kienie's review
3.0
The rating would've been higher were it not for the almost random religious epiphany moment in the end. Yes, it came after a moment of grief, and yes it somewhat tied into threads of spirituality that existed throughout the book. Maybe I'm just frustrated because we're left with a what's portrayed as a profound moment - without experiencing its impact. We are just vaguely told there will be a change. What it is? Why now? How come this is the form in which it appeared? What does it mean that this is the first moment of actual supernatural apparition in a novel where such things have thus far been symbolic?
Other than the ending, which left me disappointed, the rest of the novel is comprised of vignettes from the life of Ellen. Her world was very different from mine, growing up, and thus very interesting to observe. A lot of times I was very afraid for her and her siblings, because they seemed to be in real danger. I was horrified by things she described in such simple, matter of fact ways. But the language was engaging. And while the perspective was limited and unreliable, that's what made the world so fascinating - there was no knowing if any of it was true at all.
I don't know if this is at all or in part autobiographical. I don't know that it matters to the success of the story.
Other than the ending, which left me disappointed, the rest of the novel is comprised of vignettes from the life of Ellen. Her world was very different from mine, growing up, and thus very interesting to observe. A lot of times I was very afraid for her and her siblings, because they seemed to be in real danger. I was horrified by things she described in such simple, matter of fact ways. But the language was engaging. And while the perspective was limited and unreliable, that's what made the world so fascinating - there was no knowing if any of it was true at all.
I don't know if this is at all or in part autobiographical. I don't know that it matters to the success of the story.
miam's review
4.0
Completely captures the feeling of being in Japan as an outsider-insider. Someone gave me this book when I was Ellen's age, about 10 or 11, and it was too much for me back then. I just remember reading the first couple of chapters and being horrified by some of the violent and sexual imagery that now seems pretty tame (even compared to later chapters). I almost gave the book away so many times but kept it for some reason--and now I'm glad I did.
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