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Till Death Do Us Part
Set in early-20th century China, this story takes off in the port city of Tientsin (Tianjin) that is divided into lands called concessions and owned by several foreign powers. Shen Liangsheng is a charismatic and cunning playboy, a son of a rich businessman, who has profits as his top priority. He meets Ch’in Ching, an average school teacher who appears mild but actually holds a patriotic heart for his home. The two cross paths and sparks fly. But will their love hold strong through the imminent forces that will tear the country apart…?
257 pages, Paperback
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
June 3, 2021
Chinese historical mm romance set amidst the war??
Let me scream first.
Let me scream first.
October 18, 2025
I was ready to slap a measly one star rating on this, but in a rare act of generosity, I’m tossing in an extra one - solely for the last two chapters. I have genuinely never cared less about the fate of two people.
What an absolute nightmare. I’ve read my fair share of angsty stories. This just made me feel ill. The sheer treatment of the characters and the complete absence of any logic behind the author’s choices had me questioning what, exactly, they were smoking.
So, this time, we’re in 20th-century China, and once again, we have Shen Liangsheng, a wealthy menace to society, and CC, a teacher who deserves far better.
Shen Liangsheng is insufferable. His behavior towards CC isn’t just toxic, it’s irredeemable. No past-life karma, no tragic backstory, no poetic fate nonsense can justify the way he treats him. And yet, the novel tries to sell it as something grand. He goes through all this effort to find CC again, only to act like this? And don’t get me started on their big moment because it's just humiliating. How am I supposed to believe he cares when he treats CC like a disposable object?
Exhibit A:
"Tell me what I want to hear."
"Like what?"
"How about..." Shen Liangsheng pulled the man's head closer and kissed the mole by his eye. "Tell me that you won't marry anyone but me."
Exhibit B:
"The businessman was simply happy to see the poor man waiting for him in the rain; any little thing that showed that Qin Jing loved him brought him even more pleasure."
The whole dynamic is a cycle of emotional manipulation, where love is measured in suffering and any ounce of dignity is treated as expendable. And then there’s the contract. Classic. CC, already emotionally battered, has a moment of weakness and resigns himself to being nothing more than a lover, because, hey “I love him”! It’s not even shocking at this point. His pride was already in shambles, so what’s one more blow.
All of this could have been avoided if these two just talked. Every single misunderstanding, every ounce of suffering, every moment of self-inflicted emotional torment comes down to silence.
"He doesn’t love me," he thought.
"But I love him," he thought back.
A lifetime of unspoken words, played on repeat. Love isn’t a guessing game. You say what you need to say, or you drown in everything left unsaid.
And maybe that’s why it hit so hard, because love, when it lasts, is never just a grand gesture or a single moment of passion. It’s a slow and inevitable intertwining of two lives, marked by shared mornings, quiet compromises, and the comfort of knowing someone is there, even when words fail. I wish we had more of that lowkey. But maybe that’s the point. Maybe the beauty of it lies in its brevity, in the fact that we got to see it at all
What an absolute nightmare. I’ve read my fair share of angsty stories. This just made me feel ill. The sheer treatment of the characters and the complete absence of any logic behind the author’s choices had me questioning what, exactly, they were smoking.
So, this time, we’re in 20th-century China, and once again, we have Shen Liangsheng, a wealthy menace to society, and CC, a teacher who deserves far better.
Shen Liangsheng is insufferable. His behavior towards CC isn’t just toxic, it’s irredeemable. No past-life karma, no tragic backstory, no poetic fate nonsense can justify the way he treats him. And yet, the novel tries to sell it as something grand. He goes through all this effort to find CC again, only to act like this? And don’t get me started on their big moment because it's just humiliating. How am I supposed to believe he cares when he treats CC like a disposable object?
Exhibit A:
"Tell me what I want to hear."
"Like what?"
"How about..." Shen Liangsheng pulled the man's head closer and kissed the mole by his eye. "Tell me that you won't marry anyone but me."
Exhibit B:
"The businessman was simply happy to see the poor man waiting for him in the rain; any little thing that showed that Qin Jing loved him brought him even more pleasure."
The whole dynamic is a cycle of emotional manipulation, where love is measured in suffering and any ounce of dignity is treated as expendable. And then there’s the contract. Classic. CC, already emotionally battered, has a moment of weakness and resigns himself to being nothing more than a lover, because, hey “I love him”! It’s not even shocking at this point. His pride was already in shambles, so what’s one more blow.
All of this could have been avoided if these two just talked. Every single misunderstanding, every ounce of suffering, every moment of self-inflicted emotional torment comes down to silence.
"He doesn’t love me," he thought.
"But I love him," he thought back.
A lifetime of unspoken words, played on repeat. Love isn’t a guessing game. You say what you need to say, or you drown in everything left unsaid.
And maybe that’s why it hit so hard, because love, when it lasts, is never just a grand gesture or a single moment of passion. It’s a slow and inevitable intertwining of two lives, marked by shared mornings, quiet compromises, and the comfort of knowing someone is there, even when words fail. I wish we had more of that lowkey. But maybe that’s the point. Maybe the beauty of it lies in its brevity, in the fact that we got to see it at all
April 20, 2021
I would be lying if I said that I didn’t feel my heart squeezing in my rib cage when I read the last few words in the story. This is how you write a perfect bittersweet ending. Please take note that it is better if you read the prequel before reading this. It makes the story sweeter and sadder.
I knew the time period in which both books were based in will truly make it more magical and devastating. In the backdrop of the Japanese occupying China during the World War we have a forbidden love story being written, no the correct words would be a love story being continued. A love story that was left painfully hanging halfway. It is forbidden. It is thought to be a sin. It is a love that would never be fulfilled and yet our protagonist strive to achieve happiness.
The story is laced with many heart wrenching moments. Reality is never the sweet stories we see on film, it is wrung with obstacles. We get a front seat preview of our protagonist fighting for this type of love in a time it was never tolerated. What really broke me were the last few chapters. Not because it was sad but it was heartbreakingly realistic. We got the chance to see them grow from 26 and 24-year old youths to 73-year old men who finally found their inner peace. What broke me truly was when their great-goddaughter finally figured the real truth of their relationship. When she thought back to the sufferings they had to go because of it but how they managed to still stick by each other. When she wept I cried with her. For the love story that actually managed to fight through time and space.
There are moments that the concept of reincarnation and rebirth are brought forward and at the end that is what it finishes with. Finally the two finished their life cycle.
Love is never a sin. If there are no rules for falling in love, why does law have to put them?
I knew the time period in which both books were based in will truly make it more magical and devastating. In the backdrop of the Japanese occupying China during the World War we have a forbidden love story being written, no the correct words would be a love story being continued. A love story that was left painfully hanging halfway. It is forbidden. It is thought to be a sin. It is a love that would never be fulfilled and yet our protagonist strive to achieve happiness.
