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Bonobo
Bonobo by Jeong Yu-jeong is a speculative fiction novel about a primatologist whose consciousness merges with a bonobo after a car accident, forcing her to experience the world from the animal's perspective while her human body hovers between life and death. The story explores themes of communication, human-animal relationships, and guilt, following the protagonist as she navigates the bonobo's memories and seeks to reunite with her body, aided by a hired protector. The English translation by Brother Anthony of Taizé is expected in 2026.
389 pages, Paperback
First published May 27, 2019
About the author
You-Jeong Jeong
11 books545 followersSee also 정유정 .
You-jeong Jeong was born in Hampyeong, South Korea. She initially trained and worked as a nurse. She is now South Korea's leading writer of psychological crime and thriller fiction and is often compared to Stephen King and Raymond Chandler.
You-jeong is the author of four novels including Seven Years of Darkness, which was named one of the top ten crime novels of 2015 by the German newspaper Die Zeit.
Her work has been translated into Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Thai and Vietnamese. The Good Son is the first of her books to be translated into English.
You-jeong Jeong was born in Hampyeong, South Korea. She initially trained and worked as a nurse. She is now South Korea's leading writer of psychological crime and thriller fiction and is often compared to Stephen King and Raymond Chandler.
You-jeong is the author of four novels including Seven Years of Darkness, which was named one of the top ten crime novels of 2015 by the German newspaper Die Zeit.
Her work has been translated into Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Thai and Vietnamese. The Good Son is the first of her books to be translated into English.
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Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Bonobo (2026) is the translation by An Seonjae (also known as Brother Anthony of Taize) of the novel 진이, 지니 (2019) by 정유정 (You-Jeong Jeong).
This is the fourth of the author's novels to be translated into English, from 6 in Korean:
7년의 밤 (2011), translated as Seven Years of Darkness (2020) by Chi-Young Kim
28 (2013), as yet untranslated
종의 기원 (2016), translated as The Good Son (2018) by Sean Lim-Herbert
진이, 지니 (2019), translated as Bonobo by An Seonjae
완전한 행복 (2021), translated as Perfect Happiness by Chi-Young Kim
영원한 천국 (2024), as yet untranslated
The Good Son. Seven Years of Darkness and Perfect Happiness were psychological thrillers, the first two part of a 'trilogy of evil' alongside 28, and the English publisher compared the author to Stephen King - and as such weren't particularly to my taste.
Bonobo is in a different vein, a less dark, and more compassionate novel, and for me more successful as a result.
It is published in the UK by one of my favourite presses, Honford Star (see below) and this is a review of a paid-for subscriber copy, sent to subscribers in advance of Amazon, and not an ARC.
The Korean title in English would be 'Jini, Genie', a title which, while less 'salesy' is more appropriate for what is a novel of dual identity:
Inevitable questions followed. Where was Jini's body? Where was Jini's mind? If Jini's mind, installed in Genie's body, was asking these questions, was I Jini or Genie? In the end, I came back to square one: Could such a thing really happen? Was it a dream or an illusion.
Jini is coming up to her 35th birthday. She obtained a master's degree with a thesis on "How Chimpanzees Approach One Another in Social Grooming" and now works as a keeper at the Primate Research Center in the mountains in Gangwon.
As the novel opens she recounts her return from a one-month training trip to the Wamba bonobo research site in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, , supervised by a Japanese expert, where she made the decision, having fallen in love with the bonobos, that she would leave her job in Korea and return to Wamba for research into a doctorate:
It was an emotional decision, the kind unique to those who live without considering efficiency or desirability. To embellish a bit, I had fallen into a fateful love. They had a deep sensitivity, high intellectual ability, lively gestures, and rich expressions, but above all the bonobos' timid personality was the most impressive thing about them. As they approached and stared searchingly at me, their dark eyes, which had penetrated into me at some point, made me forget that I was a human being and made me act like them.
Transiting back to Korea via Kinshasa, she encounters a 22 hour delay when her connecting flight to Paris is cancelled, and spends the night in the city. Getting lost looking for a souvenir shop that was recommended on Google, she stumbles across a young female bonobo trapped in a cage, presumably for illegal export, and while briefly connecting with the animal, including telling her her name, flees when she hears someone, likely the poacher coming.
When she returns to Korea, and on her last day before she is due to return, she is called out to assist the emergency services. Some exotic animals such as pythons had been rescued from a burning house, but a 'chimpanzee' had escaped, and was at the top of a tree refusing to come down. She goes with the research centre Professor to retrieve the animal, who she soon identifies as a young female bonobo, and is able to talk down from the tree, in part as it is surprisingly responsive when she tells it her name:
The Japanese specialist in Wamba had said that bonobos were the animals closest to humans in terms of feelings, empathy, and memory. He'd said that they read humans' inner feelings much better than chimpanzees. Although they could not understand human speech, they could read the emotions contained in speech, react to them, and remember them. They also had the ability to remember specific events: the who, when, where, what, how, and why.
Therefore, I speculated that it was a woman who had taken care of the animals here. She would have said her name every time she fed the little bonobo. Maybe her name sounded like mine: Lee Jin-hui or Lee Jinna.
On the trip back to the centre, with the bonobo, who she names Genie, and on a stormy night, the van carrying her and the professor crashes off the road, with Jini and Genie thrown through the windscreen.
When she awakes she finds she has fallen into the valley, her descent broken by some trees ... but gradually realises that she now has the body of the bonobo.
No spoilers needed on the above as it's all described on the novel's inside flap, but it does take 100 pages to get there. And 270 pages before the reader's obvious guess as to why Genie responded to Jini is confirmed.
But, by contrast, when Jini/Genie encounters a young man, in his early 30s, Minjoo, in the forest, where he had come to take his life having been thrown out of the family home by his father, it takes a couple of pages for them to resolve how to communicate with each other and for her to explain to Minjoo her story, and for him to accept it.
Which makes this an oddly paced thriller. But that isn't where the novel's strength lies.
Minjoo and Jini/Genie discover that Jini suffered a severe brain injury in the accident, and is in a coma hovering between life and death.
And Jini discovers that at times Genie, the bonobo, takes control over her body, particularly at times of stress (when her 'chimp brain' is literally activated). And when she does so, Jini enters into Genie's memories of her past and her journey to Korea, at first more as a third-person observer, but as time goes on (the novel set over a few days) more and more experiencing Genie's feeling and perspective - which gives the novel an imaginative depth on how a bonobo might perceive the world.
And the plot comes from Jini's dilemma - stay in Genie's body and likely their two identities merge (arguably to the loss of both of them; Jini never returning to her human form and Genie's surrendering full control of her body); or attempt to return to her own, likely fatally damaged, body. Amd Minjoo finds himself torn between wanting to help, and wondering why he got involved, particularly as the police become involved in the search for the missing bonobo and become suspicious of how he keeps popping up whenever the animal is sighted.
