Esther Yi
Author of Y/N: A Novel
About the Author
Works by Esther Yi
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1989
- Gender
- female
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Los Angeles, California, USA
- Places of residence
- Leipzig, Germany
Members
Reviews
Lists
Awards
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 3
- Also by
- 1
- Members
- 138
- Popularity
- #148,171
- Rating
- 3.4
- Reviews
- 6
- ISBNs
- 4
At the risk of sounding horribly, horribly pretentious (and not caring!), Y/N can definitely be categorized as a contemporary symbolist novel, verging on pure surrealism. Was it absolutely perfect? No. But it was an incredibly thoughtful and cutting look at contemporary loneliness, love, and what that looks like when it becomes obsessive and impulsive. The novel reminded me of Djuna Barnes' surreal-symbolist-nightmare take on love/obsession in her book Nightwood, and while not as polished, absolutely digs into the weeds of a destructive emotional state that leaves you high as a kite and unutterably altered for life.
Unfortunately, I also understand the poor ratings: this is not an easy book by any means to get through, and when taken seriously, is quite symbolically dense. Focusing on something as internet-y as K-pop and then drowning it into such a heavy literary style is just not going to work for most people, and it's a damn misfortune.
Anyway, Y/N has an incredibly strong voice and Yi should be very proud of this. I recommend this to others who are, obviously, into dense literary styles and enjoy modernism, but are also happy to see this approach through a contemporary lens.… (more)