okenwillow's review against another edition
1.0
Le livre de Julie Otsuka est un très court récit qui a réussi en très peu de temps à me plonger dans un ennui total. Elle a choisi de raconter un épisode honteux et indigne de l’Histoire des États-Unis et du Japon en employant le « nous ». Dès les premières pages, j’ai trouvé le procédé osé, intéressant, plein de promesses. Au bout de trois chapitres, j’en avais déjà ras la culotte. La voix universelle et impersonnelle par laquelle s’expriment ces milliers de Japonaises (car je pense que c’est l’effet voulu par l’auteur), devient vite lancinante, les énumérations sans fin donnent l’impression de lire un catalogue. Les répétitions sont lourdes, épuisantes, systématiques, le récit m’a paru artificiel et sans âme. Je n’ai ressenti aucune empathie, aucun intérêt pour ces Japonaises. L’intention était noble, évoquer un sinistre épisode de l’Histoire est louable, j’aurais au moins appris quelque chose, certes, mais un roman sans personnages, sans intrigue, sans un minimum de ressenti n’est pas pour moi un « roman ». Je n’ai même pas eu l’impression de lire un documentaire, tant l’ennui m’a saisie rapidement. Je suis resté totalement hermétique à ce soit-disant chef-d’œuvre, qui n’est rien d’autre qu’une vague évocation rapide du rejet brutal dont fut victime la communauté japonaise aux États-Unis. À vouloir faire trop original, on en arrive à un cruel manque d’émotion, on tombe à plat, et on oublie de servir le sujet du récit, qui aurait mérité tellement mieux !
elisabethshanahan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
melinum's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Racism, and Rape
Moderate: Abortion, Child death, and Death
edmundsson's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
The narration alone makes this book such a special experience - its style was completely unusual for me, unraveling completely new layers of effective storytelling. I have never felt so intimately close to a variety of stories and yet so distant.
A prayer for nihilism, and a shockingly honest mirror to many aspects of human nature as well as systemic violence.
I absolutely recommend reading it - but be prepared for some explicitly brutal parts.
A prayer for nihilism, and a shockingly honest mirror to many aspects of human nature as well as systemic violence.
I absolutely recommend reading it - but be prepared for some explicitly brutal parts.
poisonousmoon's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adored this book. It's not something I would ordinarily pick up; I read it for my Women Writers course, and it's not at all what I expected.
This novel tells the story of Japanese picture brides and the hardships they lived through. The repetition
This novel tells the story of Japanese picture brides and the hardships they lived through. The repetition
jazmelody's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
3.0
raingirlpdx's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the presentation of detail delivered in the incantatory style. It makes for pensive reading, with many moments offered for reflection before one can proceed.
A wealth of resources presented in the appendix for readers wanting to know more about "the picture brides."
Highly recommend.
A wealth of resources presented in the appendix for readers wanting to know more about "the picture brides."
Highly recommend.
snutedute's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
theklutzybibliophile's review against another edition
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75