A fascinating and empathetic novel, if less successful as a thriller. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.
Honford Star
Honford Star is a literary publisher of translated fiction from East Asia. Our books are boundary-pushing, unexpected, and entertaining. We are proud to work with some of the world's most talented and esteemed authors, translators, and graphic designers.
This is the fourth of the author's novels to be translated into English, from 6 in Korean:
7년의 밤 (2011), translated as Seven Years of Darkness (2020) by Chi-Young Kim
28 (2013), as yet untranslated
종의 기원 (2016), translated as The Good Son (2018) by Sean Lim-Herbert
진이, 지니 (2019), translated as Bonobo by An Seonjae
완전한 행복 (2021), translated as Perfect Happiness by Chi-Young Kim
영원한 천국 (2024), as yet untranslated
The Good Son. Seven Years of Darkness and Perfect Happiness were psychological thrillers, the first two part of a 'trilogy of evil' alongside 28, and the English publisher compared the author to Stephen King - and as such weren't particularly to my taste.
Bonobo is in a different vein, a less dark, and more compassionate novel, and for me more successful as a result.
It is published in the UK by one of my favourite presses, Honford Star (see below) and this is a review of a paid-for subscriber copy, sent to subscribers in advance of Amazon, and not an ARC.
The Korean title in English would be 'Jini, Genie', a title which, while less 'salesy' is more appropriate for what is a novel of dual identity:
Inevitable questions followed. Where was Jini's body? Where was Jini's mind? If Jini's mind, installed in Genie's body, was asking these questions, was I Jini or Genie? In the end, I came back to square one: Could such a thing really happen? Was it a dream or an illusion.
Jini is coming up to her 35th birthday. She obtained a master's degree with a thesis on "How Chimpanzees Approach One Another in Social Grooming" and now works as a keeper at the Primate Research Center in the mountains in Gangwon.
As the novel opens she recounts her return from a one-month training trip to the Wamba bonobo research site in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, , supervised by a Japanese expert, where she made the decision, having fallen in love with the bonobos, that she would leave her job in Korea and return to Wamba for research into a doctorate:
It was an emotional decision, the kind unique to those who live without considering efficiency or desirability. To embellish a bit, I had fallen into a fateful love. They had a deep sensitivity, high intellectual ability, lively gestures, and rich expressions, but above all the bonobos' timid personality was the most impressive thing about them. As they approached and stared searchingly at me, their dark eyes, which had penetrated into me at some point, made me forget that I was a human being and made me act like them.
Transiting back to Korea via Kinshasa, she encounters a 22 hour delay when her connecting flight to Paris is cancelled, and spends the night in the city. Getting lost looking for a souvenir shop that was recommended on Google, she stumbles across a young female bonobo trapped in a cage, presumably for illegal export, and while briefly connecting with the animal, including telling her her name, flees when she hears someone, likely the poacher coming.
When she returns to Korea, and on her last day before she is due to return, she is called out to assist the emergency services. Some exotic animals such as pythons had been rescued from a burning house, but a 'chimpanzee' had escaped, and was at the top of a tree refusing to come down. She goes with the research centre Professor to retrieve the animal, who she soon identifies as a young female bonobo, and is able to talk down from the tree, in part as it is surprisingly responsive when she tells it her name:
The Japanese specialist in Wamba had said that bonobos were the animals closest to humans in terms of feelings, empathy, and memory. He'd said that they read humans' inner feelings much better than chimpanzees. Although they could not understand human speech, they could read the emotions contained in speech, react to them, and remember them. They also had the ability to remember specific events: the who, when, where, what, how, and why.
Therefore, I speculated that it was a woman who had taken care of the animals here. She would have said her name every time she fed the little bonobo. Maybe her name sounded like mine: Lee Jin-hui or Lee Jinna.
On the trip back to the centre, with the bonobo, who she names Genie, and on a stormy night, the van carrying her and the professor crashes off the road, with Jini and Genie thrown through the windscreen.
When she awakes she finds she has fallen into the valley, her descent broken by some trees ... but gradually realises that she now has the body of the bonobo.
No spoilers needed on the above as it's all described on the novel's inside flap, but it does take 100 pages to get there. And 270 pages before the reader's obvious guess as to why Genie responded to Jini is confirmed.
But, by contrast, when Jini/Genie encounters a young man, in his early 30s, Minjoo, in the forest, where he had come to take his life having been thrown out of the family home by his father, it takes a couple of pages for them to resolve how to communicate with each other and for her to explain to Minjoo her story, and for him to accept it.
Which makes this an oddly paced thriller. But that isn't where the novel's strength lies.
Minjoo and Jini/Genie discover that Jini suffered a severe brain injury in the accident, and is in a coma hovering between life and death.
And Jini discovers that at times Genie, the bonobo, takes control over her body, particularly at times of stress (when her 'chimp brain' is literally activated). And when she does so, Jini enters into Genie's memories of her past and her journey to Korea, at first more as a third-person observer, but as time goes on (the novel set over a few days) more and more experiencing Genie's feeling and perspective - which gives the novel an imaginative depth on how a bonobo might perceive the world.
And the plot comes from Jini's dilemma - stay in Genie's body and likely their two identities merge (arguably to the loss of both of them; Jini never returning to her human form and Genie's surrendering full control of her body); or attempt to return to her own, likely fatally damaged, body. Amd Minjoo finds himself torn between wanting to help, and wondering why he got involved, particularly as the police become involved in the search for the missing bonobo and become suspicious of how he keeps popping up whenever the animal is sighted.
A fascinating and empathetic novel, if less successful as a thriller. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.
Honford Star
Honford Star is a literary publisher of translated fiction from East Asia. Our books are boundary-pushing, unexpected, and entertaining. We are proud to work with some of the world's most talented and esteemed authors, translators, and graphic designers.
October 11, 2021
Jin-yi est une femme qui a dédié une dizaine d'années à l'étude des primates. Suite à un évènement particulièrement bouleversant, elle décide de tout quitter et dire adieu aux primates, repartir de zéro ailleurs. Lors de sa dernière soirée de travail, elle se retrouve à aller sauver un bonobo qui s'est enfui d'une villa qui a pris feu. Sur le chemin du retour, il se produit un très grave accident de voiture et une étrange fusion s'opère : tandis que son corps est emmené à l'hopital, dans un état particulièrement grave, son esprit se retrouve coincé dans le corps de la petite bonobo qu'elle venait de sauver.
Dès le premier chapitre, le lecteur est averti qu'on va humaniser les animaux dans ce récit: "Mon mentor me disait souvent qu'il fallait se garder d'humaniser les animaux. Ce n'était pas une attitude adéquate en tant que scientifique. Je lui répondais "Entendus", mais en fait je n'avais jamais suivi son conseil" (p.14). Donc on sait dès le début qu'on va se rapprocher de l'animal, et non prendre de la distance. En somme, le genre d'histoire qui a tout pour me plaire.
