I rarely hard DNF a book. As a mood reader, soft DNFs are relatively common for me — I often set a book aside if the timing isn’t right. But a hard DNF is rare, and so this is a quiet reflection on why I had to stop reading Blowfish.
Please know this is entirely subjective and not a reflection on the book’s calibre. If Blowfish calls to you, I absolutely encourage you to give it a try.
I was genuinely excited for this release and grateful to receive an ARC from Edelweiss and Astra House (Penguin Random House). I’m drawn to Korean fiction, and the themes in this novel — though challenging — sounded like the kind of reflective literature I tend to enjoy.
Blowfish follows two protagonists — a sculptor and an architect — both grappling with loss and meditating on death. The premise was deeply promising, and Kim’s translation had a quiet elegance. Normally, I love a good character study, but the pacing here felt glacial.
The sculptor’s story felt more dominant, and the architect’s presence often slipped from my mind in between chapters. When the narrative returned to him, I had to work to recall what had previously happened, and the shifts between perspectives didn’t offer quite enough momentum to keep me engaged.
I share this reflection not to discourage, but to offer an honest account of my experience. Reading is deeply personal, and this story may resonate in ways it didn’t for me. If it intrigues you, I hope you’ll give it a chance.
