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A review by inmydreams
娘娘腔 by 水千丞, Shui Qian Cheng
5.0
This wasn't the second time I went back to this novel, but it is the second time that I did it from start to finish. Is it strange that such dark story has become almost like a comfort to me, but I realized it is to me. Despite how crude it is, it's also a realistic take on a dynamic with high power imbalance, which is something I still look for in other books but none have managed what this one did and it's the reason it's one of my favorite novels ever.
In this opportunity, I listened to the audio drama again instead of rereading. I chose to because at that moment I was in a slump and was tired of reading words, and while I used subtitles this was perfect to keep my attention after DNF-ing many books in a row. I also wanted to revisit this plot and I have to admit I had forgotten some important stuff, so it's great to be conscious now of certain moments that my mind had erased.
I keep the same thoughts as my original review, but I never mentioned how the audio drama changes a bit of the dialogues (the most rough ones got censored) and the ending of the main story also felt more hopeful than the actual novel. Almost like a HEA. I was satified anyway because thankfully LCX never becomes OOC.
One thing that bothered me was revisiting comments from some listeners that think LCX cried too much during the story. To this day I argue that he actually could've cried more considering everything that happened to him, and he is in fact the strongest MCs I've ever encountered, or at least one of them.
I won't be going back to this any soon because I want to let it stay in my mind for as long as possible and then start again so that I have a similar feeling to my first reading. I'd do anything to have the same exact first experience.
---
Original review:
Non official english title: Sissy (also known as Niang Niang Qiang). Lenght: 78 chapters + 5 extras.
Can't believe it's been two years since the first time I read this and it is still on my mind, I reread parts of it countless times to this day which is incredible because I don't usually go back to any book. I never wrote a review for this one despite how big of an impact it had on me but since I just finished Additional Inheritance (part of the 188 universe), I feel obliged to do it. No other book I've read so far has made me feel literal chills.
The story follows Li Chengxiu, a poor and timid guy who has been on his own since he was young. He's had a very difficult life. One day, he reunites with someone from his past, a very rich and powerful CEO. Said person is Shao Qun, his first love, both meeting for the first time since highschool. Li Chengxiu doesn't want anything to do with him after what happened in his younger years and tries to avoid him, but Shao Qun isn't someone that has ever accepted a rejection, so he won't allow Li Chengxiu to turn away from him.
The novel is a very well constructed depiction of an. I actually think it is one of the very few books where its effects aren't ignored but explored and their presence is maintained through the entire novel. It feels real, because as such cases in real life, it is not easy to get free from it, especially for someone with very little power. The author does a great job at adding elements that reflect modern society.
About the characters, Li Chengxiu is one of my most beloved MCs ever. Despite what some people think, I consider that he is one of the best written SQC's characters. He starts off as a highschooler suffering from bullying due to his appearance and personality. He looks femenine, cries frequently, isn't interested in girls and has a speech problem, which makes his classmates gang up agaisnt him as he is the "weak one". However, he is everything but that. He is caring, kind, attentive and protective of his love ones, to the point of sacrificing himself in order to avoid them from getting hurt.
It makes me angry to see some people call LCX stupid and whiny. In reality, he is very resiliant and despite not being the type to fight back, he learns to always stand up again and to try his best to life in peace. Unfortuntaly, he also believes people don't have bad intentions, one of his fatal flaws. Here enters Shao Qun, who is basically every bad word used to describe someone. I don't really want to elaborate on him because he is a piece of shit period, no explanation needed lol.
One strong element I really enjoyed from this novel despite its crudeness is the exploration of such high power imbalance. Shao Qun and Li Chengxiu live in different worlds. While one is sat in the highest pedestal, the other is at the very bottom. Shao Qun comes from a powerful family, while Li Chengxiu doesn't have any support until much later, and even that isn't enough to fight back. Shao Qun is also very rich and privileged, but Li Chengxiu never had financial estability and the little he had is taken away as well. It is devastating to see the differences clashing and declare a clear winner.
The ending wraps it up in an expected but. The extras tell a different angle though and the one thing that left me . It is bittersweet.
Tags: (might miss some of them)
-POV: third person
-Content warnings:
a parent
-Elements:
-Kinks:
-Sexual act(s):
-Dynamic:
In this opportunity, I listened to the audio drama again instead of rereading. I chose to because at that moment I was in a slump and was tired of reading words, and while I used subtitles this was perfect to keep my attention after DNF-ing many books in a row. I also wanted to revisit this plot and I have to admit I had forgotten some important stuff, so it's great to be conscious now of certain moments that my mind had erased.