Tandis qu'on suit ce périple, on suit également le personnage de Minju qui tient un rôle important dans l'avancement de cette histoire. Minju, c'est typiquement le personnage marginal, qui n'arrive pas à trouver sa place au sein de la société, qui a des parents qui lui mettent de la pression à trouver un job "respectable" plutôt que le laisser s'épanouir. Il m'a un peu fait penser au personnage principal de Squid Game, que je viens à peine de finir. C'est un homme qui n'a clairement plus envie de vivre, mais sa rencontre avec le bonobo va changer sa vie d'une certaine façon.
Les différentes thématiques dans ce livre : la relation homme-animal, avec l'homme qui est toujours le dominant; la difficulté de trouver sa place dans la société; la question de la mort (peur de mourir, et peur de ne plus avoir la force de vivre); l'amitié (amour ?) entre deux êtres, ce qui amène aussi à la question de respect.
Ce n'est peut-être pas un livre parfait, mais c'est un livre qui m'a fait du bien et qui m'a donné du baume au coeur. Ce récit contenait honnêtement beaucoup de choses que j'aime dans un roman de façon générale. C'est donc une très bonne lecture pour la lectrice que je suis !
Nota bene: accepter la mort, c'est aussi accepter la vie ;-)
Dès le premier chapitre, le lecteur est averti qu'on va humaniser les animaux dans ce récit: "Mon mentor me disait souvent qu'il fallait se garder d'humaniser les animaux. Ce n'était pas une attitude adéquate en tant que scientifique. Je lui répondais "Entendus", mais en fait je n'avais jamais suivi son conseil" (p.14). Donc on sait dès le début qu'on va se rapprocher de l'animal, et non prendre de la distance. En somme, le genre d'histoire qui a tout pour me plaire.
Tandis qu'on suit ce périple, on suit également le personnage de Minju qui tient un rôle important dans l'avancement de cette histoire. Minju, c'est typiquement le personnage marginal, qui n'arrive pas à trouver sa place au sein de la société, qui a des parents qui lui mettent de la pression à trouver un job "respectable" plutôt que le laisser s'épanouir. Il m'a un peu fait penser au personnage principal de Squid Game, que je viens à peine de finir. C'est un homme qui n'a clairement plus envie de vivre, mais sa rencontre avec le bonobo va changer sa vie d'une certaine façon.
Les différentes thématiques dans ce livre : la relation homme-animal, avec l'homme qui est toujours le dominant; la difficulté de trouver sa place dans la société; la question de la mort (peur de mourir, et peur de ne plus avoir la force de vivre); l'amitié (amour ?) entre deux êtres, ce qui amène aussi à la question de respect.
Ce n'est peut-être pas un livre parfait, mais c'est un livre qui m'a fait du bien et qui m'a donné du baume au coeur. Ce récit contenait honnêtement beaucoup de choses que j'aime dans un roman de façon générale. C'est donc une très bonne lecture pour la lectrice que je suis !
Nota bene: accepter la mort, c'est aussi accepter la vie ;-)
August 21, 2026
This was a strange blend of a speculative fiction, environmental thriller following a primate caretaker who has her consciousness transferred into a bonobo that she is attempting to rescue. She desperately tries to find a way to return her mind to her body with the aid of a local aimless tramp. Together they journey through Korea trying to evade detection while growing along the way.
This book was great, not because it was told absolutely beautifully (even after being translated) but because it was a tender exploration into the unanswerable questions of life and consciousness itself. You-Jeong is a supremely talented writer, her unique turns of phrase were impressive and poetic and to see them carry themselves so effortlessly from Korean was an absolute pleasure (credit to the translator Seon Jae An to the care paid in that regard)
After being thoroughly pleased with my previous read by You-Jeong Jeong (the thriller, Perfect Happiness) its so impressive to see her still thrive and show her range with this very different type of book. I'm so happy that Creature Publishing has introduced me to You-Jeong Jeong's writing and has brought her to my attention because she's criminally underrepresented on here. Bonobo is definitely one to check out.
This book was great, not because it was told absolutely beautifully (even after being translated) but because it was a tender exploration into the unanswerable questions of life and consciousness itself. You-Jeong is a supremely talented writer, her unique turns of phrase were impressive and poetic and to see them carry themselves so effortlessly from Korean was an absolute pleasure (credit to the translator Seon Jae An to the care paid in that regard)
After being thoroughly pleased with my previous read by You-Jeong Jeong (the thriller, Perfect Happiness) its so impressive to see her still thrive and show her range with this very different type of book. I'm so happy that Creature Publishing has introduced me to You-Jeong Jeong's writing and has brought her to my attention because she's criminally underrepresented on here. Bonobo is definitely one to check out.
September 12, 2026
Bonobo is a speculative fiction/sci-fi novel with a Freaky Fridayish moment where Jini's, a primate caretaker, consciousness merges with a bonobo monkey's. Minjoo is a "failure to launch" thirty year old man who reluctantly agrees to help Jini. Told through the perspectives of Minjoo, Jini, and the monkey's memories as seen by Jini, this novel is by no means a comedy. The moments with the monkey's memories and learning of it's life thus far is quite eye-opening and while the ending fits in well enough it is the epilogue that was the showstopper.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
December 8, 2024
Apa yg terjadi jika Anda mengalami kecelakaan dan terbangun di sosok tubuh beda spesies? Inilah yg saya rasakan saat membaca novel ini.
Walaupun saya sudah pernah membaca buku author (yg ini buku ke-3 author yg saya baca), saya baru pertama kali membaca buku trope "out of body" ini apalagi di tubuh seekor bonobo (sejenis simpanse) betina. Lee Jini adalah petugas dan pengasuh primata yang sedang memangku seekor bonobo ini yg diberi nama Jinny, dan setelah kecelakaan terjadi, Jini panik krn terbangun bukan si tubuhnya sendiri tapi di tubuh bonobo ini.
Satu-satunya orang yg bisa membantu Jini adalah seorang tunawisma bernama Min Ju. Mengikuti petualangan duo beda spesies ini lumayan seru dan mencengangkan, mirip nonton film thriller suspense action dgn percikan science fiction. Alurnya emang lancar jaya, namun ada kalanya di tengah cerita apa ada flashback Jini atau Min Ju yg lumayan annoying bagi saya walaupun ini khas gaya cerita author di dua buku sebelumnya yg sudah saya baca.
Dari POV Jini, kita lihat pergulatan batinnya, melihat dari kacamata Jinny bagaimana hidupnya dirampas oleh manusia serakah.
Sudahlah, sekian dulu reviewnya. Besok masih banyak kerjaan dan mau baca buku lainnya.
