- #1
I wasn't really sure how to rate this novel to be honest. I really liked the premise and the writing quality is absolutely amazing. The translator was able to translate the many poems in the novel so that they are just as beautiful as in their native language and the sophisticated writing style of the author shines through. However, as well written as it is, the characters made sure that I can not stand this novel. Don't misunderstand, they are well fleshed out and I didn't notice even once when they went OOC, even the side characters have plots that seem to me to be just as in depth as the MCs. But the MC acts exactly like a middle schooler who is sitting next to her crush. The synopsis mentions that Alan is a stalker, but in my opinion the MC is much more so. She is leading on Toby, concealing things that could easily be explained (and probably should be shared) with lies from her friends, and the amount of times that I cringed from reading her interactions with Alan are far too many for me to have just read 16 chapters. The mother of the MC is overbearing which isn't uncommon in novels but definitely not a detail that was needed I think. It is very accurately set in the classic novel Pride and Prejudice but Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy of that novel are specifically mentioned in the beginning to explain why they will not show up even once which is extremely disappointing as I happen to love it. All in all, the writing is superb and if you can bear with a somewhat dry beginning I think you will enjoy this novel. My hat goes off to the translator to their work, I just personally do not enjoy it at all.