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zezeki's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
ivannaalba's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
"The perfect number 28" T^T🤍 Such a beautiful and comforting read.
debicates's review against another edition
4.0
This lovely novel ticks off so many of my "what makes a novel enjoyable" checklist.
It's a thrill when a story begins with a premise one can't help but ponder. Oh my, just how would it be to be a housekeeper who must re-introduce herself to the professor every morning due to his short-term memory loss? What must it be like to be the professor, to be able to recall life before his accident but after that only the last 80 minutes?
He struggles every morning to simply re-emerge into the current world, decades beyond his last memory in 1975. Luckily he has the love of and excellent mind for numbers to give him continuity. The housekeeper struggles to make a simple living for her and her son and must please the demands of ever-changing homeowners assigned to her by her employment agency. While the professor doesn't care much about housekeeping, instead she must introduce herself and her son to him every day simply to gain entry. Never mind what happened or what was discussed the day before.
Somehow these three vulnerable, struggling people forge a friendship they build anew each morning.
Ogawa creates a world I looked forward to going to, of a run-down cottage in Japan, of walks with cherry blossoms fluttering down, of a thunder storm arriving right at dusk -- all that stuff that I crave. I want novels that are not just about humans blathering at one another, but also about places with weather, trees, and dusty windowsills.
And then the Math! Prime numbers are everywhere and, with Ogawa's deft and lyrical writing, for days I was transported into the wonderment of prime numbers. Near the end there is one special intriguing formula revealed. Squee! What's not to love?
Recently, I read another novel from Japan, my first: [b:Kokoro|762476|Kokoro|Natsume Sōseki|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327991553l/762476._SY75_.jpg|1977713]. These two couldn't be more different. Honestly, I resented almost every minute spent with the unhappy, selfish characters there. When I finished it, I worried Japanese novels were not to my taste.
I'm so very glad I didn't stop there. I have a new book to add to my "Best Loved" shelf.
It's a thrill when a story begins with a premise one can't help but ponder. Oh my, just how would it be to be a housekeeper who must re-introduce herself to the professor every morning due to his short-term memory loss? What must it be like to be the professor, to be able to recall life before his accident but after that only the last 80 minutes?
He struggles every morning to simply re-emerge into the current world, decades beyond his last memory in 1975. Luckily he has the love of and excellent mind for numbers to give him continuity. The housekeeper struggles to make a simple living for her and her son and must please the demands of ever-changing homeowners assigned to her by her employment agency. While the professor doesn't care much about housekeeping, instead she must introduce herself and her son to him every day simply to gain entry. Never mind what happened or what was discussed the day before.
Somehow these three vulnerable, struggling people forge a friendship they build anew each morning.
Ogawa creates a world I looked forward to going to, of a run-down cottage in Japan, of walks with cherry blossoms fluttering down, of a thunder storm arriving right at dusk -- all that stuff that I crave. I want novels that are not just about humans blathering at one another, but also about places with weather, trees, and dusty windowsills.
And then the Math! Prime numbers are everywhere and, with Ogawa's deft and lyrical writing, for days I was transported into the wonderment of prime numbers. Near the end there is one special intriguing formula revealed. Squee! What's not to love?
Recently, I read another novel from Japan, my first: [b:Kokoro|762476|Kokoro|Natsume Sōseki|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327991553l/762476._SY75_.jpg|1977713]. These two couldn't be more different. Honestly, I resented almost every minute spent with the unhappy, selfish characters there. When I finished it, I worried Japanese novels were not to my taste.
I'm so very glad I didn't stop there. I have a new book to add to my "Best Loved" shelf.
yew676's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
aparnaak's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.5
karatechoptime's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so sweet. I thought of my dad the whole time. Not much happens. It’s beautiful and sad, and very kind.
gosia03's review against another edition
5.0
nie jest to książka mojego życia, ale była cudowna, delikatna i rozczulająca
DODATKOWYM + były dla mnie wstawki z ciekawostkami matematycznymi (jako dla humanistki, która tęskni za matematyką i liczbami)
DODATKOWYM + były dla mnie wstawki z ciekawostkami matematycznymi (jako dla humanistki, która tęskni za matematyką i liczbami)
annieb_rxer's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely story set in Japan about a Professor needing a housekeeper because of a traumatic head injury. His memory only lady 80 minutes. The housekeeper has a son . Once the Professor learns of the Housekeeper’s son they are introduced and develop a relationship over their love of baseball. This , I believe, is a story about what makes a family.
i3purin's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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