Reviews with content warning for Grief - Die Tage in der Buchhandlung Morisaki

Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Die Tage in der Buchhandlung Morisaki by Satoshi Yagisawa

32 reviews

jhbandcats's review against another edition

informative reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I think I’m suffering from cultural dissonance - or maybe I just don’t get it. This Japanese book was so very Japanese that perhaps I was lost just because I found it unfamiliar.

Okay, first of all, as petty as this is, I am *really* annoyed that there are cats on the cover of the book but none in the story. I love books about books and the people who love them, but a book about a bookshop that included cats would have been just fabulous IMO.

Between the cover and a somewhat misleading description, I was expecting something else, and every time the book did what the author intended, I was left feeling bewildered. I’d thought the book was about a young woman, Takako, working in her uncle’s bookshop (with cats) but that was only the first half. The second half is about the reappearance of the uncle’s wife, missing these past five years. By then, though, Takako has moved out so the bookshop is no longer as much a part of the story. Then there’s some misdirection (in both the description and the plot) about Takako’s romantic life. Again I was left feeling bewildered.

Overall I especially enjoyed that this story was a love letter to books, bookshops, and book lovers. It just wasn’t at all what I expected. I’m sure I’d have appreciated it much more had I not read the description and had there been no deceptive cats on the cover. False advertising!

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eve_kadou's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-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? N/A

3.0

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mandoriin's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted relaxing fast-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

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my_weird_bookish_heart's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-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

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erynlasbelin's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

I really enjoyed the first part of the book, which was set in the bookstore and focused on Takako's relationship with her uncle and her burgeoning love of reading. The second half had some bright spots, particularly her interactions with Wada; but it was much weaker overall. I really disliked the aunt. I have sympathy for her, and I realize there are probably some cultural differences at play here, but I found literally all of her behavior unacceptable.

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johndenver's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

perfectly written like a ghibli movie. feels like i'm being wrapped in a blanket

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kuronekostea's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? It's complicated

3.5

Normally I am not a fan of cozy books, but this novel was a pleasant surprise. The novel has a decent pace and doesn't drag on like some cozy novels I have read. There is enough family/relationship drama that keeps the story interesting with out being too overwhelming. The focus shifts from the main character to her uncle and I would say they both get an equal spotlight in their problems and growth through the story. The focus is predominantly on the characters and their relationships with out any real plot line aside from personal growth and healing. Very cute! Would recommend for a cozy coffee day.

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