The story is laced with many heart wrenching moments. Reality is never the sweet stories we see on film, it is wrung with obstacles. We get a front seat preview of our protagonist fighting for this type of love in a time it was never tolerated. What really broke me were the last few chapters. Not because it was sad but it was heartbreakingly realistic. We got the chance to see them grow from 26 and 24-year old youths to 73-year old men who finally found their inner peace. What broke me truly was when their great-goddaughter finally figured the real truth of their relationship. When she thought back to the sufferings they had to go because of it but how they managed to still stick by each other. When she wept I cried with her. For the love story that actually managed to fight through time and space.
There are moments that the concept of reincarnation and rebirth are brought forward and at the end that is what it finishes with. Finally the two finished their life cycle.
Love is never a sin. If there are no rules for falling in love, why does law have to put them?
September 21, 2025
4.5/5 🌟
"Ch’in Ching was not afraid, nor did he find their attire bizarre. Rather, he leaned in mischievously as he always had and reached for the man’s hand.
Shen Liangsheng did not seem surprised, either, and took Ch’in Ching’s hand before leading him forward along the path.
Under the blinding summer sun, they walked side by side until the end of this mile, and they would keep going –
Whence they had come.
Till the end of time."
Even in death did they never even part.
The way I’m sobbing right now—the utter sadness from this bittersweet ending. When I finished the prequel, I never expected the sequel to unfold like this. The plot wasn’t overly complicated, yet it felt so real.
These two men lived through two lifetimes, enduring countless hardships. Their first ended in tragedy. Ch’in Ching (Qin Jing, in correct pinyin) even dreamt in his second life of the pain Shen Liangsheng carried after Qin Jing left him in their first life.
Their second life was shaped by the harsh realities of wars and decades of change. Those changes reflected real struggles faced by countless people between the 1940s and 1980s—families falling from riches and mansions into cramped homes, surviving on congee, cornbread, and tea. And yet, it was in these simpler, harsher times that the couple found their happiest moments together.
Reading their journey felt like walking through an entire lifetime with them. Though conflict separated them for a time, their reunion gave us fifty heartfelt pages of them growing old together.
During this second life, Shen Liangsheng, like in the first life, was the same prideful and a somewhat manipulative and toxic person. However, in the second, he learned and changed. Which, to me, that's all that mattered. He learned to let go of many mundane and toxic traits, deciding to finally put Qin Jing first. It took him a minute, but he got there. I did find myself laughing when I would comment on something and instantly the author would reidutate my comment into writing.
I.e: "Don't be such a prideful idiot! Ugh!!" Then the author proceeds to call him a prideful idiot. 😂 Lol
Shen Liangsheng learned to respect Qin Jing and his decisions. He decided to sacrifice all he had so he could at least have the one thing he wanted: Qin Jing. It worked out because Qin Jing wanted him, too. It was sweet how you see that change. When Shen Liangsheng couldn't do so in his first life, it resulted in a tragic ending.
Beware of spoilers from here: ⚠️
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I never imagined I would read a danmei so deeply bittersweet—one that portrays illness, aging, and death with such raw, yet peaceful emotions.
Till Death Do Us Part is the perfect title for an ending like this: one where they never part, but instead walk hand in hand into the afterlife—and perhaps even into the one after that—together.
"I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death."
"Ch’in Ching was not afraid, nor did he find their attire bizarre. Rather, he leaned in mischievously as he always had and reached for the man’s hand.
Shen Liangsheng did not seem surprised, either, and took Ch’in Ching’s hand before leading him forward along the path.
Under the blinding summer sun, they walked side by side until the end of this mile, and they would keep going –
Whence they had come.
Till the end of time."
Even in death did they never even part.
The way I’m sobbing right now—the utter sadness from this bittersweet ending. When I finished the prequel, I never expected the sequel to unfold like this. The plot wasn’t overly complicated, yet it felt so real.
These two men lived through two lifetimes, enduring countless hardships. Their first ended in tragedy. Ch’in Ching (Qin Jing, in correct pinyin) even dreamt in his second life of the pain Shen Liangsheng carried after Qin Jing left him in their first life.
Their second life was shaped by the harsh realities of wars and decades of change. Those changes reflected real struggles faced by countless people between the 1940s and 1980s—families falling from riches and mansions into cramped homes, surviving on congee, cornbread, and tea. And yet, it was in these simpler, harsher times that the couple found their happiest moments together.
Reading their journey felt like walking through an entire lifetime with them. Though conflict separated them for a time, their reunion gave us fifty heartfelt pages of them growing old together.
During this second life, Shen Liangsheng, like in the first life, was the same prideful and a somewhat manipulative and toxic person. However, in the second, he learned and changed. Which, to me, that's all that mattered. He learned to let go of many mundane and toxic traits, deciding to finally put Qin Jing first. It took him a minute, but he got there. I did find myself laughing when I would comment on something and instantly the author would reidutate my comment into writing.
I.e: "Don't be such a prideful idiot! Ugh!!" Then the author proceeds to call him a prideful idiot. 😂 Lol
Shen Liangsheng learned to respect Qin Jing and his decisions. He decided to sacrifice all he had so he could at least have the one thing he wanted: Qin Jing. It worked out because Qin Jing wanted him, too. It was sweet how you see that change. When Shen Liangsheng couldn't do so in his first life, it resulted in a tragic ending.
Beware of spoilers from here: ⚠️
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
I never imagined I would read a danmei so deeply bittersweet—one that portrays illness, aging, and death with such raw, yet peaceful emotions.
Till Death Do Us Part is the perfect title for an ending like this: one where they never part, but instead walk hand in hand into the afterlife—and perhaps even into the one after that—together.
"I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death."
December 26, 2025
✰ 3.25 stars ✰
A bittersweet tender love story that transpires over a course of post-WWII China's political unrest and emotional upheaval, tinged with this aching remembrance of a lifetime once lived that defines what it means to hold on to someone Till Death Do Us Part. 🤍🩵
But, maybe I wanted more hints towards Ch'in Ching and Shen Liangsheng's fateful past, not just the subtle nods of reincarnation. 🥺 Maybe it would have given a more meaningful depth to their dynamic of until we meet again. It would have explained how instantly drawn they were to each other, the gratuitous and rather adventurous nature of the sexual intimacies they partook in; which wasn't entirely distasteful, because...
“it almost felt like fate; this world full of evanescence and meaninglessness suddenly went quiet, and when he looked up, it was him.”
I liked Shen Liangsheng a little bit more here. Despite how his pursuit in Ch'in Ching, a simple amiable schoolteacher, was unnerving - even if it fits his personality as a charismatic playboy - his feelings towards him felt more grounded, with a soft edge to them that allowed his own maturity growth to feel more impactful and sincere. 🫶🏻🫶🏻 That his desire for this amicable and amenable schoolteacher was more than just lust, but love.
For through the unpredictable social hardships and political ordeals they faced amidst the changing tide of cultural expectations, their connection blossomed and their romance heightened into one that felt believable and real. 🫂 'I will take good care of you, and we’ll stay like this until the end, yes?' A slow rekindling of a burning flame that slowly became a fluttering light of heartfelt warmth that was their quiet, but affectionate love.
