Reviews

The River Ki by Sawako Ariyoshi

yaizaps's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

hnamfw's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25

The first book I read in a long time. I deeply loved and admired Hana. I felt very calm while reading it and I learned so much about womanhood in Japan in the 20th century. 

carrotchimera's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

2.75

irmgardk's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

greyzone27's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

You can only marry daughters in the direction the river flows for so many generations before the maternal line is swept away by the vastness of the ocean and the intrusion of the world into the sphere of family.

jcubifer's review against another edition

emotional informative lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

5.0

flogcm's review against another edition

emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

ninjamuse's review

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Misogyny, Sexism, Dementia, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Child abuse

lisss's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

dasandryne's review against another edition

5.0

J'ai adoré la description des changements sociaux survenus au Japon du XXième siècle à travers 4 générations de femmes de la même famille. J'ai trouvé la compassion de l'autrice envers ses propres personnages agréable et touchante même si j'en ai perçu un peu plus pour les femmes aux valeurs plus traditionnelles (ce qui est surprenant connaissant la réputation de l'autrice). J'ai particulièrement aimé la réflexion sur le système patriarcal japonais encourageant les femmes à couper les ponts avec leur propre famille lorsqu'elles sont adoptées par celle de leur époux. Les évènements historiques (particulièrement la guerre) et leurs impactes sur la société sont également très intéressants. J'aurais aimé qu'on s'attache un peu moins au point de vu d'Hana pour découvrir plus celui de Fumio (plus moderne) car j'ai l'impression que la narration présentait un peu trop ses idéologies modernes de façon négative.