remmusreglof's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
pjv1013's review against another edition
3.0
Existe algo de contemplativo, reflexivo e introspectivo na prosa de Kawabata que me atrai. Esta foi a segunda obra do autor que li. Foi uma leitura desigual mas que não foi particularmente interessante. Senti mesmo que, enquanto leitor me perdi... Tenho que ler mais algum livro do autor a ver se reaproximo da sua escrita.
vinsoo03's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
lewisboyd's review
3.0
There's undeniable beauty in Kawabata's writing, but also a poetic aversion to storytelling that results in this book being a meandering combination of delicately crafted prose with muddled and opaque dialogue.
maureenpris's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
lowleveldrone's review
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lokster71's review against another edition
5.0
A beautifully written short novel. This is the first book I've read by Kawabata and I absolutely want to read more. It is the story of Komako, a geisha living in the mountains and Shimamura, a married Tokyo rich boy. It's a doomed love story. Doomed because Shimamura seems incapable of reciprocating Komako's feelings. Perhaps once, but as the book goes on he seems to find himself less enamoured. Distracted partly by Yoko, who is almost a peripheral character but whose presence starts and ends the book.
They're style of communication is at odds with each other. There's a point where Komako says something and Shimamura can't really process it: "That straightforward manner, so replete with direct, immediate feeling, was quite foreign to Shimamura, the idler who had inherited his money."(p. 90)
I made a note that said Shimamura is a bit of a twat. He seems to be one of those aimless wealthy men who temporarily fall in love with women and then stop. They don't care too much about the woman they get involved with who might actually fall in love with them. Perhaps I'm being harsh, because Shimamura seems to be 'empty'. Emptiness comes up a few times and perhaps he is trying to find a way to fill that emptiness?
The writing though - translated by Edward G Seidensticker in 1956 - is delightful, especially the description of landscape. It feels emotionally not unlike the kind of British films made in the 30s/40s. Where men never properly express their emotions. It's all about appearances.
What more can I say?
They're style of communication is at odds with each other. There's a point where Komako says something and Shimamura can't really process it: "That straightforward manner, so replete with direct, immediate feeling, was quite foreign to Shimamura, the idler who had inherited his money."(p. 90)
I made a note that said Shimamura is a bit of a twat. He seems to be one of those aimless wealthy men who temporarily fall in love with women and then stop. They don't care too much about the woman they get involved with who might actually fall in love with them. Perhaps I'm being harsh, because Shimamura seems to be 'empty'. Emptiness comes up a few times and perhaps he is trying to find a way to fill that emptiness?
The writing though - translated by Edward G Seidensticker in 1956 - is delightful, especially the description of landscape. It feels emotionally not unlike the kind of British films made in the 30s/40s. Where men never properly express their emotions. It's all about appearances.
What more can I say?
shanviolinlove's review
4.0
Slow, meditative. This book takes its time to observe its natural surroundings, the sounds and colors. Snow Country is a novel about transience, be it a face in a window or a love affair. Several times the dialogue felt unnatural to me, but I am a Western reader of this Eastern text. Kawabata showcases everyday details to illuminate their beauty and heartache. I will be looking out for more of his work.
mindduckbooks's review
check out our discoussion about this book on our podcast. We were not as thrilled as we were hoping to be. Actually, this is the only book so far after 20 episodes on our podcast that we would not recommend.
Mind duck books podcast ep 19: https://bit.ly/3bLXKea
Mind duck books podcast ep 19: https://bit.ly/3bLXKea