“What do you want me to say?”
“Say you want this.”
What he wrote in his hand was – I want to kiss you.”
Aided by the well written fan translation that captured their romance with poetic and vivid touches. It reached my heart with how -- not quite evocative, but certainly expressive. 🥹 Beautiful passages of confessing one's longing and desire for the other that swayed the romantic that I am. The carefully curated footnotes, along with the deliberate care to portray the author's words as poignantly as possible also made for a very smooth reading experience.
Despite how the sequel did not elicit quite the visceral reaction I would have liked, at the final moment, there is no doubt that they were truly soulmates, intended for each other, even before they realized. It's a slow dawning, but when it arrives, the sacrifices, the angst, the yearning, the confessions, it hits just how much Ch'in Ching had always been the one for Shen Liangsheng, that their hearts had always belonged to each other. 🪷
“I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.”
“I love you. I can’t leave, but I will love you and you only for the rest of my life. No matter where you might be, no matter where I might be, I will remember you every day I am alive and miss you forever and always.”
A bittersweet tender love story that transpires over a course of post-WWII China's political unrest and emotional upheaval, tinged with this aching remembrance of a lifetime once lived that defines what it means to hold on to someone Till Death Do Us Part. 🤍🩵
But, maybe I wanted more hints towards Ch'in Ching and Shen Liangsheng's fateful past, not just the subtle nods of reincarnation. 🥺 Maybe it would have given a more meaningful depth to their dynamic of until we meet again. It would have explained how instantly drawn they were to each other, the gratuitous and rather adventurous nature of the sexual intimacies they partook in; which wasn't entirely distasteful, because...
“it almost felt like fate; this world full of evanescence and meaninglessness suddenly went quiet, and when he looked up, it was him.”
I liked Shen Liangsheng a little bit more here. Despite how his pursuit in Ch'in Ching, a simple amiable schoolteacher, was unnerving - even if it fits his personality as a charismatic playboy - his feelings towards him felt more grounded, with a soft edge to them that allowed his own maturity growth to feel more impactful and sincere. 🫶🏻🫶🏻 That his desire for this amicable and amenable schoolteacher was more than just lust, but love.
For through the unpredictable social hardships and political ordeals they faced amidst the changing tide of cultural expectations, their connection blossomed and their romance heightened into one that felt believable and real. 🫂 'I will take good care of you, and we’ll stay like this until the end, yes?' A slow rekindling of a burning flame that slowly became a fluttering light of heartfelt warmth that was their quiet, but affectionate love.
“What do you want me to say?”
“Say you want this.”
What he wrote in his hand was – I want to kiss you.”
Aided by the well written fan translation that captured their romance with poetic and vivid touches. It reached my heart with how -- not quite evocative, but certainly expressive. 🥹 Beautiful passages of confessing one's longing and desire for the other that swayed the romantic that I am. The carefully curated footnotes, along with the deliberate care to portray the author's words as poignantly as possible also made for a very smooth reading experience.
Despite how the sequel did not elicit quite the visceral reaction I would have liked, at the final moment, there is no doubt that they were truly soulmates, intended for each other, even before they realized. It's a slow dawning, but when it arrives, the sacrifices, the angst, the yearning, the confessions, it hits just how much Ch'in Ching had always been the one for Shen Liangsheng, that their hearts had always belonged to each other. 🪷
“I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.”
January 26, 2024
I’d prefer the story to end when China won the war, but okay, I guess this is more suitable for a book titled “Till Death Do Us (still not) Part”.
Ngl I struggled through the story after that point cause it suddenly changed into a much slower pace and a “summarized, tell-don’t-show” writing style. But in the end the whole journey is still worth it.
Ngl I struggled through the story after that point cause it suddenly changed into a much slower pace and a “summarized, tell-don’t-show” writing style. But in the end the whole journey is still worth it.
November 15, 2020
Make sure to read the prequel, Living to Suffer, first, have your heart broken into thousand pieces, and then come here to heal your soul.
September 23, 2022
best book I’ve read this year
August 25, 2021
Actual rating: 4,5/5
As long as they had each other, hands joined together, they had nothing to fear.
Neither reading the prequel nor having a degree in East Asian history and knowing exactly what happened in China early and mid 20th century, prepared me for this and I bawled my eyes out by the end regardless.
This novel took a while to start moving properly but once it got going, it really got going. This book must be a masterpiece in Chinese since even for a fan translation this was extremely well done and conveyed so much nuance, poetry references cultural aspects.
The story moves very fast as it is not all that long and spans a very long time. However, this gives us the chance to see how much the surroundings, political as well as social, do change and how they affect our protagonists.
The plot and writing are certainly better developed than its prequel Living to Suffer (though I have a soft spot for that one too). While it is still extremely fast paced and I wanted even more detail, it fits the story the author tells and achieves what they appear to have set out to achieve. This is a novel I would like to see appreciated for its cultural value. That might sound cheesy and while a lot of the big danmei novels are surprisingly rich in their social commentary, this novel tries to show us what life for two men living together could have been like during this time period and how political changes might have affected their daily lives (regardless of them being two men). Props to the translators for their extensive footnotes explaining all the cultural, historical and political detail and providing links for further information!
As mentioned just above, my biggest issue however is that the story loses a bit of its depth due to its extremely fast pacing. I would have wished for a few more moments to just sit with the reactions the protagonists had to some of the truly horrific things that happen to them.
Also, the tie-ins to the prequel were extremely well handled. They were neither too on the nose or pretentious, nor is it necessary to read the prequel to understand this novel. They simply provided some little insights that added to the story. In my opinion, it doesn't matter which one you read first.
For most people, the central part of the story is the romance. That was also the reason I picked this novel up before I realised it had much more to offer than that. The romance is great and feels very realistic. Our protagonists must fight for their relationship, just mutually acknowledging attraction does not always guarantee an immediate happy ending and this is very well depicted here. In fact, both realise that maybe the life that they had planned is not going to happen and undergo significant character development before we finally end on that last scene. That last scene!!!
Also, the title is a lie. I'm just going to leave that here.
As long as they had each other, hands joined together, they had nothing to fear.
Neither reading the prequel nor having a degree in East Asian history and knowing exactly what happened in China early and mid 20th century, prepared me for this and I bawled my eyes out by the end regardless.
This novel took a while to start moving properly but once it got going, it really got going. This book must be a masterpiece in Chinese since even for a fan translation this was extremely well done and conveyed so much nuance, poetry references cultural aspects.
The story moves very fast as it is not all that long and spans a very long time. However, this gives us the chance to see how much the surroundings, political as well as social, do change and how they affect our protagonists.
The plot and writing are certainly better developed than its prequel Living to Suffer (though I have a soft spot for that one too). While it is still extremely fast paced and I wanted even more detail, it fits the story the author tells and achieves what they appear to have set out to achieve. This is a novel I would like to see appreciated for its cultural value. That might sound cheesy and while a lot of the big danmei novels are surprisingly rich in their social commentary, this novel tries to show us what life for two men living together could have been like during this time period and how political changes might have affected their daily lives (regardless of them being two men). Props to the translators for their extensive footnotes explaining all the cultural, historical and political detail and providing links for further information!