Walaupun saya sudah pernah membaca buku author (yg ini buku ke-3 author yg saya baca), saya baru pertama kali membaca buku trope "out of body" ini apalagi di tubuh seekor bonobo (sejenis simpanse) betina. Lee Jini adalah petugas dan pengasuh primata yang sedang memangku seekor bonobo ini yg diberi nama Jinny, dan setelah kecelakaan terjadi, Jini panik krn terbangun bukan si tubuhnya sendiri tapi di tubuh bonobo ini.
Satu-satunya orang yg bisa membantu Jini adalah seorang tunawisma bernama Min Ju. Mengikuti petualangan duo beda spesies ini lumayan seru dan mencengangkan, mirip nonton film thriller suspense action dgn percikan science fiction. Alurnya emang lancar jaya, namun ada kalanya di tengah cerita apa ada flashback Jini atau Min Ju yg lumayan annoying bagi saya walaupun ini khas gaya cerita author di dua buku sebelumnya yg sudah saya baca.
Dari POV Jini, kita lihat pergulatan batinnya, melihat dari kacamata Jinny bagaimana hidupnya dirampas oleh manusia serakah.
Sudahlah, sekian dulu reviewnya. Besok masih banyak kerjaan dan mau baca buku lainnya.
September 8, 2026
What an emotional rollercoaster this was. Bonobo, by You-jeong Jeong, is deeply moving and endlessly entertaining — I found myself completely invested in what would happen to the characters. The writing is beautiful, weaving together adventure and hardship with genuine insight into life and death. Powerful and tender without ever tipping into melodrama, I'd recommend this novel wholeheartedly, especially to fellow animal lovers. It will certainly stay with me for a long time.
August 13, 2022
Touchant! Mérite le temps d'y consacrer!
April 17, 2024
Si vous cherchez un peu d’espoir dans des moments difficiles je vous recommande cette lecture, car elle n’est remplie que de belles leçons.
En tant qu’humains, nous avons tendance à oublier que la vie n’est pas censée être facile, qu’il y a des changements et des défis constants ainsi que des déceptions à surmonter et c’est exactement pourquoi la vie est si belle. Si tout nous était donné sur un plateau d’argent, nous n’apprendrions pas à apprécier chaque petit moment de joie que nous avons au cours de nos journées et nous n’apprendrions pas à être humbles et reconnaissants. Les personnages dans cette histoire nous rappellent que malgré la solitude et les moments difficiles il faut toujours espérer, car il y aura toujours quelqu’un pour nous aider, et si ce quelqu’un n’est pas une autre personne c’est parce que c’est nous-même.
Vous êtes beaucoup plus fort et courageux de ce que vous pensez, mais parfois pour s’en rendre compte il faut oser.
~
En tant qu’humains, nous avons tendance à oublier que la vie n’est pas censée être facile, qu’il y a des changements et des défis constants ainsi que des déceptions à surmonter et c’est exactement pourquoi la vie est si belle. Si tout nous était donné sur un plateau d’argent, nous n’apprendrions pas à apprécier chaque petit moment de joie que nous avons au cours de nos journées et nous n’apprendrions pas à être humbles et reconnaissants. Les personnages dans cette histoire nous rappellent que malgré la solitude et les moments difficiles il faut toujours espérer, car il y aura toujours quelqu’un pour nous aider, et si ce quelqu’un n’est pas une autre personne c’est parce que c’est nous-même.
Vous êtes beaucoup plus fort et courageux de ce que vous pensez, mais parfois pour s’en rendre compte il faut oser.
~
December 28, 2025
“Aku tidak bisa berkata bahwa hidupku bahagia. Namun, aku ingin percaya bahwa aku bukan orang yang tidak beruntung.”
#lintangbookreview
Jini, Jinny | Jeong You-jeong
Bagaimana jika suatu hari kau terbangun dan mendapati dirimu bukan lagi manusia, melainkan seekor bonobo?
Itulah yang dialami Jini setelah sebuah kecelakaan yang membuat jiwanya terjebak dalam tubuh bonobo kecil bernama Jinny. Tubuh manusianya terbaring koma, dan satu-satunya saksi mata adalah Min-ju, pria pengangguran yang kehilangan arah hidup tapi tiba-tiba menjadi satu-satunya harapan.
Kisah ini dituturkan dari dua sudut pandang: Jini dalam tubuh Jinny, dan Min-ju. Meski narasi bergantian, alurnya tetap padu dan saling menguatkan. Ceritanya berjalan lambat, tapi setiap detail terasa hidup. Emosi, suasana, dan keraguan dalam diri tiap tokoh digambarkan dengan dalam, memberi ruang bagi pembaca untuk ikut larut dan terhubung secara emosional.
Yang membuat novel ini menonjol adalah saat Jini menyadari dirinya kini menjadi bonobo. Ada benturan antara naluri manusia dan naluri liar yang tak bisa dikendalikan. Lewat ingatan Jinny, kita juga diajak menyelami luka masa lalunya sebagai korban eksploitasi dan perdagangan ilegal—bagian yang membuat pembaca merenungi bagaimana manusia memperlakukan makhluk lain di bumi ini.
Sementara dari sisi Min-ju, kita ikut menyaksikan perjuangan seorang pria dewasa yang terbuang dari keluarganya karena dianggap gagal, dan bagaimana ia akhirnya menemukan makna hidup lewat permintaan Jini yang tak masuk akal. Dan dalam ketidaksempurnaannya, Min-ju justru jadi tokoh yang paling manusiawi.
Petualangan mereka selama tiga hari mungkin tak diwarnai banyak plot twist, tapi ketegangan emosionalnya begitu terasa. Ketegangan yang muncul bukan dari kejutan besar, melainkan dari ketakutan akan kehilangan waktu, kehilangan kesempatan, kehilangan diri sendiri. Dan saat akhir mendekat, suasana cerita makin hening, getir, dan menyayat.
Novel ini mengajak kita memahami: hidup memang berat, tapi selama napas masih ada, kita punya satu tugas: bertahan. Dan memperjuangkan hidup itu sepenuh hati.
#lintangbookreview
Jini, Jinny | Jeong You-jeong
Bagaimana jika suatu hari kau terbangun dan mendapati dirimu bukan lagi manusia, melainkan seekor bonobo?
Itulah yang dialami Jini setelah sebuah kecelakaan yang membuat jiwanya terjebak dalam tubuh bonobo kecil bernama Jinny. Tubuh manusianya terbaring koma, dan satu-satunya saksi mata adalah Min-ju, pria pengangguran yang kehilangan arah hidup tapi tiba-tiba menjadi satu-satunya harapan.
Kisah ini dituturkan dari dua sudut pandang: Jini dalam tubuh Jinny, dan Min-ju. Meski narasi bergantian, alurnya tetap padu dan saling menguatkan. Ceritanya berjalan lambat, tapi setiap detail terasa hidup. Emosi, suasana, dan keraguan dalam diri tiap tokoh digambarkan dengan dalam, memberi ruang bagi pembaca untuk ikut larut dan terhubung secara emosional.
