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hue's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
There's just something so remarkable in the way Mieko Kawakami writes. I'm so enveloped in her world at first word. To think none of these people are real. I can't wrap my head around it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Vomit, Car accident, and Alcohol
charlereads's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
gillthequill's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
When reading this novel, I kept feeling like I was on the verge of some great truth. Like this work was saying something profound, in it's sometimes preaching monologues, hidden in those small details (like the perfume). But I kept getting the impression, despite the excellent writing, this work was not for me. I'm not sure who it is for. It felt like there wasn't a clear lesson, clear takeaway, clear goal I could find. There were themes, yes, of depression, mental illness, societal expectations, how beholden we are to other's opinions, and being a woman in society (especially Japanese society). It felt like capital G Great Literature some high school student may have to read one day. I left with mixed feelings but I don't necessarily regret reading the work, if alone for how wonderfully written it was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Alcohol
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Sexism
naisdayz's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
As someone dealing with loneliness and depression, this really helped me feel more seen. I love Kawakami's writing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
lilureads's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I dont know how exactly to rate this book
I loved seeing Fuyuko’s development throughout the book and I think it did a good job at portraying loneliness and the difference between every individual’s human experience.
It touches upon a plethora of subjects such as misogyny, loneliness, suicide, relationships, spirituality, SA and rape. I would even say that maybe it touches upon too many subjects? While many scenes in the book that treat a specific topic has a reflection of its counterpart later in the story, some points are still left open ended.
I do feel like womanhood could have been explored more thoroughly, being only mentionedwhen Fuyuko enters the bookstore and her conversation with her old friend. But then again, those two are counterparts of each other. In the bookstore, Fuyuko reads about all the things a woman supposedly needs to feel fulfilled, like getting married and having children, but when meeting Noriko we see how it is not a guarantee for happiness? There is no real conclusion or moral to the portrayal of both sides of the coin. Kawakami shows us all these different paths and choices, but doesn’t label one as the best or the better choice. She just shows us the endless ways of being human, of being a woman.
While I can appreciate the literary value of this book, I did not connect with it as deeply as I hoped. It was very slow paced and felt very long despite it being only 220 pages.
It did made me cry so kudos for that
I loved seeing Fuyuko’s development throughout the book and I think it did a good job at portraying loneliness and the difference between every individual’s human experience.
It touches upon a plethora of subjects such as misogyny, loneliness, suicide, relationships, spirituality, SA and rape. I would even say that maybe it touches upon too many subjects? While many scenes in the book that treat a specific topic has a reflection of its counterpart later in the story, some points are still left open ended.
I do feel like womanhood could have been explored more thoroughly, being only mentioned
While I can appreciate the literary value of this book, I did not connect with it as deeply as I hoped. It was very slow paced and felt very long despite it being only 220 pages.
It did made me cry so kudos for that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Vomit, and Alcohol
Minor: Suicide
torismazarine's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Pregnancy
333amreen's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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
3.5
The first half of the book felt REALLY slow paced (and it was!) but the latter half really caught me in (though it was just as, if not more slow) but what was different was the emotional connection I'd built with the characters! While this book can be found boring & uneventful by some (like past me) In hindsight, there's actually SO MUCH you can take from it if you you keep an open mind when reading this one, instead of constantly thinking "ugh, what's going on?" I now completely understand why someone on yt said it's a must read for when you're in your 20s. I COULDN'T AGREE MORE‼️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
zrinka's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Rape, and Alcohol
just_emem's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really wanted to Love this book, I almost gave it a lower rating, but stopped myself because there were definitely moments that stood out to me. I dunno, ask me what I think about this in like 20 years, hopefully I'll know by then.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Alcohol
softbooknerd's review
emotional
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Alcohol