As mentioned just above, my biggest issue however is that the story loses a bit of its depth due to its extremely fast pacing. I would have wished for a few more moments to just sit with the reactions the protagonists had to some of the truly horrific things that happen to them.
Also, the tie-ins to the prequel were extremely well handled. They were neither too on the nose or pretentious, nor is it necessary to read the prequel to understand this novel. They simply provided some little insights that added to the story. In my opinion, it doesn't matter which one you read first.
For most people, the central part of the story is the romance. That was also the reason I picked this novel up before I realised it had much more to offer than that. The romance is great and feels very realistic. Our protagonists must fight for their relationship, just mutually acknowledging attraction does not always guarantee an immediate happy ending and this is very well depicted here. In fact, both realise that maybe the life that they had planned is not going to happen and undergo significant character development before we finally end on that last scene. That last scene!!!
Also, the title is a lie. I'm just going to leave that here.
September 23, 2023
Wow. I am not okay.
The final chapters are a tear fest, be warned.
This is not my first book by this author - I read this one's prequel first, and really liked it as well - so I kind of knew what to expect. Explicit sex scenes, very well written but quite graphic (not to everyone's taste) emotional immaturity on the part of both protagonists, a passion for each other that - albeit they might not even want to admit to themselves - is larger than life, all this I expected and was kind of ready for it. But where Living to Suffer is brutal (even emotionally) Till Death Do Us Part is not. until you reach the final chapters. There's a sweetness to this novel, in this tale, within these two characters that moved me far more than in the prequel, also because the novel being longer, the characters are more fully developed and the reader gets to really know them well. The fact it's set in what must be the most horrific period of China's history also helps to add layers of growth and evolution to the characters' personalities, a direct result of the love they feel and the times they live in. I was tremendously invested in this novel from the start, the writing is so very good, the way it kindles and evoques emotional responses in the reader is so well done, I had a bit of a hard time putting it down in favour of other books while i was reading it. Easy five stars, from me, I adored this one.
The final chapters are a tear fest, be warned.
This is not my first book by this author - I read this one's prequel first, and really liked it as well - so I kind of knew what to expect. Explicit sex scenes, very well written but quite graphic (not to everyone's taste) emotional immaturity on the part of both protagonists, a passion for each other that - albeit they might not even want to admit to themselves - is larger than life, all this I expected and was kind of ready for it. But where Living to Suffer is brutal (even emotionally) Till Death Do Us Part is not. until you reach the final chapters. There's a sweetness to this novel, in this tale, within these two characters that moved me far more than in the prequel, also because the novel being longer, the characters are more fully developed and the reader gets to really know them well. The fact it's set in what must be the most horrific period of China's history also helps to add layers of growth and evolution to the characters' personalities, a direct result of the love they feel and the times they live in. I was tremendously invested in this novel from the start, the writing is so very good, the way it kindles and evoques emotional responses in the reader is so well done, I had a bit of a hard time putting it down in favour of other books while i was reading it. Easy five stars, from me, I adored this one.
February 28, 2021
One of the most beautiful light novels I have ever read, and it made my heart hurt so much that my husband hugged me when he saw me bawling my eyes out. For those who like happy endings, this is feel-good, don't worry. Just that the delivery is bordering melancholic.
The story starts off in the late 1930s, just before World War II broke out. Foreign-educated businessman/playboy Shen Liangsheng sees the timid teacher Ch’in Ching for the first time and was suddenly possessed by an urge to know more. Apparently, these two were reincarnated loves from the author's previous novel. But what really compelled me to lose sleep with every chapter was how vividly described the environment and events were. I know what happened on my side of the world during WWII, that was taught in school. But I had to Google pictures and information for that part of Asia, and I highly appreciate novels that could lead me to tangential learning. The couple survives WWII, a flood, a civil war, and so many other political and economic changes throughout history. For a nerd like me, this has been a thoroughly captivating experience. I will just find some non-fiction material first to pass the time while savoring the memories, before I pick up the prequel.
The story starts off in the late 1930s, just before World War II broke out. Foreign-educated businessman/playboy Shen Liangsheng sees the timid teacher Ch’in Ching for the first time and was suddenly possessed by an urge to know more. Apparently, these two were reincarnated loves from the author's previous novel. But what really compelled me to lose sleep with every chapter was how vividly described the environment and events were. I know what happened on my side of the world during WWII, that was taught in school. But I had to Google pictures and information for that part of Asia, and I highly appreciate novels that could lead me to tangential learning. The couple survives WWII, a flood, a civil war, and so many other political and economic changes throughout history. For a nerd like me, this has been a thoroughly captivating experience. I will just find some non-fiction material first to pass the time while savoring the memories, before I pick up the prequel.
September 30, 2022
The story is so beautiful I would count this as a danmei classic. The start was so fluffy and sweet like cotton candy but I know the cotton candy won’t stay fluffy forever. I took my time reading the first half of the novel, not missing a word, enjoying the sweetness and of course, the smuttiness.
But as much as I wanted to stay in candy land, I still had to move forward. My heart was in so much pain and sadness while reading the later half of the novel; especially as it reminded me of how my grandfather lived in China before. He had told me several stories and by reading this, I can understand it more clearly on how hard it was for the people of that time. I’ve held back my tears while reading but I just couldn’t with the last chapter. My tears suddenly poured out uncontrollably. Fortunately, the ending wasn’t as sad as Living To Suffer. The grief shall pass.
But as much as I wanted to stay in candy land, I still had to move forward. My heart was in so much pain and sadness while reading the later half of the novel; especially as it reminded me of how my grandfather lived in China before. He had told me several stories and by reading this, I can understand it more clearly on how hard it was for the people of that time. I’ve held back my tears while reading but I just couldn’t with the last chapter. My tears suddenly poured out uncontrollably. Fortunately, the ending wasn’t as sad as Living To Suffer. The grief shall pass.
February 2, 2024
TDDUP moved me a lot. It is amazing how a 27 chapters novel can have so many layers! If you are looking for comfort, don't pick this novel. While we can say it has a happy ending, it will surely leave a bittersweet taste in your mouth. But if you like stories that will mess up with your emotions, this one will certainly accomplish the task.
I did not read the prequel, as I was told both stories stand independently. Although there are moments clearly referencing the couple's past life (from the prequel), the narrative remains perfectly understandable.
It is a historical novel set in 20th century China, a period usually overlooked by danmei novels, that tend to prefer ancient China settings. TDDUP takes us in a historical trip through imperialistic occupational in China, Japanese invasion, civil war between nationalists and communists, the Chinese revolution, the cultural revolution, the reopening... I feel I have learned quite a lot about life in China during this period.
