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francienolans's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really loved this book. Usually I’m hit or miss with short stories but these were so good. Something about the way the author writes made it fast paced and easy to get through and enjoyable. I enjoyed each story.
chicagobelle's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
chelsaat's review against another edition
4.0
"Odd how that Darcy kid even speaks Japanese in a monotone."
The Gist: The first half is a collection of short stories and personal essays by Yamashita about what life is like as a sansei (a third-generation Japanese American). The second half is short adaptations of Jane Austen’s novels set amongst the Japanese-American community in the 60s and 70s.
My Thoughts: I really loved both halves of this book! The personal stories were quite lovely, and there was only one I didn’t fully grasp. “Bombay Gin” was my favorite - the melancholy mixed with humor was a perfect balance.
The Jane Austen stories were just super fun. They’re a bit heavier on the social commentary than the romance, which was a bit of a bummer for this romance Austen fan, but overall I thought the adaptation choices were really clever.
The Gist: The first half is a collection of short stories and personal essays by Yamashita about what life is like as a sansei (a third-generation Japanese American). The second half is short adaptations of Jane Austen’s novels set amongst the Japanese-American community in the 60s and 70s.
My Thoughts: I really loved both halves of this book! The personal stories were quite lovely, and there was only one I didn’t fully grasp. “Bombay Gin” was my favorite - the melancholy mixed with humor was a perfect balance.
The Jane Austen stories were just super fun. They’re a bit heavier on the social commentary than the romance, which was a bit of a bummer for this romance Austen fan, but overall I thought the adaptation choices were really clever.
jbrendanshaw's review against another edition
3.0
A collection of stories spanning Yamashita's entire career which makes for an interesting window into the progression of her focus on the experiences of multiple generations of Japanese Americans, the long shadow of internment, the importance of memory, and the afterlives of objects. The second half is comprised of (mostly new to this collection) reimaginings of Austen's novels cast with 1960s Japanese Americans with the romantic plots deflated intentionally. This is a spiky mix of stories that move from the straightforward to essayistic pieces which blend history and personal experience in a heady brew. This is not a collection that can be ready quickly but I would recommend reading it slowly - the first half does provide helpful historical context for the Austen stories in the second half.
librarybookmum_budgettales's review against another edition
2.0
I have to say that I was disappointed. It was not what I was expecting, even the Austen half of the book didn't save it. I struggled to understand what was going on a lot of the time and so I only finished it because I felt that I had to. I secretly hoped that it would get better. It didn't. I can understand that some people may appreciate the writing and follow what was going on, but it wasn't for me.
mklong's review against another edition
DNF-50%
No rating because I don't think that's fair when I didn't finish the book, but I wouldn't recommend this
No rating because I don't think that's fair when I didn't finish the book, but I wouldn't recommend this
oliverclarke's review against another edition
Split into 2 parts, Sansei and Sensibility is a collection of short stories focused mainly on Japanese-American history, culture and identity. And while a little hit and miss, enjoyable overall.
The first half (Sansei) are stories (both fictional and memoir/non fiction) centred on the Japanese diaspora in both the US and Brazil, and discusses issues such as Japanese Internment during WW2 as well as cultural staples such as bathing, natto and Marie Kondo, all framed from the perspective of the Japanese Immigrant generations: Issei (1st gen), Nisei (2nd gen) and Sansei (3rd gen). I found this really interesting as I haven’t been exposed to this concept before and didn’t really know about the important role it has in the Japanese-American immigrant experience, I guess it parallels how we define generations such as boomers, gen X and millennials etc., but I enjoyed it more as it felt like less of a meme (ok boomer ;)) and showed actual historical value.
The second half (Sensibility) was a collection of stories based on the books by Jane Austen, reframed with a Japanese context. I enjoyed them, but found them to be a little bit of a random addition (even though that’s what initially drew me into the book in the first place.) While they were entertaining on a whole, I did find in isolation the stories to be a bit drab, lacking that Jane Austen wit. That being said I did enjoy Yamashita’s writing throughout, felt super unique and modern, and her creativity is super exciting.
Favourite stories were A Gentleman’s Agreement, Kiss of Kitty and Colono:Scopy from Sansei. Emi (Emma) and Omaki-san (Lady Susan) from Sensibility.
The first half (Sansei) are stories (both fictional and memoir/non fiction) centred on the Japanese diaspora in both the US and Brazil, and discusses issues such as Japanese Internment during WW2 as well as cultural staples such as bathing, natto and Marie Kondo, all framed from the perspective of the Japanese Immigrant generations: Issei (1st gen), Nisei (2nd gen) and Sansei (3rd gen). I found this really interesting as I haven’t been exposed to this concept before and didn’t really know about the important role it has in the Japanese-American immigrant experience, I guess it parallels how we define generations such as boomers, gen X and millennials etc., but I enjoyed it more as it felt like less of a meme (ok boomer ;)) and showed actual historical value.
The second half (Sensibility) was a collection of stories based on the books by Jane Austen, reframed with a Japanese context. I enjoyed them, but found them to be a little bit of a random addition (even though that’s what initially drew me into the book in the first place.) While they were entertaining on a whole, I did find in isolation the stories to be a bit drab, lacking that Jane Austen wit. That being said I did enjoy Yamashita’s writing throughout, felt super unique and modern, and her creativity is super exciting.
Favourite stories were A Gentleman’s Agreement, Kiss of Kitty and Colono:Scopy from Sansei. Emi (Emma) and Omaki-san (Lady Susan) from Sensibility.
foreverinastory's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was all right, but a majority of it didn't hold my attention.
Rep: All characters were Japanese, or Japanese-American.
CWs: Death, confinement, grief, infidelity, xenophobia, discussion and mentions of Japanese internment in the USA, and WWII.
Rep: All characters were Japanese, or Japanese-American.
CWs: Death, confinement, grief, infidelity, xenophobia, discussion and mentions of Japanese internment in the USA, and WWII.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Xenophobia, and Grief
sophronisba's review against another edition
3.0
I was not the intended audience for this book. Not my cuppa, despite the Jane connection (which I was genuinely intrigued by).