I keep the same thoughts as my original review, but I never mentioned how the audio drama changes a bit of the dialogues (the most rough ones got censored) and the ending of the main story also felt more hopeful than the actual novel. Almost like a HEA. I was satified anyway because thankfully LCX never becomes OOC.
One thing that bothered me was revisiting comments from some listeners that think LCX cried too much during the story. To this day I argue that he actually could've cried more considering everything that happened to him, and he is in fact the strongest MCs I've ever encountered, or at least one of them.
I won't be going back to this any soon because I want to let it stay in my mind for as long as possible and then start again so that I have a similar feeling to my first reading. I'd do anything to have the same exact first experience.
---
Original review:
Non official english title: Sissy (also known as Niang Niang Qiang). Lenght: 78 chapters + 5 extras.
Can't believe it's been two years since the first time I read this and it is still on my mind, I reread parts of it countless times to this day which is incredible because I don't usually go back to any book. I never wrote a review for this one despite how big of an impact it had on me but since I just finished Additional Inheritance (part of the 188 universe), I feel obliged to do it. No other book I've read so far has made me feel literal chills.
The story follows Li Chengxiu, a poor and timid guy who has been on his own since he was young. He's had a very difficult life. One day, he reunites with someone from his past, a very rich and powerful CEO. Said person is Shao Qun, his first love, both meeting for the first time since highschool. Li Chengxiu doesn't want anything to do with him after what happened in his younger years and tries to avoid him, but Shao Qun isn't someone that has ever accepted a rejection, so he won't allow Li Chengxiu to turn away from him.
The novel is a very well constructed depiction of an
Spoiler
abusive relationshipAbout the characters, Li Chengxiu is one of my most beloved MCs ever. Despite what some people think, I consider that he is one of the best written SQC's characters. He starts off as a highschooler suffering from bullying due to his appearance and personality. He looks femenine, cries frequently, isn't interested in girls and has a speech problem, which makes his classmates gang up agaisnt him as he is the "weak one". However, he is everything but that. He is caring, kind, attentive and protective of his love ones, to the point of sacrificing himself in order to avoid them from getting hurt.
It makes me angry to see some people call LCX stupid and whiny. In reality, he is very resiliant and despite not being the type to fight back, he learns to always stand up again and to try his best to life in peace. Unfortuntaly, he also believes people don't have bad intentions, one of his fatal flaws. Here enters Shao Qun, who is basically every bad word used to describe someone. I don't really want to elaborate on him because he is a piece of shit period, no explanation needed lol.
One strong element I really enjoyed from this novel despite its crudeness is the exploration of such high power imbalance. Shao Qun and Li Chengxiu live in different worlds. While one is sat in the highest pedestal, the other is at the very bottom. Shao Qun comes from a powerful family, while Li Chengxiu doesn't have any support until much later, and even that isn't enough to fight back. Shao Qun is also very rich and privileged, but Li Chengxiu never had financial estability and the little he had is taken away as well. It is devastating to see the differences clashing and declare a clear winner.
The ending wraps it up in an expected but
Spoiler
sad outcome for LCX, a HFN that seems contradictory in definition. While the couple ends up together, it isn't a real happy ending, because it consists of one person forcing the other to give up, and MC became exhausted with no resources, so he doesSpoiler
feeling a bit less heartbroken is that at the very least, Li Chengxiu is happy with his son and Shao Qun cannot go again his wishes again. He does treat him better after that which is the bare minimun, but I am glad that he doesn't live everyday in fear anymoreTags: (might miss some of them)
-POV: third person
-Content warnings:
Spoiler
noncon, kidnapping, bullying, cheating, blackmail/coercion, homophobia, house arrest, abuse, sexual harassment, stalking, resource control, domestic violence (emotionally, almost got physically), forced parenting (all of these between MCs), abusive relationship, attempted sexual assault by others, classism, sexism, death ofa parent
-Elements:
Spoiler
second chance, angst, size difference, whump, sort of love triangle at one point, more than one guy interested in MC-Kinks:
Spoiler
dirty talk, just the tip, somnophilia, virginity-Sexual act(s):
Spoiler
barebacking, creampie, blowjobs, facial, intercrural/thigh sex, riding, rimming-Dynamic: