Reviews

The Big Wave by Pearl S. Buck

cpruskee's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

oeuvrejaden's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.0

optimaggie's review against another edition

4.0

My son read this aloud to me for school. I don't think I would have liked it as well had I read it on my own, for the best thing about it was the conversations that it facilitated. So much of this book is about grief and while my son expressed at one point that he hated that this book had to be sad, he is a child who has experienced grief and we could both see the wisdom with which Kino's family (his father in particular) provides the space for Jiya to grieve. This is a slim book, but there is a lot to talk about.

totalhenry's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense 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? No

4.25

beatsbybeard's review

4.0

Lovely story about staying resilient in the face of adversity, grief, and events beyond your control. "Life is stronger than death."

whenlexiemetbooks's review against another edition

3.0

Either 2006 or 2007. I read this in 4th grade by one of my favorite teachers. I had to do a project on it I remember. Kino's friend Jiya's family is wiped out by a tsunami and goes to live with Kino. An old man says Jiya can live with him but he refuses the offer because he says he will never love him like Kino's family does. It was a good book.

wooseokbasemant's review against another edition

5.0

The book was kinda thrilling and so good. It was sad at the same time, but I didn't cry cuz I'm not the type of person that can cry for everything but it was sad. I loved it, 5 stars.

taun's review against another edition

3.0

From my students, “This book was adventurous, there was a lot of bravery from Jiya, Kino, and Setsu. It begins happy, with two boys who were best friends, and loved to go swimming together to a little island.

Then the big wave comes and wipes out the entire town, including Jiya’s family, but Jiya survived, because he was with Kino on the farm. Jiya rarely speaks, the Old Gentleman comes to offer to adopt Jiya, Jiya refuses and goes to live with Kino.

The boys grow up, and one day they see two men building on the beach, where everyone had been killed. Jiya sees this, and decides he would like return to being a fisherman, like his father. He marries Sestu.

We like Kino because he’s kind, and brave. Kino’s father is very wise, and speaks with wisdom and kindness, even though we think he can be harsh. We give this book 3.5 stars.”

zombeesknees's review against another edition

5.0

One of those children's stories that gives you a warm fuzzy feeling inside even when you feel like crying; how the hell does that paradox even work? Short, succinct, but still emotional and touching, a great slice of insight into the Japanese perspective on life and death with some heartwarming family feels thrown in for further flavouring.

colbymama08's review against another edition

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5