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Book Review: Taipei Story by R.F. Kuang
Our Taipei Story review explores R.F. Kuang's 2026 novel about language, grief, cultural identity and one unforgettable summer in Taiwan.
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Thoughtful book reviews for readers looking for their next great read.
Independent reviews, literary analysis and carefully curated reading guides, with a particular interest in Asian literature, translated fiction and contemporary novels.
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We publish reviews to help readers decide what is worth their time. Our criticism is independent, specific and written for readers rather than publishers.
How we review →Fresh from the reading pile
Latest reviews
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Beneath the murder mystery and social media commentary is a novel deeply interested in visibility and desirability.
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This is a novel about family legacy, migration, regret, ambition, and whether preserving tradition always requires personal sacrifice.
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Whether you admire it may depend on your tolerance for morally abrasive protagonists and structurally chaotic psychological fiction.
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Best Korean Fiction Books in Translation: 15 Essential Novels Every Reader Should Discover
While Korean dramas, films, and music have gained international recognition, Korean novels have undergone a similar transformation.
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Asian literature
Reviews and guides covering Singapore, Korea, Japan and translated fiction from across the region.
Book Review: The Unlikely Motherhood of Shaleni May
It’s about reinvention, belonging, aging, marriage, and the reality that major life changes do not automatically resolve old emotional wounds.
Read article →Best Korean Fiction Books in Translation: 15 Essential Novels Every Reader Should Discover
While Korean dramas, films, and music have gained international recognition, Korean novels have undergone a similar transformation.
Read article →
Book Review: Sister Snake by Amanda Lee Koe
At its heart, this is a story about two sisters who have lived for more than a thousand years and still struggle to understand each other.
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