Gave this a four because I think it deserves four for the art and the way the subject matter was executed, but I'm not sure how much I liked it. I think I like the idea of this story and I liked how female sexuality wasn't portrayed as a bad thing. I also loved that the mother and daughter were so close and loving instead of always fighting with each other. But I'm also a little creeped out because it was written by a man, so every interaction between the mother and the daughter has an erotic undertone. I'm sure he meant well, but I was still like meeeeh.I'll probably finish the series, just because they're so easy to read, but I'm not super hooked. The tone of the story was too mellow and dreamy for me. I'd have to be in a mood to really enjoy it, I think. I enjoyed this books for its merits in regards to adolescent development. I see Ewha undergoing many different developmental tasks to some degree. Throughout the book Ewha is learning about her identity as a woman and also as an individual, this in one way was illustrated in Ewha contemplating what flower represented her. Also, with each new chapter, Ewha is developing intellectually, she comes to understand more about her body and other "universal truths" about her gender told to her by her mother. I really loved the relationship between Ewha and her mother. I think Ewha's intimacy development is, in part shown through her developing relationship with her mother, as Ewha grows their relationship grows more intimate. Ewha's new feelings for the young monk and then young Master Sunoo also demonstrate the developmental task or intimacy. In terms of integrity, the most profound image of this is, for me, after Ewha leaves Bongsoon's house and comes to the realization that "Because I asked something I shouldn't have asked, I heard something I have heard. And because I went where I shouldn't have gone, I saw what I shouldn't have seen. How will my young heart cope with all that I've heard and seen?"I see the experience of Ewha discovering the happenings between Boongsoon and Dongchul, helps Ewha discover and what she values and thus develops her integrity. Finally, Ewha's independence develops throughout as she continually grows. Ewha knows that one day she will leave her mother , and her mother prepares her by teaching her more life lessons needed for independence every passing year. In terms of the book's artistic merits, I thought that the two different artwork styles work beautifully together! Each piece of art was so interesting, captivating, and even thought-provoking. The usage of the classic Korean style provided a lot of intricate and lovely detail. Also, it helped set the distant Korean setting and illustrated for the reader many fine points of Korean culture. The lyrical tone of the text was well depicted in the classic Korean style artwork. The usage of the more casual manga style was fun, humorous, and still provided distinct characterization. Though this style was more "casual" I thought that each character had very distinct and witty expressions.
What do You think about Warna Tanah (2003)?
Very good story of discovering sexuality and coming of age.
—olfr0601
