I loved to read your opinion, but I don't think we are supposed to empathise with Coryo. I really didn't read the book that way. I think we are supposed to see him as he is from the start: a self-serving prick. But maybe I should write my long-overdue own review of it. So, thanks for making me want to do it.
Hmm, that’s not exactly how I read his character. At the start, he was relatively neutral and empathetic. Self-serving, yes. Prick? Not really. It is over the course of events in the novel that we see him descend into complete megalomania. I could understand how it all happened — his fall from grace; from the type of leader he could’ve been but chose not to be.
In the film, his inner monologue and thought process wasn’t very well portrayed, in my opinion, and so the ending was jarring to me. It seemed as if his character went from teetering the line of bad to one-dimensional, unsympathetic, psychopathic villain. But that’s just my take on it! Thanks for reading, I appreciate it! ☺️
I completely agree with you — the film didn’t do a great job capturing his inner monologue or thought process, which (to be fair) is tough to translate without narration. That definitely weakened his character arc on screen. But I didn’t feel the same way about the book. I actually think it’s pretty clear from the start that Coryo is on a path toward becoming a bad person. Sure, the book gives us moments that invite sympathy — his poverty, his family’s fall from grace — but even then, his every decision is calculated for personal gain. He doesn't just want to survive; he wants to rise, no matter who he steps over. The façade of charm or morality is just that: a façade. He’s obsessed with control, image, and power, and the narrative shows that clearly.
Yes, but I didn't like it that much. I actually wrote a book review on my Binge-Read newsletter (it's my Substack written in English; my mother tongue is Portuguese). And you? Have you read it? Did you like it or was also disappointed?
I didn’t like it either! In fact, I would say I was very, very frustrated with it haha. I read your review and completely agree with you! I’m not very active on Substack anymore (life is getting the better of me), but wrote a point-form review of why I hated it in Goodreads — if you’re interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7388055238
Feel free to follow me on Goodreads if you like. I’m much more active there, and I’d love to see what else you’re reading ☺️
I loved to read your opinion, but I don't think we are supposed to empathise with Coryo. I really didn't read the book that way. I think we are supposed to see him as he is from the start: a self-serving prick. But maybe I should write my long-overdue own review of it. So, thanks for making me want to do it.
Hmm, that’s not exactly how I read his character. At the start, he was relatively neutral and empathetic. Self-serving, yes. Prick? Not really. It is over the course of events in the novel that we see him descend into complete megalomania. I could understand how it all happened — his fall from grace; from the type of leader he could’ve been but chose not to be.
In the film, his inner monologue and thought process wasn’t very well portrayed, in my opinion, and so the ending was jarring to me. It seemed as if his character went from teetering the line of bad to one-dimensional, unsympathetic, psychopathic villain. But that’s just my take on it! Thanks for reading, I appreciate it! ☺️
I completely agree with you — the film didn’t do a great job capturing his inner monologue or thought process, which (to be fair) is tough to translate without narration. That definitely weakened his character arc on screen. But I didn’t feel the same way about the book. I actually think it’s pretty clear from the start that Coryo is on a path toward becoming a bad person. Sure, the book gives us moments that invite sympathy — his poverty, his family’s fall from grace — but even then, his every decision is calculated for personal gain. He doesn't just want to survive; he wants to rise, no matter who he steps over. The façade of charm or morality is just that: a façade. He’s obsessed with control, image, and power, and the narrative shows that clearly.
I do see where you’re coming from. Either way, I really liked the book a lot! Have you read Sunrise yet?
Yes, but I didn't like it that much. I actually wrote a book review on my Binge-Read newsletter (it's my Substack written in English; my mother tongue is Portuguese). And you? Have you read it? Did you like it or was also disappointed?
I didn’t like it either! In fact, I would say I was very, very frustrated with it haha. I read your review and completely agree with you! I’m not very active on Substack anymore (life is getting the better of me), but wrote a point-form review of why I hated it in Goodreads — if you’re interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7388055238
Feel free to follow me on Goodreads if you like. I’m much more active there, and I’d love to see what else you’re reading ☺️