fantasmariana's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 estrellas
Esta es una fan account de Banana Yoshimoto, así que mucha objetividad en esta reseña no hay. Me pareció un libro precioso en el que se explora el duelo (como en muchas otras de sus historias) pero también la relación madre-hija, el autodescubrimiento y el sentimiento de pertenencia a un lugar. El padre de Yo-chan ha muerto en un homicidio-suicidio con su amante. Aunque tanto ella como su madre están dolidas, el proceso de aceptación es completamente distinto para cada una, pues no es lo mismo perder un padre que un esposo y menos en una situación tan truculenta. Subrayé medio libro por las frases y sentimientos llegadores que Banana logra expresar como nadie. Me enamoré del barrio de Shimokitazawa y de las descripciones de sus calles, sus restaurantes, su ambiente. Como fan de lo spooky, la verdad esperaba un poco más de esas llamadas del inframundo y background de la amante siniestra, pero entiendo que ese no era el enfoque del libro. Se me cayó un poco el final con una decisión que toma la protagonista junto con un amigo del papá... Pero fuera de eso, lo amé.
Esta es una fan account de Banana Yoshimoto, así que mucha objetividad en esta reseña no hay. Me pareció un libro precioso en el que se explora el duelo (como en muchas otras de sus historias) pero también la relación madre-hija, el autodescubrimiento y el sentimiento de pertenencia a un lugar. El padre de Yo-chan ha muerto en un homicidio-suicidio con su amante. Aunque tanto ella como su madre están dolidas, el proceso de aceptación es completamente distinto para cada una, pues no es lo mismo perder un padre que un esposo y menos en una situación tan truculenta. Subrayé medio libro por las frases y sentimientos llegadores que Banana logra expresar como nadie. Me enamoré del barrio de Shimokitazawa y de las descripciones de sus calles, sus restaurantes, su ambiente. Como fan de lo spooky, la verdad esperaba un poco más de esas llamadas del inframundo y background de la amante siniestra, pero entiendo que ese no era el enfoque del libro. Se me cayó un poco el final con una decisión que toma la protagonista junto con un amigo del papá... Pero fuera de eso, lo amé.
cebolla's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so simply written, yet so deep, it felt like walking on ten feet of snow. The translation felt a little wonky and it could have used a more thorough editing job, but the character growth and the way it made me feel more than made up for it.
jackalop3's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mundinova's review
3.0
If someone had asked me how I'd spent this period in my life, I'd have said I'd done nothing in particular. It had all felt like a dream.
A touching story about dealing with sudden death, but suffers from a poor translation.
This is my first Banana book and I enjoyed it an average amount. I might have enjoyed it more if the translation was better. So many things just didn't make sense. Characters saying something normal, then another character laughing hysterically at a joke or turn of phrase that didn't translate at all. Luckily I have a friend who helped me with one scene (thanks, Martin!), but if you don't have someone to help you out ... well, things are going to be missed.
Outside of the poor translation, this is a beautiful mother/daughter story. As children we see our parents a certain way. It's a special transition in anyone's life when you get to know a parent as a friend. But other than that, the story is a little boring. Not much really happens. This is an emotional journey, not a fast paced action drama.
I found all of Yocchan's emotions believable for a young woman who likes organizing her understanding of the world through words (which another character uses to describe her). She may have a wisdom slightly beyond her years, but the expected poor/growing-as-a-person choices are still there.
Story: 2 stars
Character Development: 4 stars
Writing/Prose (translation): 2 stars
jademb's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
julskz's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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? N/A
3.25
variouspinks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
my first banana - she savors emotions, places, feelings, wondering, community, curiosity, and - most of all in this novel - the comfort of food. <3
bchang's review against another edition
4.25
i seriously love the writing in this book and the way banana writes about grief and how it manifests into different aspects of someone’s life without their knowledge is so crazy to me?? I’m not sure I like the idea that yocchan decided to sleep with men that in some way had a connection to her father but for her it helped her come to terms with why she was pursing these relationships and how it helped her understand her grieving. with these relationships it also her acknowledge her growth as a women trying to navigate her life with the people she is loved by.
I think with bananas books, you really have to be in the mood to get through these books and a lot of the time while i was reading moshi moshi, I felt is was a slow start while trying to read but i would eventually get sucked into the story.
I think with bananas books, you really have to be in the mood to get through these books and a lot of the time while i was reading moshi moshi, I felt is was a slow start while trying to read but i would eventually get sucked into the story.