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bruinuclafan's review
3.0
I liked the book, but it's hard for me to evaluate because I think the translation I read was bad. It looks like the First Tuttle Edition, Fifth Printing, translated by J Martin Holman. He did a good job with the descriptions, but the dialogue was stiff--as if it was translated literally. It really felt like a lot of the subtleties of the Japanese was lost. I'm going to have to re-read the book with a different or updated translation.
That said, I got the gist of it, and did enjoy the book. It's the story of Chieko, who was either abandoned or stolen at birth. The story chronicles her relationship with her adopted family, and explores the boundaries of familial love and support in the absence of any biological bond. While it hits themes that may be antiquated today--a daughter's total obedience to her parents, marriage as a business transaction between families, and the role of class in interpersonal relationships--in the post-World War II Japan psyche, I can see how this book would be considered liberal for its time. With a better translation I would have given 4 stars.
That said, I got the gist of it, and did enjoy the book. It's the story of Chieko, who was either abandoned or stolen at birth. The story chronicles her relationship with her adopted family, and explores the boundaries of familial love and support in the absence of any biological bond. While it hits themes that may be antiquated today--a daughter's total obedience to her parents, marriage as a business transaction between families, and the role of class in interpersonal relationships--in the post-World War II Japan psyche, I can see how this book would be considered liberal for its time. With a better translation I would have given 4 stars.
karlaborjav's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed it , it was a diferent read. But it lost me at some moments. A great descriptive story , you can really imagine all the details.
turidt's review
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
el_carimo's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
2.0
Fand das Buch ziemlich langweilig. Annotationen zu den unzähligen Festen, Straßen und anderen Eigenarten Kyotos hätten gut getan. Die Übersetzung war auch ziemlich shitty (Deutsche Übersetzung von Walter Donat).
Die Story war nichts besonders und die Charaktere wirkten auch sehr eintönig, hatten keine wirkliche Tiefe.
Least favorite Kawabata Book bisher
Die Story war nichts besonders und die Charaktere wirkten auch sehr eintönig, hatten keine wirkliche Tiefe.
Least favorite Kawabata Book bisher
savshu's review
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
andelarc's review against another edition
2.0
La historia no me terminó de convencer, pero la manera en que está narrado este libro me encantó.
henrikv's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
merramarie's review against another edition
3.0
me encanta irme al mundo de la naturaleza, paisajes y tradiciones japonesas. las descripciones son bellísimas y guardo lugares a conocer algún día
mariemaudite's review against another edition
4.0
Novela muy japonesa. Encantadoramente japonesa, en el sentido más estricto de la palabra. Toda ella deja en los labios la impresión, tan nipona, del poderoso paisaje de la antigua capital imperial (los cerezos inundan con su belleza las páginas iniciales), del diálogo entre la naturaleza y los sentimientos de su protagonista. Es una sencilla historia, en la que prima la profundidad psíquica de los personajes, en eterna ligadura con el entorno.
Recomendaría la novela, tan solo por su aparato estético, en primer lugar. Deliciosa. Un deleite para los sentidos. Obligatoria para quiénes deseen acercarse a la peculiar sensibilidad japonesa.
夜桜や 遠ざかり来て 帰り見る。
Cerezos en la noche.
Cuanto más me alejo,
aún más vuelvo a mirarlos.
(Tomiyasa Fûsei).
Recomendaría la novela, tan solo por su aparato estético, en primer lugar. Deliciosa. Un deleite para los sentidos. Obligatoria para quiénes deseen acercarse a la peculiar sensibilidad japonesa.
夜桜や 遠ざかり来て 帰り見る。
Cerezos en la noche.
Cuanto más me alejo,
aún más vuelvo a mirarlos.
(Tomiyasa Fûsei).