Yang membuat novel ini menonjol adalah saat Jini menyadari dirinya kini menjadi bonobo. Ada benturan antara naluri manusia dan naluri liar yang tak bisa dikendalikan. Lewat ingatan Jinny, kita juga diajak menyelami luka masa lalunya sebagai korban eksploitasi dan perdagangan ilegal—bagian yang membuat pembaca merenungi bagaimana manusia memperlakukan makhluk lain di bumi ini.
Sementara dari sisi Min-ju, kita ikut menyaksikan perjuangan seorang pria dewasa yang terbuang dari keluarganya karena dianggap gagal, dan bagaimana ia akhirnya menemukan makna hidup lewat permintaan Jini yang tak masuk akal. Dan dalam ketidaksempurnaannya, Min-ju justru jadi tokoh yang paling manusiawi.
Petualangan mereka selama tiga hari mungkin tak diwarnai banyak plot twist, tapi ketegangan emosionalnya begitu terasa. Ketegangan yang muncul bukan dari kejutan besar, melainkan dari ketakutan akan kehilangan waktu, kehilangan kesempatan, kehilangan diri sendiri. Dan saat akhir mendekat, suasana cerita makin hening, getir, dan menyayat.
Novel ini mengajak kita memahami: hidup memang berat, tapi selama napas masih ada, kita punya satu tugas: bertahan. Dan memperjuangkan hidup itu sepenuh hati.
July 8, 2025
"Hal terburuk dalam hidup bukanlah kematian, melainkan tidak adanya alasan untuk hidup." Hal 59
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Jini, Jinny
Jeong you-jeong
Penerbit Gramedia, 2024
Alih Bahasa: Lingliana
Tebal 414 Halaman
Pinjam di Perpustakaan Depok
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Baca Karya ketiga penulis satu ini. Setelah tujuh tahun kegelapan dan The Good Son. Jini, Jinny, merupakan tokoh utama yang tidak biasa dan aku suka ide serta topik cerita yang diangkat mengenai kehidupan manusia dan Bonobo.
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Yang menarik adalah ketika Lee Jini seorang Penanggung Jawab Kera Besar di Pusat Riset Primata Seoul tanpa sengaja bertemu dengan Bonobo di sebuah toko di luar negeri ketika bertugas. Tanpa dia sadari, semua pertemuan dengan Bonobo itu adalah awal semua peristiwa akan perpindahan jiwa. Saat peristiwa kecelakaan terjadi, ada saksi mata, sosoknya berpengaruh dalam pencarian Jini, pada tubuh Jinny.
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Bagian yang kurang hanya pada beberapa part yang lambat, tapi tidak mengurangi keseruan cerita. Karena terjemahannya pun ringan dan nyaman jadi mudah dipahami.
"Mereka berdua tidak sepenuhnya hidup atau mati. Mereka berdua berkeliaran di perbatasan antara hidup dan mati." Hal 298
Kutipan di atas membuat pembaca dapat memahami risiko serta chemistry antara Lee Jini dan Bonobo Jinny.
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Penulis begitu apik menggambarkan semua emosi, baik rasa putus asa, ketakutan, gelisah, kematian dan harapan yang abu-abu. Bahkan setelah membaca bagian di mana penulis melakukan riset untuk spesies langka satu ini, aku dibuat takjub. Karena kemiripan DNA kera Bonobo dan DNA manusia 98.7% mirip menurut riset beberapa ilmuan.
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Apakah buku ini sesuai ekspektasi aku sebagai pembaca? Betul sesuai ekspektasi dan aku suka, suka banget. Jadi aku rekomendasikan buat kalian yang suka trope out of body, primata dan perpindahan jiwa serta mengenal spesies langka ini.
-
Jini, Jinny
Jeong you-jeong
Penerbit Gramedia, 2024
Alih Bahasa: Lingliana
Tebal 414 Halaman
Pinjam di Perpustakaan Depok
-
Baca Karya ketiga penulis satu ini. Setelah tujuh tahun kegelapan dan The Good Son. Jini, Jinny, merupakan tokoh utama yang tidak biasa dan aku suka ide serta topik cerita yang diangkat mengenai kehidupan manusia dan Bonobo.
-
Yang menarik adalah ketika Lee Jini seorang Penanggung Jawab Kera Besar di Pusat Riset Primata Seoul tanpa sengaja bertemu dengan Bonobo di sebuah toko di luar negeri ketika bertugas. Tanpa dia sadari, semua pertemuan dengan Bonobo itu adalah awal semua peristiwa akan perpindahan jiwa. Saat peristiwa kecelakaan terjadi, ada saksi mata, sosoknya berpengaruh dalam pencarian Jini, pada tubuh Jinny.
-
Bagian yang kurang hanya pada beberapa part yang lambat, tapi tidak mengurangi keseruan cerita. Karena terjemahannya pun ringan dan nyaman jadi mudah dipahami.
"Mereka berdua tidak sepenuhnya hidup atau mati. Mereka berdua berkeliaran di perbatasan antara hidup dan mati." Hal 298
Kutipan di atas membuat pembaca dapat memahami risiko serta chemistry antara Lee Jini dan Bonobo Jinny.
-
Penulis begitu apik menggambarkan semua emosi, baik rasa putus asa, ketakutan, gelisah, kematian dan harapan yang abu-abu. Bahkan setelah membaca bagian di mana penulis melakukan riset untuk spesies langka satu ini, aku dibuat takjub. Karena kemiripan DNA kera Bonobo dan DNA manusia 98.7% mirip menurut riset beberapa ilmuan.
-
Apakah buku ini sesuai ekspektasi aku sebagai pembaca? Betul sesuai ekspektasi dan aku suka, suka banget. Jadi aku rekomendasikan buat kalian yang suka trope out of body, primata dan perpindahan jiwa serta mengenal spesies langka ini.
February 26, 2025
Covernya tidak sesejuk isinya. Memang alurnya nggak berat-namun cukup intens- tapi karakter-karakternya suram. Sedih, cemas, gloomy. Salah banget mengira bakal ada unsur komedi melihat sinopsis yang menyepoiler unsur fantasi. Kukira bakal lucu-lucu cia cie ciyuuu. Ternyata bikin tersedu, help! Musti diingat siapa Penulisnya! Aaaaaa!!!
80% nangis karena bonobo :') Warning ada animal abuse yang cukup membuat hati remuk! Hati-hati!
