's been waiting for 60 years. Ed transforms into Milla's husband, Jimmy, to eat with her, read to her, and invite her to celebrate Christmas together, bringing a bit of happiness to the old woman's later years.

Father O'Relly, a down-to-earth priest. Because his church is far away and unpopular, he moves to a slum to help those who need him. Ed attracts everyone in town to the church with free beer, bringing new life to the church. I particularly like the part where Ed and Marv are painting church day messages on the road in the middle of the night, and on church day, everyone is partying together, sincerely grateful for the joy of the moment.

The Tatupu Family, a Polynesian family living on the edge of town. They've lived in the neighborhood for a year but have never received a single greeting or help from their neighbors. Ed sends them a string of Christmas lights for Christmas. At the same time, this warm family also lights up the light in Ed's heart.

While helping others, Ed himself becomes stronger. Originally, he was just a 19-year-old taxi driver. But as the story progresses, from questioning himself in the first chapter to bravely accepting challenges in the second chapter and feeling ambitious at the end of the third chapter, he leaves his footprints in the lives of others, gaining gratitude and affirmation from others. He becomes more confident, braver, and understanding of life.

Who planned all this?

I suspected Audrey at first. The person who planned all this must know Ed very well and be close to him, otherwise, they wouldn't have had a chance to capture his every move. But it wasn't Audrey.

Who was it, then?

Everything is revealed in the final sentence of this book. If a very ordinary person can do so much, it proves that everyone can do the same. To give a little help to strangers, to give a little help to the people around you, to give a little help to yourself. Ed is not a messenger; I strongly believe he is a message from Zusak to the readers.

Another question puzzles me: how were these people selected? Perhaps everyone simply needs help to some extent. All you need to do is take a step and try to understand them. Also, don't ignore the people around you, just like the last chapter is about the heart.

4.8 / 5 stars

My other reviews of Zusak's work:
The Book Thief ]]>