I would say TDDUP is a treaty on the unpredictability of love and how it can transform people. I picked it after seeing a thread in Twitter about short danmei, and since I was already reading something else, I thought it would be a good idea to read a short story in parallel. But I never imagined it would make me feel so many things. In the begging, because of the many, many chapters tagged as NSFW, I thought it would mostly be porn with plot, but this would not make justice to the novel. Yes, there is quite a lot of smut (about half of the chapters, maybe?) but it is not out of tone and certainly not repetitive. Even the ways they engage in bed show us the character's feelings and the progressive changes in such feelings.
From this point on, I won't avoid spoilers, so don't continue if you want to keep the surprises!!
Shen Liangsheng is a manipulative asshole that treats his relationship in a very instrumental way. He is also convinced that he is in control of his feelings, so it is really delightful to watch him becoming helplessly attached to Ch’in Ching. Every detail in the novel helps us understand his shift from a greedy son of a bitch to someone who would sacrifice his ambition and even his comfortable life for the possibility of being by the side of the man he loves. Such changes do not occur all of a sudden, which make them very convincing. His father last words surely moved him: they were words of regret for not having pursued the woman he loved. Despite of all the suffering in his life, Shen Liangsheng died with no regrets, and feeling a lifetime with Ch’in Ching was the best thing he could have chosen.
Most authors would choose to finish the novel in chapter 25, when they were still young, horny and finally realized they couldn't live without each other. But we had no "happy ever after" in this novel. The author showed us in a brilliant way the struggles of both men to be together during a time of political and social turbulence in China. Having each other, they could face anything: poverty, political persecution, earthquake, sickness... All they needed was each other, until they got old, untill death did them part. Watching them growing old together was the thing that moved me the most in this novel, maybe because I myself am feeling the weight of time lately. Aging is surely a taboo in romances, since the degradation of life is melancholic in may ways. But in TDDUP, this process was melancholicaly beautiful.
I did not read the prequel, as I was told both stories stand independently. Although there are moments clearly referencing the couple's past life (from the prequel), the narrative remains perfectly understandable.
It is a historical novel set in 20th century China, a period usually overlooked by danmei novels, that tend to prefer ancient China settings. TDDUP takes us in a historical trip through imperialistic occupational in China, Japanese invasion, civil war between nationalists and communists, the Chinese revolution, the cultural revolution, the reopening... I feel I have learned quite a lot about life in China during this period.
I would say TDDUP is a treaty on the unpredictability of love and how it can transform people. I picked it after seeing a thread in Twitter about short danmei, and since I was already reading something else, I thought it would be a good idea to read a short story in parallel. But I never imagined it would make me feel so many things. In the begging, because of the many, many chapters tagged as NSFW, I thought it would mostly be porn with plot, but this would not make justice to the novel. Yes, there is quite a lot of smut (about half of the chapters, maybe?) but it is not out of tone and certainly not repetitive. Even the ways they engage in bed show us the character's feelings and the progressive changes in such feelings.
From this point on, I won't avoid spoilers, so don't continue if you want to keep the surprises!!
Shen Liangsheng is a manipulative asshole that treats his relationship in a very instrumental way. He is also convinced that he is in control of his feelings, so it is really delightful to watch him becoming helplessly attached to Ch’in Ching. Every detail in the novel helps us understand his shift from a greedy son of a bitch to someone who would sacrifice his ambition and even his comfortable life for the possibility of being by the side of the man he loves. Such changes do not occur all of a sudden, which make them very convincing. His father last words surely moved him: they were words of regret for not having pursued the woman he loved. Despite of all the suffering in his life, Shen Liangsheng died with no regrets, and feeling a lifetime with Ch’in Ching was the best thing he could have chosen.
Most authors would choose to finish the novel in chapter 25, when they were still young, horny and finally realized they couldn't live without each other. But we had no "happy ever after" in this novel. The author showed us in a brilliant way the struggles of both men to be together during a time of political and social turbulence in China. Having each other, they could face anything: poverty, political persecution, earthquake, sickness... All they needed was each other, until they got old, untill death did them part. Watching them growing old together was the thing that moved me the most in this novel, maybe because I myself am feeling the weight of time lately. Aging is surely a taboo in romances, since the degradation of life is melancholic in may ways. But in TDDUP, this process was melancholicaly beautiful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2024
My god does my heart ache. This has a happy ending but it made me feel So Much - it’s always the slice of life novels that get me honestly.
Compared to the first novel, Living to Suffer, Till Death Do Us Part is a much more mature work by the author, in the sense that the characters and their development, the pacing and overall feel of the story are more fleshed out and well written.
In this lifetime, Shen Liangsheng (MC) was the one pursuing Ch’in Ching (ML). Their personalities and upbringing are vastly different from their first lives and I was grateful that the author didn’t have them remember their previous lives after meeting each other in the current life, because it meant that they could start off with a clean slate without the memories of the past influencing their judgement or feelings for each other.
My favourite aspect of the story is definitely the character and relationship development. SLS was a young master when he first met CC, and he thought that he merely fancied CC and that even if their relationship was fleeting, it wouldn’t matter to him. But time spent with CC proved him wrong and he grew fond of CC. Likewise, although CC told himself that he would take things one day at a time and accept it if their relationship ended, he still went ahead and fell in love with SLS first. The angst as they grew older and figured out their relationship and feelings for each other was absolutely top tier for me. Not only that, the author did a fantastic job with writing the nuances of their relationship and how the changes in their circumstances forced them apart and brought them back together again, how life forced them to change but still the feelings they had for each other remained the same.
Their relationship underwent a rather tumultuous journey at first but as they grew older they realised the things that were important to them. When they were in their 20s, they were both men with their own ideals and principles, and with the war that arrived, suddenly they found themselves incompatible. In their 30s, both realised that they couldn’t and didn’t want to live without the other so they became people who learned how to compromise, because as long as they had each other nothing else mattered. In their 40s and beyond, their relationship had solidified and stabilised but it was the unrest and instability their country experienced that brought them hardships. Even so, they had each other and friends who cared about them, so they were left relatively unscathed in the end, which was such a relief because I was constantly worried that something would suddenly happen and tear them apart.
What SLS and CC have is complete love and devotion for each other, and I really liked how their relationship developed over the decades they spent together because it was interesting to see how much of their relationship changed and stayed the same. Their dynamic was also good - I liked SLS and CC took care of each other in different ways, and their banter kept things fun and lighthearted for the most part. There was so much warmth in their love, they could be doing mundane things together and it would feel special for both of them, content as they were just to be with each other. Every moment spent together was a moment cherished and they were grateful for each and every one.
The prose is beautiful with a simplicity that reflects the relationship that SLS and CC had. In the end, they were just two men who were grateful for the lives they shared together.
Compared to the first novel, Living to Suffer, Till Death Do Us Part is a much more mature work by the author, in the sense that the characters and their development, the pacing and overall feel of the story are more fleshed out and well written.
In this lifetime, Shen Liangsheng (MC) was the one pursuing Ch’in Ching (ML). Their personalities and upbringing are vastly different from their first lives and I was grateful that the author didn’t have them remember their previous lives after meeting each other in the current life, because it meant that they could start off with a clean slate without the memories of the past influencing their judgement or feelings for each other.
