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kateolivia's review against another edition
5.0
i was totally spellbound by this book—it's such high quality fiction! since finishing, i've already been thinking of shouji and the cast of characters. i'm definitely going to be on the lookout for more of clarissa goenawan's work, and i can't wait to recommend this to everyone i bump into on the street.
it was heading for my all-time favourites list but...the ending! i needed more! still 1000/5 though, lol.
it was heading for my all-time favourites list but...the ending! i needed more! still 1000/5 though, lol.
naddie_reads's review against another edition
wasn't in the mood for this so I'd rather not continue.
mobyskine's review against another edition
3.0
Having both Rainbirds and The Perfect World of Miwako Sumida as my fav making me a bit anticipated with Watersong. The narrative carried the same theme like the previous two; a mellow love story and mystery with a vivid exploration of loss, grief and intimate longing yet having a surreal setting that revolved on a superstition belief-- a warning that Shouji received by a fortune teller; to stay away from three women with water element in their names or else, he or the women perhaps, may drown.
Divided into three parts following the three women Shouji met, the plot threaded with a haunting backstory and a dreamlike aftermath after Shouji had to leave his girlfriend, Youko in Akakawa. From involving into an unexpected incident to living low for years because of the mysterious threats he received, the plot intertwined into Shouji's hidden past with few news clipping inserted in between chapters, a new girl that suddenly arrived and the mystery he needs to uncover about the missing Youko.
Not really a fan to the plot execution as it goes too slow pacing for me (I tend to procrastinate my reading because of the pacing tsk~). Quite ambiguous and monotonous, having immaculate and melancholic nuances yet the subtlety was quite tedious for my liking. I don't feel much on the development as the tension and conflicts were lightly riveting, and as for the mystery-- I have my curiosity but sadly, it did not excite me that much to dig further.
Even though I don't find the other characters that intriguing enough (Liyun especially), I love how the author crafted the fragility of Shouji's personality-- of his 'hollowness' and to delve into his lovesick and untangle the secret he left untouched was both heart-rending and engrossing for me. It gets quite suspenseful nearly the end and that last chapter was truly making me perplexed.
A bit underwhelming compared to the two previous novels but would still recommend it if you want a light uncanny character-based plot (semi literary) with sentimental dreamy prose that captured an evocative and emotional phase of oneself. Do take note that this highlighted a bit on domestic abuse and violence, not that thoroughly but the related scenes might be triggering to few. 2.8 stars to this!
Thank you Pansing Distribution for sending me a copy to review!
Divided into three parts following the three women Shouji met, the plot threaded with a haunting backstory and a dreamlike aftermath after Shouji had to leave his girlfriend, Youko in Akakawa. From involving into an unexpected incident to living low for years because of the mysterious threats he received, the plot intertwined into Shouji's hidden past with few news clipping inserted in between chapters, a new girl that suddenly arrived and the mystery he needs to uncover about the missing Youko.
Not really a fan to the plot execution as it goes too slow pacing for me (I tend to procrastinate my reading because of the pacing tsk~). Quite ambiguous and monotonous, having immaculate and melancholic nuances yet the subtlety was quite tedious for my liking. I don't feel much on the development as the tension and conflicts were lightly riveting, and as for the mystery-- I have my curiosity but sadly, it did not excite me that much to dig further.
Even though I don't find the other characters that intriguing enough (Liyun especially), I love how the author crafted the fragility of Shouji's personality-- of his 'hollowness' and to delve into his lovesick and untangle the secret he left untouched was both heart-rending and engrossing for me. It gets quite suspenseful nearly the end and that last chapter was truly making me perplexed.
A bit underwhelming compared to the two previous novels but would still recommend it if you want a light uncanny character-based plot (semi literary) with sentimental dreamy prose that captured an evocative and emotional phase of oneself. Do take note that this highlighted a bit on domestic abuse and violence, not that thoroughly but the related scenes might be triggering to few. 2.8 stars to this!
Thank you Pansing Distribution for sending me a copy to review!
erincny_'s review against another edition
3.0
i’m really torn with this book. i enjoyed the mystery and the characters. the book seems like a clear homage to murakami to me, with the disappearing woman and the reference to classical music as murakami often does. but ending the story on a flashback whose existence and therefore relevance was not made clear for the entire rest of the book was an odd choice to me. it really took the knees out of any impact of the young boy’s death because it had previously not felt particularly impactful to shouji’s life. we don’t really get to see how the course of his life is so impacted by his misunderstanding of this event because everything is attributed to the incident with youko. and, i felt the writing itself was kind of mid in some ways.
tiareadsbooks25's review against another edition
5.0
•recently read•
4.5/5⭐
•••
I've been highly anticipating Watersong ever since the cover was revealed. There's something mysterious and intriguing about this novel that drew me in.
