ishouldreadthat's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
An incredibly quiet post-apocalyptic book about an elderly man caring for his fragile grandson. Lovely, but the lack of plot kept me from getting sucked in.
Graphic: Child death and Chronic illness
liltastypuff's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.0
Graphic: Death, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Child death
Moderate: Death of parent
_fallinglight_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Chronic illness and Medical content
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The Emissary is a slim little dystopian novel from Japan. It’s set in a world beset by climate change and the effects of some sort of disaster - possibly nuclear. National isolation has become the norm as countries attempt to deal with their own difficulties, while keeping those of other countries out. While the young are born fragile and become weaker with time, they are also wise. Meanwhile older people remain strong and healthy, but tend towards melancholy. The story follows Yoshiro and his great-grandson Mumei. As with all dystopian works it critiques recent social and political issues.
For me this book fell into the dreaded “it was fine” category (I’ve been having a lot of those recently and am wondering if it is some sort of reading slump) which means I don’t really have a lot to say. The relationship between Mumei and Yoshiro was sweet. The prose was sparse, as I have come to expect from Japanese novels. I might have preferred a slightly more expansive, less understated story. A good reminder not to mess up the world our children and grandchildren will inherit, and to seek joy and happiness where we can.
For me this book fell into the dreaded “it was fine” category (I’ve been having a lot of those recently and am wondering if it is some sort of reading slump) which means I don’t really have a lot to say. The relationship between Mumei and Yoshiro was sweet. The prose was sparse, as I have come to expect from Japanese novels. I might have preferred a slightly more expansive, less understated story. A good reminder not to mess up the world our children and grandchildren will inherit, and to seek joy and happiness where we can.
Graphic: Chronic illness and Child death
sannepoppe's review
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
De eerste driekwart van het boek ging nergens over, maar niet op een vervelende manier. Gewoon lekker rustig zeg maar. De laatste kwart ging dan weer mega snel en toen verloor de schrijfster me een beetje. Vond ik jammer.
Wel een heel origineel verhaal, ik denk alleen dat het einde op een veel betere manier geschreven had kunnen worden.
Wel een heel origineel verhaal, ik denk alleen dat het einde op een veel betere manier geschreven had kunnen worden.
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Medical content, and Chronic illness
little_enid's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.0
Moderate: Abandonment and Child death
Minor: Death and Chronic illness
srm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- 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
3.0
Fine, but it doesn't quite hand together for me.
Moderate: Chronic illness and Medical content
strrygo's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Chronic illness
jeju's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Moderate: Chronic illness
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