albinasergeeva's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
unabirraecentopaginealgiorno's review against another edition
4.0
Bullismo, mobbing, prevaricazioni, il lato marcio di un Paese considerato civile. Certo, accanirsi sulla protagonista non viene difficile: svegliati cocca, non ce l'hai una dignità? Un vero schifo. Raccontato con delicatezza, ma pur sempre uno schifo.
Da far leggere a tutti i giapponofili.
Da far leggere a tutti i giapponofili.
adrymxl's review against another edition
5.0
Amé este libro, la ironía y sentido del humor de Amélie, a la vez que su gran empatía hacen de esta obra súper disfrutable. Considero que la última imagen del libro es una muestra de respeto que por fin es mutuo, una conexión en lugar de alguien que ha triunfado sobre la dignidad del otro, pues es tan algo íntimo que quiero creer que nadie puede quitarte. En todo caso, la empatía de Amélie hace posible que comprendamos las diferencias fundamentales de dos culturas, a su vez que vemos la humanidad de los individuos pertenecientes a ambas, puntos extras si incluye destruir mobiliario y chillar de forma dramática.
En definitiva me hizo también reflexionar sobre mi condición de inmigrante y cómo se pueden idealizar culturas que consideramos "superiores", en este caso la japonesa, que confieso que admiro. Quizás ni una ni otra cultura son perfectas y darse cuenta de eso puede ser liberador, la propia cultura incluida.
En definitiva me hizo también reflexionar sobre mi condición de inmigrante y cómo se pueden idealizar culturas que consideramos "superiores", en este caso la japonesa, que confieso que admiro. Quizás ni una ni otra cultura son perfectas y darse cuenta de eso puede ser liberador, la propia cultura incluida.
silviaamaturo's review against another edition
3.0
3,5
So pochissimo della cultura giapponese, ma il paragrafo sulla figura della donna nella società nipponica, da solo, merita la lettura.
Per il resto il racconto è breve, certamente ben scritto, a tratti divertente, più spesso estraniante.
Piacevole.
So pochissimo della cultura giapponese, ma il paragrafo sulla figura della donna nella società nipponica, da solo, merita la lettura.
Per il resto il racconto è breve, certamente ben scritto, a tratti divertente, più spesso estraniante.
Piacevole.
jasonfurman's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant, mesmerizing, laugh-out-loud funny, insightful, I recommend reading Fear and Trembling-like other Amélie Nothomb books--in a single sitting. This one begins with the narrator describing her position as a Westerner in the hierarchy of a Japanese corporation (she's at the bottom) and ends with her going through the different people in the hierarchy to resign her position at the end of the year. In between it chronicles her relationships to her superiors in hilarious black comic manner, often spinning out extensive monologues of what she would say to them if she didn't have any self restraint. In the course of it, you get an interesting window into Japanese corporate culture, hierarchy, attitudes towards women, and the concepts around "saving face".
Much of the book centers around the narrator being held back by her immediate boss, a 29 year-old woman who is jealous that this new entrant might be promoted much more quickly than she had been. As a result the narrator's brief attempt to escape into more interesting work is squelched with her denunciation by her immediate boss and leads to a set of cruel consequences for the people around her. Although some of the figures are stereotypes (including the obligatory for a Nothomb novella grossly obese, warped character), they vary and present a rich variety of how people cope with the stresses of operating in hierarchies with life tenure.
Much of the book centers around the narrator being held back by her immediate boss, a 29 year-old woman who is jealous that this new entrant might be promoted much more quickly than she had been. As a result the narrator's brief attempt to escape into more interesting work is squelched with her denunciation by her immediate boss and leads to a set of cruel consequences for the people around her. Although some of the figures are stereotypes (including the obligatory for a Nothomb novella grossly obese, warped character), they vary and present a rich variety of how people cope with the stresses of operating in hierarchies with life tenure.
farsiedisfarsi's review against another edition
3.0
⭐⭐⭐½
Molto scorrevole, anche letto in lingua originale. La scrittura asciutta è perfetta per creare quel miscuglio di grottesco ed esilarante che è la forza del libro. Non nego che in alcuni punti ho quasi provato sofferenza fisica per le umiliazioni a cui è sottoposto la protagonista, quindi l'intento dell'autrice direi che sia più riuscito
Molto scorrevole, anche letto in lingua originale. La scrittura asciutta è perfetta per creare quel miscuglio di grottesco ed esilarante che è la forza del libro. Non nego che in alcuni punti ho quasi provato sofferenza fisica per le umiliazioni a cui è sottoposto la protagonista, quindi l'intento dell'autrice direi che sia più riuscito
nightwater32's review against another edition
4.0
This is my second reading. I had forgotten I read it in 2002 when it was relatively new in the English book scene in Japan where I was living. I believe my sister lent it to me, and I could relate to so much of what happened, on a much lower level. It's a funny read, over the top, but holds a dear truth to living in the Japanese culture that is hard to believe, even when you have lived it. Rereading this book was a bit of a joy in remembering Japan but also because now that it's more than a decade since, I have more fondness, having left behind my own personal Fubukis at the jobs I held.
amelia47's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting book about a Belgian woman working kin Japan. Culture shock, humility, gender roles, and importance of manners in Japanese culture.