Singular Life of Korean Spirit
Book Reviews for The Singular Life of Aria Patel & Good Old-Fashioned Korean Spirit
The Singular Life of Aria Patel by Samira Ahmed
Unintentionally, I’ve realized that I’ve read several novels this year that intertwine quantum physics with romance. The Singular Life of Aria Patel is by far the most technical one, as it goes in deep with the sci-fi elements. This may unfortunately lead to it being less reader-friendly than other books that feature similar themes. The initial premise was promising, and honestly, if we followed Aria hopping around different dimensions more, then it would have made for a more entertaining adventure. Unfortunately, Aria only jumps around a bit before landing in the one dimension that she ends up stuck in for most of the book. What comes next is a rather disheartening tale of a girl who is determined not to remain in a place that is not her true “home,” yet she confronts insurmountable challenges in her attempt to go back to where she belongs. In fact, most of Aria’s story is filled with so much tension that sadly never calms down. In the end, the reader is left hanging and with more unanswered questions than when they first started the book. The Singular Life of Aria Patel is for a reader who is far more patient than I, who enjoys science fiction, poetry, and enigmatic riddles that offer no straightforward resolution. I truly appreciate the South Asian representation in a story that typically lacks diversity, and I found Aria’s determination to escape a place where she doesn’t belong to be quite refreshing. However, the over-explanation of the scientific details and the overall logistics of quantum physics in The Singular Life of Aria Patel was not just too confusing but also boring for me.
Read If You Liked: You and Me on Repeat by Mary Shyne
Good Old-Fashioned Korean Spirit by Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada
At first glance, I thought we were headed for more of a creepy ghost story, a fact not helped by the fact that the advance copy I was reading was in black and white. However, the only thing haunting the characters in Hyun Sook Kim and Ryan Estrada’s Good Old-Fashioned Korean Spirit are all the secrets the teenagers are hiding from each other. Set in 1980s South Korea, Good Old-Fashioned Korean Spirit is based on Hyun Sook’s own experience as a youth who ran an actual illicit book club reading and promoting banned works during a fascist government. I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. There was just so much drama, as the teens were all going through some major stuff, all while living under a restrictive government. Luckily, everyone was able to come together with the help of the older grannies who were always in the background looking out for them. It was heartwarming to witness the two generations working together. The teenagers helped with physical tasks, while the elders provided emotional guidance to those who lacked parental support. For those not familiar with Korean history, Good Old-Fashioned Korean Spirit can serve as a good introduction. But what makes it such a compelling read is just how timely it is. Unfortunately, fascism is once again on the rise, and book bans are once again taking place in the United States and Canada in 2025. In fact, it’s gotten so bad that the authours, who are married and live in South Korea, have cancelled all of their in-person American book promotions due to safety concerns. Still, I suppose if we’re doomed to repeat history anyway, Good Old-Fashioned Korean Spirit is a good reminder that things are not completely hopeless, as there will always be those willing to rise up and save themselves no matter what.
Read If You Liked: Huda F Wants to Know? by Huda Fahmy
Early copies of these titles were generously provided to me by the publisher for review. However, the above reviews consists of my honest opinion of the books and my opinion only.