Watersong tells the story of Shouji Arai, a man whose life is intertwined with three women with the water element in their names. Shouji works as an 'ear prostitute', a seemingly simple and easy job that turns Shouji's life upside down. His main goal is to keep himself safe and find his girlfriend, Youko.
This book is divided into three parts based on the women Shouji encounters: Mizuki, Liyun, and Youko. They're strong-willed women with their own pasts and secrets, which are somehow linked and influence Shouji's life. Gradually, Shouji tried to unravel all and ended up fulfilling his prophecy, as well as his hidden pasts.
I've long admired Clarissa Goenawan's distinctive style: simple yet spellbinding, with a mysterious vibe. I was charmed by her ability to convey a tragic, magical, and mysterious ambiance while evoking exquisite and serene nuances. Her work never ceases to mesmerize me. Watersong was no exception.
I was hooked right away by the enigmatic prologue. It was nearly hard to put this book down because of the plot thread with a haunting backstory which drove me to keep reading it. Watersong is a beautifully written book with a gripping storyline, intrigue, and vivid imagery, as well as well-developed characters, despite its slow pace.
I particularly enjoy Goenawan's characterization of women who share similar traits: strong-willed and troubled women with complex secrets. You can easily empathize with all of them. Like Mizuki confronting her abusive life, Liyun persevering after being rejected, and Youko who remains mysterious yet independent till the end. Oh, also Eri who keeps pursuing her dream.
In contrast, Shouji is a gentle, devoted man with a tragic past. I love how Goenawan portrays Shouji's life. How he tried to live his life while struggling with loneliness, a haunted past, and dreams of drowning. I was a bit frustrated that Shouji was still trapped in the past, but then I can fully understand. How could you move on without a proper closure?
I had no clue where the story was headed while reading this book. Yet, the ending is so vague that it left me hanging and made me wonder so much. Does Shouji swim or sink? I believe each reader will have a different take on how the story ends. In my view, Shouji successfully swims since he recalls what Mizuki told him before. I thought I was getting used to how Goenawan ends her books, but the ending still startled me and I really like it!
4.5/5⭐
•••
I've been highly anticipating Watersong ever since the cover was revealed. There's something mysterious and intriguing about this novel that drew me in.
Watersong tells the story of Shouji Arai, a man whose life is intertwined with three women with the water element in their names. Shouji works as an 'ear prostitute', a seemingly simple and easy job that turns Shouji's life upside down. His main goal is to keep himself safe and find his girlfriend, Youko.
This book is divided into three parts based on the women Shouji encounters: Mizuki, Liyun, and Youko. They're strong-willed women with their own pasts and secrets, which are somehow linked and influence Shouji's life. Gradually, Shouji tried to unravel all and ended up fulfilling his prophecy, as well as his hidden pasts.
I've long admired Clarissa Goenawan's distinctive style: simple yet spellbinding, with a mysterious vibe. I was charmed by her ability to convey a tragic, magical, and mysterious ambiance while evoking exquisite and serene nuances. Her work never ceases to mesmerize me. Watersong was no exception.
I was hooked right away by the enigmatic prologue. It was nearly hard to put this book down because of the plot thread with a haunting backstory which drove me to keep reading it. Watersong is a beautifully written book with a gripping storyline, intrigue, and vivid imagery, as well as well-developed characters, despite its slow pace.
I particularly enjoy Goenawan's characterization of women who share similar traits: strong-willed and troubled women with complex secrets. You can easily empathize with all of them. Like Mizuki confronting her abusive life, Liyun persevering after being rejected, and Youko who remains mysterious yet independent till the end. Oh, also Eri who keeps pursuing her dream.
In contrast, Shouji is a gentle, devoted man with a tragic past. I love how Goenawan portrays Shouji's life. How he tried to live his life while struggling with loneliness, a haunted past, and dreams of drowning. I was a bit frustrated that Shouji was still trapped in the past, but then I can fully understand. How could you move on without a proper closure?
I had no clue where the story was headed while reading this book. Yet, the ending is so vague that it left me hanging and made me wonder so much. Does Shouji swim or sink? I believe each reader will have a different take on how the story ends. In my view, Shouji successfully swims since he recalls what Mizuki told him before. I thought I was getting used to how Goenawan ends her books, but the ending still startled me and I really like it!
itisnatal's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
umbranrealness's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyed the writing and characters in this - as I have with Goenawan's other books - but the plot didn't quite work for me. The main character and Liyun loving each other didn't feel real. And the ending itself is not satisfying at all. Obviously endings that leave you with questions can work, but in this case it feels like the key mystery of the book has extra layers added to it right at the end which are never answered. Shame as I really enjoyed it otherwise!
sabsabsab's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
yvntsnt_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75