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cow_png's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Pregnancy, Cancer, Child abuse, Classism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Infertility
Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, and Sexism
Minor: Car accident
vellumveela's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Body shaming, and Sexism
Moderate: Pregnancy, Alcoholism, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Transphobia
asainspace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual violence and Cancer
jaswoahreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Moderate: Rape, Sexism, Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Body shaming
Minor: Alcohol, Child abuse, and Addiction
unboxedjack's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Terminal illness, Suicide, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Sexism, Child abuse, Grief, Pedophilia, Rape, and Suicide attempt
sofiadanielle's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Also, the synopsis on the back does not really have much to do with the novel, as the whole ‘Midoriko’s silence’ gets resolved in Book One, which is only roughly 30% of the novel? So.. That also sort of detracted points for me, though I suppose I could’ve done more thorough research about the novel before reading.
This book made me think a lot about being a woman. Though I am not in the same stage of life as Natsuko, I found myself pondering the same things she did; about loneliness, about relationships, career path… These themes and Kawakami’s dedication to them definitely push the novel towards that 4 star rating for me, if only personally. The ending also felt fulfilling in my opinion, both in terms of themes and for the characters!
I am excited to read more of Kawakami’s work after completing this novel!
Moderate: Child abuse, Terminal illness, Sexism, Alcohol, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Death, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Misogyny, and Infertility
maceydowns's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Infertility, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Sexism, Classism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Vomit, Death, Grief, Medical content, Pedophilia, Cancer, Death of parent, Rape, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Body shaming and Transphobia
risemini's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault
nabila99's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
virtually the only issue i have with this book, and the reason i took off half a star, is that although i really enjoyed the second half and all of natsuko's musings about asexuality, single motherhood and her future, i did feel the absence of makiko and midoriko. it would have been nice to see their development also, where they were in their journeys.
nevertheless, kawakami's writing and characterisation are stunning, and i can't wait to read more of her work
Graphic: Alcohol, Medical content, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent, Acephobia/Arophobia, Sexual content, Cancer, Death, and Body shaming
Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Infertility
angela_iseli's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Sexism, Pedophilia, and Sexual harassment