My favourite aspect of the story is definitely the character and relationship development. SLS was a young master when he first met CC, and he thought that he merely fancied CC and that even if their relationship was fleeting, it wouldn’t matter to him. But time spent with CC proved him wrong and he grew fond of CC. Likewise, although CC told himself that he would take things one day at a time and accept it if their relationship ended, he still went ahead and fell in love with SLS first. The angst as they grew older and figured out their relationship and feelings for each other was absolutely top tier for me. Not only that, the author did a fantastic job with writing the nuances of their relationship and how the changes in their circumstances forced them apart and brought them back together again, how life forced them to change but still the feelings they had for each other remained the same.
Their relationship underwent a rather tumultuous journey at first but as they grew older they realised the things that were important to them. When they were in their 20s, they were both men with their own ideals and principles, and with the war that arrived, suddenly they found themselves incompatible. In their 30s, both realised that they couldn’t and didn’t want to live without the other so they became people who learned how to compromise, because as long as they had each other nothing else mattered. In their 40s and beyond, their relationship had solidified and stabilised but it was the unrest and instability their country experienced that brought them hardships. Even so, they had each other and friends who cared about them, so they were left relatively unscathed in the end, which was such a relief because I was constantly worried that something would suddenly happen and tear them apart.
What SLS and CC have is complete love and devotion for each other, and I really liked how their relationship developed over the decades they spent together because it was interesting to see how much of their relationship changed and stayed the same. Their dynamic was also good - I liked SLS and CC took care of each other in different ways, and their banter kept things fun and lighthearted for the most part. There was so much warmth in their love, they could be doing mundane things together and it would feel special for both of them, content as they were just to be with each other. Every moment spent together was a moment cherished and they were grateful for each and every one.
The prose is beautiful with a simplicity that reflects the relationship that SLS and CC had. In the end, they were just two men who were grateful for the lives they shared together.
December 2, 2021
literally so beautiful, so well written. so tragic yet so satisfying. i havent finished the precuel (it wasnt that good) but still, knowing the dynamic they used to have, this book gets even better. and so heartbreaking.
i literally got so emotional towards the end, because after all, they stayed together through every hardship. they had to give up so many things, important things. they got to grew older together, and loved each other every moment of their lives.
every scene they have together is so full of chemistry, complex emotions, beautifully written descriptions and a lot domesticity.
all the descriptions and references to the chinese city is set on, and the time period are carefully written and, even though i could've appreciated it more if i knew more about that period, i still loved it. even appreciating the way seasons and the pass of time were described, it sets a concrete mood in the settings of the novel.
my favourite book ever. i get so many feels eveey time i read some pasages. and the last chapter always makes me cry.
i cant even explain how much i love this book, and 5 stars are far from enough.
i literally got so emotional towards the end, because after all, they stayed together through every hardship. they had to give up so many things, important things. they got to grew older together, and loved each other every moment of their lives.
every scene they have together is so full of chemistry, complex emotions, beautifully written descriptions and a lot domesticity.
all the descriptions and references to the chinese city is set on, and the time period are carefully written and, even though i could've appreciated it more if i knew more about that period, i still loved it. even appreciating the way seasons and the pass of time were described, it sets a concrete mood in the settings of the novel.
my favourite book ever. i get so many feels eveey time i read some pasages. and the last chapter always makes me cry.
i cant even explain how much i love this book, and 5 stars are far from enough.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2021
"Not only would they be each other's companion, they would be each other's parents, brother, and child; they would be all of the most intimate of relationships to each other. And together they would stay till death did them apart."
I loved reading this novel and I loved finally understanding what the title meant. It's a book that makes your heart clench and your chest hurt because of the anticipation you keep feeling while reading it. Very interesting and deep characters.
The only thing I would complain about it is the amount of sex scenes - every chapter aside from the last ones had it -, and I'm not saying I don't like it, it's just that it wasn't entirely necessary. The plot gets deeper from the middle, and I wish it had that tone since the beginning.
I loved reading this novel and I loved finally understanding what the title meant. It's a book that makes your heart clench and your chest hurt because of the anticipation you keep feeling while reading it. Very interesting and deep characters.
The only thing I would complain about it is the amount of sex scenes - every chapter aside from the last ones had it -, and I'm not saying I don't like it, it's just that it wasn't entirely necessary. The plot gets deeper from the middle, and I wish it had that tone since the beginning.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2024
I liked the first few chapters of the book. The story felt original to me, and the main characters were interesting. However, too many sex scenes ruined the mood, honestly. It’s my fault; I should have checked the tags.
January 17, 2022
Now, when I say this, I speak for both the prequel and TDDUP-
I haven't read a book so investing and so incredibly wrecking yet gorgeously woven despite being so short.
The prose invokes in the readers a sense of dread that they cannot escape from but also ironically makes them anticipate what's to come and consume them.
I never delved into Chinese history, its legacy, or its past suffering (ignoring the little information we are fed in school), and though TDDUP is more romance and angst and less politics and history, it was thought-provoking and educating, making it a worthwhile read. I cannot praise the author enough for how incredible they were at their job, and I am at a loss trying to figure out how the translator managed to give us such a fantastic piece of work with no loss of its original essence (even if there was a loss, this book couldn't have been translated any better IMO).
This book was too hot and racy for a good portion of many chapters, which could have been replaced with some drama or plot instead, but even that was so well written that I cannot complain. But I do, in the back of my mind, wish the story was longer, not because I didn't want the book to end, but because the characters were so well written that they had the potential to have more to their names than just lovers (but that doesn't make this any less of a read).
The author knew how to stab us in the heart and heal it just to stomp on it again. They were a total sadist but also a savior, and I want to worship them- .....
Ahem... coming back to the point, the story itself is filled with romance and more romance. So if you are here for a more dramatic plot, I still suggest you give this a shot for the experience of it (mainly because the last few chapters are a bit of a thrill when reading). I cannot for the life of me think of any plot holes that I could have possibly come across, but a book cannot exist without its drawbacks, and this one is no exception. There were parts in the story that I wished happened differently or didn't happen at all, for the sake of morality, but the story's writer is their own person and is free to express what they want, and I wouldn't read this book any other way.
The pacing of the book was a bit rough. It was by no means slow but was a bit too speedy at some places. Despite being a HE, it is still quite a tragic read, and the book should come with a 'Will lead to overuse of tissues' warning.
I would say 'it's your loss' if one decides not to give this book a go, but that's also because I am incredibly biased.
I haven't read a book so investing and so incredibly wrecking yet gorgeously woven despite being so short.
The prose invokes in the readers a sense of dread that they cannot escape from but also ironically makes them anticipate what's to come and consume them.
I never delved into Chinese history, its legacy, or its past suffering (ignoring the little information we are fed in school), and though TDDUP is more romance and angst and less politics and history, it was thought-provoking and educating, making it a worthwhile read. I cannot praise the author enough for how incredible they were at their job, and I am at a loss trying to figure out how the translator managed to give us such a fantastic piece of work with no loss of its original essence (even if there was a loss, this book couldn't have been translated any better IMO).