Karena riset yang dilakukan Penulis sangat dalam, jadi ilmu-ilmu seputar bonobo yang diberikan senyata apa adanya. Gerak-gerik, kebiasaan bonobo, apa yang mereka suka, bagaimana mereka hidup dalam berkelompok yang ternyata berbeda dengan cara hidup simpanse. Bahkan dna bonobo memiliki kemiripan yang paling dekat dengan dna manusia loh daripada simpanse. Yaitu sekitar 98,7% kemiripannya.
Jadi apa buku ini hanya membahas tentang bonobo? Medianya bonobo. Yes. Atau kita bisa panggil dia Jinny. Buku ini bercerita soal pilihan-pilihan yang dimiliki seseorang jika dimusuhi oleh kematian. Kalau kau memang mau menganggap kematian itu musuhmu. Atau kalau kau mau menganggap dia temanmu dan menyambutnya dengan tangan terbuka?
Kita semua akan mati. Sampai saat itu tiba, hiduplah dengan sekuat tenaga.
80% nangis karena bonobo :') Warning ada animal abuse yang cukup membuat hati remuk! Hati-hati!
Karena riset yang dilakukan Penulis sangat dalam, jadi ilmu-ilmu seputar bonobo yang diberikan senyata apa adanya. Gerak-gerik, kebiasaan bonobo, apa yang mereka suka, bagaimana mereka hidup dalam berkelompok yang ternyata berbeda dengan cara hidup simpanse. Bahkan dna bonobo memiliki kemiripan yang paling dekat dengan dna manusia loh daripada simpanse. Yaitu sekitar 98,7% kemiripannya.
Jadi apa buku ini hanya membahas tentang bonobo? Medianya bonobo. Yes. Atau kita bisa panggil dia Jinny. Buku ini bercerita soal pilihan-pilihan yang dimiliki seseorang jika dimusuhi oleh kematian. Kalau kau memang mau menganggap kematian itu musuhmu. Atau kalau kau mau menganggap dia temanmu dan menyambutnya dengan tangan terbuka?
Kita semua akan mati. Sampai saat itu tiba, hiduplah dengan sekuat tenaga.
August 31, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ 4.5 stars
Thank you to Edelweiss+, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review 💜
Bonobo was such a beautiful surprise, and I absolutely loved it.
The writing is beautiful, but what really stood out to me was how original and unique the story feels. At first, I wasn’t sure how much I would be pulled into it, but the way Geanie’s and Jini’s lives slowly intertwine completely captured me. Experiencing the story from both of their perspectives made their connection even more powerful.
I especially loved how delicately the author touches upon illegal animal trafficking. It never feels preachy, but it sensitizes the reader to these animals, their vulnerability, their emotions, and just how different yet incredibly similar to us they can be.
And the ending? Wow, so deep and intense, it will stay with me for a while.
Beautifully written, original and deeply touching. A very special story and definitely one for animal lovers 🐒💜
Thank you to Edelweiss+, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review 💜
Bonobo was such a beautiful surprise, and I absolutely loved it.
The writing is beautiful, but what really stood out to me was how original and unique the story feels. At first, I wasn’t sure how much I would be pulled into it, but the way Geanie’s and Jini’s lives slowly intertwine completely captured me. Experiencing the story from both of their perspectives made their connection even more powerful.
I especially loved how delicately the author touches upon illegal animal trafficking. It never feels preachy, but it sensitizes the reader to these animals, their vulnerability, their emotions, and just how different yet incredibly similar to us they can be.
And the ending? Wow, so deep and intense, it will stay with me for a while.
Beautifully written, original and deeply touching. A very special story and definitely one for animal lovers 🐒💜
September 5, 2026
Wow! What an achingly beautiful story. I absolutely adored every second of this and I’m not afraid to say that the tears were flowing by the end.
Of the East Asian literature I’ve read (strap in for some sweeping generalisations), I’ve often found them to exist in an almost dreamlike state, focusing on the transience of life, and Bonobo perfectly sums this up.
Blending moral duty with a harmony and respect for nature, You-Jeong Jeong has managed to craft a story about someone’s consciousness leaping into the boy of a bonobo into a bittersweet tale of belonging, redemption, and honour.
Thank you so much to Honford Star and NetGalley for the early access, with the paperback release in the UK set for October 13th.
I also want to mention the incredible cover artwork for this edition by Takashi Nakamura, it is absolutely incredible.
Of the East Asian literature I’ve read (strap in for some sweeping generalisations), I’ve often found them to exist in an almost dreamlike state, focusing on the transience of life, and Bonobo perfectly sums this up.
Blending moral duty with a harmony and respect for nature, You-Jeong Jeong has managed to craft a story about someone’s consciousness leaping into the boy of a bonobo into a bittersweet tale of belonging, redemption, and honour.
Thank you so much to Honford Star and NetGalley for the early access, with the paperback release in the UK set for October 13th.
I also want to mention the incredible cover artwork for this edition by Takashi Nakamura, it is absolutely incredible.
May 13, 2025
Ceritanya terbilang sederhana dan meski alurnya lamban, namun temanya unik. Di awal hingga pertengahan, kisah dua jiwa, yakni Jini dengan Jinny yang terpelanting keluar masuk dalam satu tubuh bonobo ini seolah terlalu lama diputuskan. Hendak ke manakah jiwa mereka berdua ditempatkan?
Kepusingan melanda Jini yang harus segera kembali ke raga fisiknya, namun selalu tertunda oleh jiwa Jinny yang selalu membelokkan tindakan Jini dan menggantinya dengan aksi si bonobo sendiri.
Kendati cukup detail, eksekusinya terlampau naif, namun menyentuh dan tak terduga dengan hikmah yang tertinggal yakni hidup harus diperjuangkan sebelum takdir kematian itu datang. Sebagaimana Min-ju yang lontang-lantung, namun akhirnya sadar bahwa ia pun harus mengisi hidupnya dengan sesuatu yang bermakna.
Kepusingan melanda Jini yang harus segera kembali ke raga fisiknya, namun selalu tertunda oleh jiwa Jinny yang selalu membelokkan tindakan Jini dan menggantinya dengan aksi si bonobo sendiri.
Kendati cukup detail, eksekusinya terlampau naif, namun menyentuh dan tak terduga dengan hikmah yang tertinggal yakni hidup harus diperjuangkan sebelum takdir kematian itu datang. Sebagaimana Min-ju yang lontang-lantung, namun akhirnya sadar bahwa ia pun harus mengisi hidupnya dengan sesuatu yang bermakna.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bonobo was a fun story but one with some interesting themes and messages within the fantasy-touched tale. I thought Jini's journey was captivating, and her experiences really changed her as the book progressed. Minjoo, too, ends up broadening his horizons through his connection to Jini. Of course there are some environmental themes at play here, but more interesting for me was the consideration of consciousness and what it means in terms of being alive and being a distinctive person/entity. I am giving this one 4 stars. Worth a read if you like speculative fiction with a bit of philosophy through in.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 3, 2025
Berkisah tentang jiwa terpisah dari raga dan meminjam raga seekor bonobo. Dibantu oleh seorang pengangguran yang tidak memiliki tujuan hidup, jiwa yang terpisah itu berupaya untuk kembali ke dalam raganya. Dalam perjalanannya, jiwa itu justru merasuk ke dalam kisah si bonobo yang menjadi tubuh induk sementaranya.
