merbearmer's review
3.0
I found this book to be a little frustrating to get through. The main character was really detached from his sister, the people around him, and even his investigation into his SISTER'S MURDER (not a spoiler, it was in the description) but this absolutely could be a result of culture clash. I also felt like the book kind of dragged on and gave too many irrelevant details, whereas the final reveal felt really rushed (and some parts seemed pretty obvious, while others seemed very random).
soyso's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
meermollusk's review
3.0
I waffled for awhile on what to rate this one. At its best, this is a moving story about a brother trying to delve deeper into his recently deceased sister's life and rediscovering their relationship. All of the flashbacks between Ren and his sister I loved and Goenawan's raw, simple writing style added to the
incredible emotion of these scenes. The atmosphere of the novel was also extremely well done, I could picture every scene in my mind completely (and the food!), despite this story taking place in a fictional town.
However, this also tries to be a bit of a mystery novel and I feel like that's where it falters. At the beginning I was most interested in how Keiko (Ren's sister) died, but by about the middle I kind of stopped caring. Too many side characters were introduced simply for the purpose of supplying a tiny tidbit of information, and in my opinion the conclusion to this mystery just wasn't satisfying.
incredible emotion of these scenes. The atmosphere of the novel was also extremely well done, I could picture every scene in my mind completely (and the food!), despite this story taking place in a fictional town.
However, this also tries to be a bit of a mystery novel and I feel like that's where it falters. At the beginning I was most interested in how Keiko (Ren's sister) died, but by about the middle I kind of stopped caring. Too many side characters were introduced simply for the purpose of supplying a tiny tidbit of information, and in my opinion the conclusion to this mystery just wasn't satisfying.
foursythia's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book works for me, the way reading the entire book feels like it's constantly raining cold despite having read it in peak highest of summer makes me feel happy. I enjoy crime/mystery for the experience and not the plot, so maybe I'm not the best critic, but to me I'm genuinely curious & wondering about what happen to the sister; and did not expect the plot reveal at the end.
Seen some complaints about the writing style (that's said to mimic/heavily inspired by Murakami) but to me it doesn't come off that way; I guess Japanese literature share similar sentiments to us readers upon reading it is all. Terrific time enjoying this piece!
Seen some complaints about the writing style (that's said to mimic/heavily inspired by Murakami) but to me it doesn't come off that way; I guess Japanese literature share similar sentiments to us readers upon reading it is all. Terrific time enjoying this piece!
literarycaffeine's review
3.0
Rainbirds was both what I️ was expecting and not what I️ was expecting.
The story follows Ren Ishida. He lives in Tokyo while finishing a degree program. His older sister, Keiko, lives in the small town of Akakawa. Akakawa is a small, peaceful town where there is virtually no crime. That is, until Keiko is murdered and there are no leads. Ren travels to this small town to settle family matters, but ends up living Keiko’s life in order to understand her decisions and, ultimately, who murdered her. He teaches at the same cram school she taught at. He lives in the same house, the same room even, that Keiko lived in. He hangs out with the same people Keiko hung out with.
During this time, Ren learns much more about his sister than he’s ever known. He may even have more questions than answers.
I️ overall enjoyed this book. It held my interest and I️ looked forward to reading it each time I️ picked it up. The story was a little lackluster in details and I️ felt slightly disconnected from the characters. A couple times I️ had to go back to remember who was who. It also built up pretty slowly. Three stars it is.
The story follows Ren Ishida. He lives in Tokyo while finishing a degree program. His older sister, Keiko, lives in the small town of Akakawa. Akakawa is a small, peaceful town where there is virtually no crime. That is, until Keiko is murdered and there are no leads. Ren travels to this small town to settle family matters, but ends up living Keiko’s life in order to understand her decisions and, ultimately, who murdered her. He teaches at the same cram school she taught at. He lives in the same house, the same room even, that Keiko lived in. He hangs out with the same people Keiko hung out with.
During this time, Ren learns much more about his sister than he’s ever known. He may even have more questions than answers.
I️ overall enjoyed this book. It held my interest and I️ looked forward to reading it each time I️ picked it up. The story was a little lackluster in details and I️ felt slightly disconnected from the characters. A couple times I️ had to go back to remember who was who. It also built up pretty slowly. Three stars it is.
iditarod99's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
melly28's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
quokkaboba's review
3.0
3.5 ⭐️
it was a good read, the pace was slow but it didn’t made the reading boring. i was sort of surprised of the turning of events and how it ended, but i guess in a way it was a good and proper ending. just not the one i imagine. japanese novels have a different vibe to them which i really like.
it was a good read, the pace was slow but it didn’t made the reading boring. i was sort of surprised of the turning of events and how it ended, but i guess in a way it was a good and proper ending. just not the one i imagine. japanese novels have a different vibe to them which i really like.
c2pizza's review
4.0
This hit the right notes to spark nostalgia for the time I spent living in Japan. For that reason alone, 4 stars.
sungold's review
4.0
This book is, without doubt, a perfect bridge between Murakami and writers of similar flare but lesser status. Rainbirds, Clarissa Goenawan's first published book, reads much like a Murakami: abstract titles, complex relationships to strangers, familiar thematic elements (younger women with older men; youth abusing drugs and/or alcohol; strained family ties; supernatural interference)... With so much reminiscent of Murakami, the one piece that I felt could have been more embellished was the primary character's relationship to the stranger that visits his dreams. When one writes like a great, one must perform like that great; regardless of how Goenawan would like her work to be judged, Murakami is the standard she will be judged by.
Great read overall. Very pleased. Would recommend.
Great read overall. Very pleased. Would recommend.