This book was too hot and racy for a good portion of many chapters, which could have been replaced with some drama or plot instead, but even that was so well written that I cannot complain. But I do, in the back of my mind, wish the story was longer, not because I didn't want the book to end, but because the characters were so well written that they had the potential to have more to their names than just lovers (but that doesn't make this any less of a read).
The author knew how to stab us in the heart and heal it just to stomp on it again. They were a total sadist but also a savior, and I want to worship them- .....
Ahem... coming back to the point, the story itself is filled with romance and more romance. So if you are here for a more dramatic plot, I still suggest you give this a shot for the experience of it (mainly because the last few chapters are a bit of a thrill when reading). I cannot for the life of me think of any plot holes that I could have possibly come across, but a book cannot exist without its drawbacks, and this one is no exception. There were parts in the story that I wished happened differently or didn't happen at all, for the sake of morality, but the story's writer is their own person and is free to express what they want, and I wouldn't read this book any other way.
The pacing of the book was a bit rough. It was by no means slow but was a bit too speedy at some places. Despite being a HE, it is still quite a tragic read, and the book should come with a 'Will lead to overuse of tissues' warning.
I would say 'it's your loss' if one decides not to give this book a go, but that's also because I am incredibly biased.
May 1, 2023
Rating: 5/5 - I definitely cried again but it’s always good to clean out your tear ducts.
I read this directly after reading the prequel, Living to Suffer, and whilst it added to the effect of the whole story, you can still enjoy this book without having read it.
It’s a wonderful read but I really felt pained in my heart during these 27 chapters. It’s painful because of how realistic their lives were and what China and its people went through during those strife filled years. Also the entire time since chapter 3 I kept waiting for the shoe drop coz it always felt like they were destined to be unhappy.
I was relieved that the unhappiness wasn’t prolonged and they got the change to redeem their past lives and discover love the way it should be. Through their ups and downs and until their very ends.
I greatly enjoyed both novels, but I probably won’t ever re-read this one again due to how painful the experience was.
I also enjoyed both lead’s characters in this book, but whether I became attached or not, is yet to be known as I’m unsure myself. Although in an unexpected turn of events, I actually enjoyed the character depiction more in LTS, although they had their meritorious characters in this book too.
SPOILER ALERT!
I liked the ending of this novel as well. Although the title seems unfitting for the ending for it felt like even death could not part them- which is my complete idea of what love really is. Call me a romantic or unrealistic or whatever, but if one truly falls in love with their soulmate; death and rebirth won’t keep you from one another. I believe in that wholeheartedly.
Overall this sequel and it’s prequel are must reads and it’s worth the pain at the end of the day. Again, beautifully written and descriptive and poetic storytelling that wrenches the heart and dampens your eyes.
I read this directly after reading the prequel, Living to Suffer, and whilst it added to the effect of the whole story, you can still enjoy this book without having read it.
It’s a wonderful read but I really felt pained in my heart during these 27 chapters. It’s painful because of how realistic their lives were and what China and its people went through during those strife filled years. Also the entire time since chapter 3 I kept waiting for the shoe drop coz it always felt like they were destined to be unhappy.
I was relieved that the unhappiness wasn’t prolonged and they got the change to redeem their past lives and discover love the way it should be. Through their ups and downs and until their very ends.
I greatly enjoyed both novels, but I probably won’t ever re-read this one again due to how painful the experience was.
I also enjoyed both lead’s characters in this book, but whether I became attached or not, is yet to be known as I’m unsure myself. Although in an unexpected turn of events, I actually enjoyed the character depiction more in LTS, although they had their meritorious characters in this book too.
SPOILER ALERT!
I liked the ending of this novel as well. Although the title seems unfitting for the ending for it felt like even death could not part them- which is my complete idea of what love really is. Call me a romantic or unrealistic or whatever, but if one truly falls in love with their soulmate; death and rebirth won’t keep you from one another. I believe in that wholeheartedly.
Overall this sequel and it’s prequel are must reads and it’s worth the pain at the end of the day. Again, beautifully written and descriptive and poetic storytelling that wrenches the heart and dampens your eyes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2021
You won't regret reading this story is all I can say. For me, it's so beautiful and bittersweet.. Loved the characters and the writing of the author.
Sometimes, it's easy to realize that things like love, true love, take time. This is exactly what this book is about. The time to realize that what they want is each other.
You can read this one with the knowledge of the previous book (Living to Suffer ) which I highly recomend or without it. If you read it with knowing who Chi'in Ching and Shen Liangsheng are, then you will finally see what fate lies in store for two of them, whose fates were dictated from the beginning to the end of their lives. This time, join them on their journey of rediscovering what it truly means falling in love and what sacrifices have to be made in order to be together.
Sometimes, it's easy to realize that things like love, true love, take time. This is exactly what this book is about. The time to realize that what they want is each other.
" Yet, he had the strange feeling again that he was lost in space and time. It was as though he had been blindfolded as he wandered along the path, touching each blade of grass and each tree trunk until his destination, but when he turned around to look back at the way he had come, what he saw was not what he had pictured in his mind's eye."
You can read this one with the knowledge of the previous book (Living to Suffer ) which I highly recomend or without it. If you read it with knowing who Chi'in Ching and Shen Liangsheng are, then you will finally see what fate lies in store for two of them, whose fates were dictated from the beginning to the end of their lives. This time, join them on their journey of rediscovering what it truly means falling in love and what sacrifices have to be made in order to be together.
January 17, 2022
5/5
ABSOLUTE PHENOMENAL, GO FERAL!
The angst is real angst and Tangstory is my favorite author now because the story-telling is so compelling. Calling this novel porn only is a huge disrespect. Just wait till you pass smut chapters, you will be bawling your eyes out with how realistic it gets. It will make you feel like, maybe during the political unrest in China back then, a couple like Ch'in Ching and Shen Liangsheng really did exist. I have no words for how beautiful Tangstory's writing is. Living To Suffer (The Prequel) had more of a poetic writing while this one is absolutely focused on story-telling with smut of course.
ABSOLUTE PHENOMENAL, GO FERAL!
The angst is real angst and Tangstory is my favorite author now because the story-telling is so compelling. Calling this novel porn only is a huge disrespect. Just wait till you pass smut chapters, you will be bawling your eyes out with how realistic it gets. It will make you feel like, maybe during the political unrest in China back then, a couple like Ch'in Ching and Shen Liangsheng really did exist. I have no words for how beautiful Tangstory's writing is. Living To Suffer (The Prequel) had more of a poetic writing while this one is absolutely focused on story-telling with smut of course.
January 9, 2021
If you are looking for the perfect combination of smut and literary masterpiece, of a story about deep lifelong romance and life during the upheavals of 20th century China (ok no one looks for this kind of specific combination but let's ignore this for now), this is for you.
I wish I could've understand all those references better. It is so simple and beautiful written.
But be warned, it is impossible to not cry at the end.
I wish I could've understand all those references better. It is so simple and beautiful written.
But be warned, it is impossible to not cry at the end.
June 11, 2020
I absolutely adore this story, and this author's style. It's so poignant and realistically written, and the charcter dynamics are so fluid and clearly present.
Seeing this couple go through their life together through semi-moden China was absolutely lovely, and this is a must-read for fans of Modern Era Danmei woth a flair for Drama and Tragic Characters ❤
Seeing this couple go through their life together through semi-moden China was absolutely lovely, and this is a must-read for fans of Modern Era Danmei woth a flair for Drama and Tragic Characters ❤
September 22, 2020
My heart hurts this was so so so so so beautiful. I have no words. It’s achingly gorgeous and heart wrenching. The story just break you and puts you back together in a repeated cycle. I feel so connected with these characters and it was only 27 chapters. But it is so raw and passionate that I can’t help but just lay in a puddle of tears.
November 3, 2025
5 stars.! All the stars!! Waterworks. I’ve never cried this much with a book. I’m still crying when writing this. It’s a beautiful story throughout difficult historical times. It was very interesting to learn more about the history of China, and frequently I would catch myself reading about the historical happenings cited in the book
March 26, 2018
I am at loss for words. I am very probably experiencing the so-called "book hangover" right now.
This book is GOOD.
Will be back to more detailed review later.
This book is GOOD.
Will be back to more detailed review later.
December 31, 2023
I cried very hard at the end lol
January 8, 2024
Goodbye to a year of manga, and hello to a new year of chinese novels!
I wasn't expecting a "happy ending" to be quite this painful. This was truly a beautiful series of love and loss and pain.
I wasn't expecting a "happy ending" to be quite this painful. This was truly a beautiful series of love and loss and pain.
April 2, 2021
me ENCANTÓ
Luego de terminarla, habiendo leído también la precuela, confirmo que amo cómo escribe Tangstory.
"It was as though he had loved so much in his last life that he either used up his love for this life or came to fear love and refuse falling in love ever again."
Así como en Living To Suffer, la prosa de la autora se vale de metáforas y alusiones a poemas para traer una historia hermosa y realista.
Ante el escenario de inundaciones, ocupaciones japonesas, una guerra civil y movimientos políticos en la China a mediados de los años 30, leeremos sobre el romance entre Ching y Shen a lo largo de sus vidas.
Como resultado de la increíble narrativa, me sumergí tanto en la historia y conecté con sus personajes tan fácilmente como muy pocas veces me ha pasado con otras novelas.
Tanto así que, para mí, la esencia de la novela radica en la prosa y los personajes.
A diferencia de la precuela, aquí el desarrollo de Shen es más evidente y fácil de ver. En un principio no empatizaba mucho con él, pero a medida que avanzaba la trama no podía evitar amar la transformación del personaje. Y no solo él, también amé a Ching, su personalidad, su forma de pensar, de ver el mundo.
(Btw, me encantó encontrar giños de la precuela ❤️)
El final, y con ese giño༼;´༎ຶ ༎ຶ༽
Yo estaba desecha. No podía para de llorar (y mientras escribo parece que tampoco)
Y no es porque tuviera un SE, de hecho fue HE. Sin embargo, de alguna forma u otra me dolió ver el final del hermoso viaje de Ching y Shen.
Leí su primer encuentro, cómo se conocieron, cómo se enamoraron, su primera vez, el desarrollo de su relación, los altos y bajos que atravesaron, rupturas, crecimiento como personas y vejez; sentí que pasé una vida con ellos.
Una vez más, me encantó, es hermosa, maravillosa, realista, con momentos alegres, encantadores, pasionales, tristes y angustiosos como la vida misma.
Til Death Do Us Part tiene un espacio especial en mi kokoro♡︎
Luego de terminarla, habiendo leído también la precuela, confirmo que amo cómo escribe Tangstory.
"It was as though he had loved so much in his last life that he either used up his love for this life or came to fear love and refuse falling in love ever again."
Así como en Living To Suffer, la prosa de la autora se vale de metáforas y alusiones a poemas para traer una historia hermosa y realista.
Ante el escenario de inundaciones, ocupaciones japonesas, una guerra civil y movimientos políticos en la China a mediados de los años 30, leeremos sobre el romance entre Ching y Shen a lo largo de sus vidas.
Como resultado de la increíble narrativa, me sumergí tanto en la historia y conecté con sus personajes tan fácilmente como muy pocas veces me ha pasado con otras novelas.
Tanto así que, para mí, la esencia de la novela radica en la prosa y los personajes.
A diferencia de la precuela, aquí el desarrollo de Shen es más evidente y fácil de ver. En un principio no empatizaba mucho con él, pero a medida que avanzaba la trama no podía evitar amar la transformación del personaje. Y no solo él, también amé a Ching, su personalidad, su forma de pensar, de ver el mundo.
(Btw, me encantó encontrar giños de la precuela ❤️)
El final, y con ese giño༼;´༎ຶ ༎ຶ༽
Yo estaba desecha. No podía para de llorar (y mientras escribo parece que tampoco)
Y no es porque tuviera un SE, de hecho fue HE. Sin embargo, de alguna forma u otra me dolió ver el final del hermoso viaje de Ching y Shen.
Leí su primer encuentro, cómo se conocieron, cómo se enamoraron, su primera vez, el desarrollo de su relación, los altos y bajos que atravesaron, rupturas, crecimiento como personas y vejez; sentí que pasé una vida con ellos.
Una vez más, me encantó, es hermosa, maravillosa, realista, con momentos alegres, encantadores, pasionales, tristes y angustiosos como la vida misma.
Til Death Do Us Part tiene un espacio especial en mi kokoro♡︎
January 25, 2023
I’m still in tears 😭😭😭 I don’t know how I feel rn 😭😭😭😭 the idea of aging with your loved one is so beautiful yet so heartbreaking.. I was fine till chapter 26 and then chapter 27 happened . I couldn’t stop crying .. I’m still tearing up while writing this review and when liu ying found out her grandpa’s were actually lovers and started crying in the kitchen , I cried too . When Ch’in started telling her a story about how they met and how everything starting coming back to live like a move , Ch’in standing by the road in the crowd , Shen walking up to him… 😭😭😭 ( I was literally crying uncontrollably at this point ) lao-liu walking back home alone and realizing that they’ve been friends for so long that he’s forgotten that they’re lovers and got reminded only when ch’in said “when time comes , I’ll go with him” 😭😭😭 and how memories from when they were young started flowing back, Shen trying to win ch’in , Ch’in trying to act he wasn’t already in love … I’m literally writing this review with blurry eyes 😭😭😭 The story is really beautiful from starting to end . It starts with them young and wild in love and then with them being together through thick and thin going through life and then going to the afterlife together . It was all so beautiful and realistic.
“If I could take your place , I would die for you a thousand times over “ - Ch’in chin
“If I could take your place , I would die for you a thousand times over “ - Ch’in chin
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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