Buku ini cukup menarik, hanya saja membahas 3 tokoh yang saling berkelindan satu sama lain membuatnya jadi panjang dan lebar. Di tengah sempat mengalami kebosanan. Meski begitu, saya menyukai akhir ceritanya.
Buku ini cukup menarik, hanya saja membahas 3 tokoh yang saling berkelindan satu sama lain membuatnya jadi panjang dan lebar. Di tengah sempat mengalami kebosanan. Meski begitu, saya menyukai akhir ceritanya.
July 8, 2026
Jini, Jinny is hands-down the best, most heart-wrenching book I've read this year, right up there with my other 5-star reads. Watching Minju find her own reason to live while saving Jini and Jinny gave me one too. I cried constantly, especially over its bonobo character (rarely, if ever, given real main-character status in fiction), the well-written prose, and an epilogue that shattered me completely. Even as fiction, it reshaped how I see life and deserved to sit on top of my heart.
April 21, 2026
Bah je pensais lire un roman touchant sur le lien avec les animaux et j’ai eu droit à une nana qui est coincée dans le corps d’un bonobo.
Le début était émouvant, ainsi que le contexte d’écriture (en notes d’actrice à la fin) mais le reste… j’ai jamais adhéré. Pas du tout mon style d’écriture ou de personnages.
Le début était émouvant, ainsi que le contexte d’écriture (en notes d’actrice à la fin) mais le reste… j’ai jamais adhéré. Pas du tout mon style d’écriture ou de personnages.
February 10, 2022
Le roman donne trop dans le roman d'aventure un peu simpliste à mon goût, mais il n'empêche que la fin m'a tout de même touché, ce à quoi je ne m'attendais pas. Un doux roman sur l'acceptation de la mort.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2026
BUKU APA INI DODOLL AKU SEDIH BGT BACA INI😭 aku kira ceritanya tentang out of body yg 'biasa' ternyata SANGAT GONG DAN SEDIH. Aduh aku bingung jelasinnya tp pokoknya bagus tentang hidup! Hidup! Hidup! Klo kalian sdg gk semangat hidup, kalian hrs baca ini pokoknya 😭😭
September 3, 2026
I wasn’t expecting a book with this premise to make me cry. I came for the weirdness, but left with a new appreciation of life, death, and the compassion we can show one another through respecting their autonomy.
Thank you Honford Star for the review copy.
Thank you Honford Star for the review copy.
January 21, 2023
Un partenariat incongru, au bout duquel se trouvent le courage, la rédemption, l’acceptation
October 2, 2025
생일 축하해...
January 28, 2026
Great book (Also features my name). My favorite book probably
December 22, 2024
Jujur aku bingung deskripsiinnya harus gimana. Kalaupun harus mendeskripsikannya dalam dua kata, mungkin itu: Monyet (secara kiasan maupun harfiah), Gendeng.
Permasalahan di cerita ini berat tapi nyeleneh disaat yang bersamaan. Buku ini jago bikin suasana hati jadi putus asa. Pembangunan suasananya mencekam, ketidakpastian, kesedihan, keputusasaan, kedukaan, ketidakberdayaan, dan isu perlindungan hewan liar, itu semua disorot jelas di tiap bab. Belum lagi latar suasananya sangat gloomy, berkabut, dan hujan bener-bener bikin emosi pundung tiap kali bolak balik halaman. Tapi genre misteri ceritanya juga bikin penasaran, ditambah perjuangan semua karakter di buku ini bikin suasana suram itu jadi timpang tindih sama tindakan mereka. Sepanjang baca, aku jadi heran, dan berakhir merasa slump begitu sampai di ending. Intinya buku ini sangat kontradiksi, jadi kalau penasaran, usahakan baca disaat kondisi mental kalian aman ya gais😭🙏
Permasalahan di cerita ini berat tapi nyeleneh disaat yang bersamaan. Buku ini jago bikin suasana hati jadi putus asa. Pembangunan suasananya mencekam, ketidakpastian, kesedihan, keputusasaan, kedukaan, ketidakberdayaan, dan isu perlindungan hewan liar, itu semua disorot jelas di tiap bab. Belum lagi latar suasananya sangat gloomy, berkabut, dan hujan bener-bener bikin emosi pundung tiap kali bolak balik halaman. Tapi genre misteri ceritanya juga bikin penasaran, ditambah perjuangan semua karakter di buku ini bikin suasana suram itu jadi timpang tindih sama tindakan mereka. Sepanjang baca, aku jadi heran, dan berakhir merasa slump begitu sampai di ending. Intinya buku ini sangat kontradiksi, jadi kalau penasaran, usahakan baca disaat kondisi mental kalian aman ya gais😭🙏
January 2, 2026
Intinya adalah kisah Bonobo yang kesurupan manusia.
Jini mengalami kecelakaan setelah melakukan penyelamatan terhadap Jinny, seekor Bonobo yang melarikan diri setelah vila tempatnya terbakar. Ketika Jini sadar, ia berada di dalam tubuh Jinny, sementara tubuhnya terbaring koma di rumah sakit.
Dalam pelariannya, Jini bertemu Minju, seorang tunawisma yang bermalam di gunung di sekitar pusat konservasi, dan dengan bantuan Minju, Jini berusaha mencari cara untuk kembali ke tubuhnya dalam tiga hari.
Pertama, ini unik. Ini bukan bertukar tubuh antara Jini dan Jinny, melainkan Jini masuk ke dalam tubuh Jinny. Jadi, selain menyaksikan chaotic nya Jini mencoba berkomunikasi dengan Minju, ada juga ditampilin what it's like to be a bonobo among humans. Menakutkan, menyedihkan, emosional.
Aku suka, bagian ini karena kita ga cuma fokus sam masalahnya Jini, tapi juga tentang kehidupan Jinny sebelum ditangkap manusia. Memori masa lalu Jinny, kehidupannya di dunia luar, kehidupan luar biasa Bonobo yang ternyata sangat mirip dengan kehidupan sosial manusia.
Terus juga, di buku ini ada 3 pov kan, dari Jini, Minju, dan ingatan Jinny. Nah di ingatan Jinny ini juga, selain jadi tau bagaimana kehidupan Bonobo, ada juga realiti menyakitkan di mana kita diberi tahu betapa kejamnya penjualan hewan liar illegal itu.
Hal hal ini bikin karakteristik para tokohnya cukup nyampe. Apa yang mau disampaikan. Baik kebingungan Minju, keputusasaan Jini, dan ketakutan Jinny.
Sayangnya, di balik efek positif dari multiple pov nya, di awal baca, aku sempet slah mengira kalau itu sedang menceritakan Jini, ternyata Minju. Ga ada pembatas untuk pergantian pov nya, entah memang begini, atau karena ini format epub, dan saat itu pun aku belum tau kalau ada multiple pov. Tapi bab selanjutnya langsung gampang dibedain kok. Terus, aku suka sama chaotic dynamic antara Minju sama Jini wkwk BAYANGIN DIINTROGASI SAMA BONOBO WKWKWKWK
Meskipun bisa dibilang masuk fantasy, ending novel ini realistis sih. Like, happy ending, but not that happy juga. Tapi kek yeah, ngasih tau kalau ga semuanya bisa dipegang, ada yang harus dilepaskan juga. Dan juga, buku ini tuh cocok buat numbuhin simpati sama mahluk hidup lain, karena bumi ga cuma milik manusia.
Jini mengalami kecelakaan setelah melakukan penyelamatan terhadap Jinny, seekor Bonobo yang melarikan diri setelah vila tempatnya terbakar. Ketika Jini sadar, ia berada di dalam tubuh Jinny, sementara tubuhnya terbaring koma di rumah sakit.
Dalam pelariannya, Jini bertemu Minju, seorang tunawisma yang bermalam di gunung di sekitar pusat konservasi, dan dengan bantuan Minju, Jini berusaha mencari cara untuk kembali ke tubuhnya dalam tiga hari.
Pertama, ini unik. Ini bukan bertukar tubuh antara Jini dan Jinny, melainkan Jini masuk ke dalam tubuh Jinny. Jadi, selain menyaksikan chaotic nya Jini mencoba berkomunikasi dengan Minju, ada juga ditampilin what it's like to be a bonobo among humans. Menakutkan, menyedihkan, emosional.
Aku suka, bagian ini karena kita ga cuma fokus sam masalahnya Jini, tapi juga tentang kehidupan Jinny sebelum ditangkap manusia. Memori masa lalu Jinny, kehidupannya di dunia luar, kehidupan luar biasa Bonobo yang ternyata sangat mirip dengan kehidupan sosial manusia.
Terus juga, di buku ini ada 3 pov kan, dari Jini, Minju, dan ingatan Jinny. Nah di ingatan Jinny ini juga, selain jadi tau bagaimana kehidupan Bonobo, ada juga realiti menyakitkan di mana kita diberi tahu betapa kejamnya penjualan hewan liar illegal itu.
Hal hal ini bikin karakteristik para tokohnya cukup nyampe. Apa yang mau disampaikan. Baik kebingungan Minju, keputusasaan Jini, dan ketakutan Jinny.
Sayangnya, di balik efek positif dari multiple pov nya, di awal baca, aku sempet slah mengira kalau itu sedang menceritakan Jini, ternyata Minju. Ga ada pembatas untuk pergantian pov nya, entah memang begini, atau karena ini format epub, dan saat itu pun aku belum tau kalau ada multiple pov. Tapi bab selanjutnya langsung gampang dibedain kok. Terus, aku suka sama chaotic dynamic antara Minju sama Jini wkwk BAYANGIN DIINTROGASI SAMA BONOBO WKWKWKWK
Meskipun bisa dibilang masuk fantasy, ending novel ini realistis sih. Like, happy ending, but not that happy juga. Tapi kek yeah, ngasih tau kalau ga semuanya bisa dipegang, ada yang harus dilepaskan juga. Dan juga, buku ini tuh cocok buat numbuhin simpati sama mahluk hidup lain, karena bumi ga cuma milik manusia.
October 27, 2022
J'avais découvert cette autrice coréenne plus tôt cette année, avec Généalogie du mal, un roman noir que j'avais adoré. Je m'étais donc mise immédiatement à la recherche d'autres de ses ouvrages, traduits en français (malheureusement ils sont peu nombreux). J'ai tout de suite été intriguée par la trame narrative de Bonobo. Une jeune femme ayant consacré sa vie à l'étude des primates vient un soir au secours d'une jeune bonobo, alors que l'édifice dans laquelle elle est gardée en captivité prend feu. Sur le chemin en voiture, elles sont victimes d'un accident, qui a pour effet de projeter l'esprit de la jeune femme dans le corps de la bonobo. Nous la suivrons ensuite dans ses péripéties afin de réintégrer son propre corps, gisant à l'hôpital entre la vie et la mort.
Derrière cet échange corps-esprit, qui représente le seul élément fantastique du roman, se cache bien sûr une réflexion intéressante sur la relation entre les humains et les animaux, ainsi que la maltraitance qui leur est souvent infligée. Mais au-delà de ça, il est aussi question plus largement de notre humanité, de peur, de mort, d'altruisme et des relations importantes que nous nouons avec les autres êtres vivants et qui ont le pouvoir de nous faire grandir.
Une des choses qui m'a aussi frappée dans le récit est la qualité des informations présentées sur ces fascinants primates. Pour complémenter ses recherches, l'autrice a dû voyager dans différents pays et s'entretenir avec de nombreux zoologues et spécialistes dans des centres de recherche et sanctuaire de bonobo. Et ça se sent!
Bonobo est une invitation à s'aventurer dans un univers singulier, une aventure originale qui espérons-le saura nous faire réfléchir, comme le souligne l'autrice, "au respect envers toute forme de vie".
Derrière cet échange corps-esprit, qui représente le seul élément fantastique du roman, se cache bien sûr une réflexion intéressante sur la relation entre les humains et les animaux, ainsi que la maltraitance qui leur est souvent infligée. Mais au-delà de ça, il est aussi question plus largement de notre humanité, de peur, de mort, d'altruisme et des relations importantes que nous nouons avec les autres êtres vivants et qui ont le pouvoir de nous faire grandir.
Une des choses qui m'a aussi frappée dans le récit est la qualité des informations présentées sur ces fascinants primates. Pour complémenter ses recherches, l'autrice a dû voyager dans différents pays et s'entretenir avec de nombreux zoologues et spécialistes dans des centres de recherche et sanctuaire de bonobo. Et ça se sent!
Bonobo est une invitation à s'aventurer dans un univers singulier, une aventure originale qui espérons-le saura nous faire réfléchir, comme le souligne l'autrice, "au respect envers toute forme de vie".
November 28, 2024
L'histoire se déroule très vite mais je trouve que la lecture est très très fluide. Pas beaucoup de personnages, un brin de fantastique mais une véritable vague d'émotions. La fin est belle, je recommande :)
Et j'ai appris plein de choses sur les singes! (surtout les Bonobo :D)
Et j'ai appris plein de choses sur les singes! (surtout les Bonobo :D)
July 21, 2019
역시 정유정 작가님입니다. 다음 소설도 기대해요.
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