dylankakoulli's review
3.0
Dandelions is a simple, sparsely told -if slightly strange tale, that explores how individuals both suppress, process and overcome trauma and the fallibility of memory.
Kawabata’s reflective (though at times a tad repetitive) prose, is purposeful and poignant. Especially when describing the natural environment around our main characters -I found the poor, scarred and crying trees to be a particularly beautiful allegory.
Overall, this is the epitome of Japanese writing -where on the surface, not very much “happens”, but what lies within, will provoke plenty of food for thought.
3.5 stars
Only knocking off 1/2 a star as I wasn’t overly enamoured by the constant reference to the mental institution as a “madhouse” and the patients as “crazies” -dated it may be, but that didn’t (and should never) be an excuse.
Kawabata’s reflective (though at times a tad repetitive) prose, is purposeful and poignant. Especially when describing the natural environment around our main characters -I found the poor, scarred and crying trees to be a particularly beautiful allegory.
Overall, this is the epitome of Japanese writing -where on the surface, not very much “happens”, but what lies within, will provoke plenty of food for thought.
3.5 stars
Only knocking off 1/2 a star as I wasn’t overly enamoured by the constant reference to the mental institution as a “madhouse” and the patients as “crazies” -dated it may be, but that didn’t (and should never) be an excuse.
lipka's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The bridge was hardly long enough to say you had crossed it.
This reads like a twilight. It fits that so much of the dialogue takes place in the dwindling light, then in darkness around the nine o'clock bell. And the book is just so: a precious few conversations about Ineko, Inako.
The dialogue is cradled in a holding pattern, or maybe circling a drain far in the middle of a manmade river. But it does spin. It does ripple, distorting and calming in turns the waves of memory, trauma, and responsibility.
It's odd, maybe, but it's very Kawabata. The Dandelion is paused in the half-light, looking forward to dawn.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Minor: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Body horror, Child death, War, Murder, Sexual content, Suicide, and Sexism
claudia_c's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
paeandbooks's review
4.0
There’s something hauntingly beautiful about this book, and after some quick internet search, I found out this is the last book Kawabata-san wrote before he committed suicide.
That explains the Goodbye by Osamu Dazai’s vibe.
In Dandelion, Kizaki Ineko is suffering with asomagnosia after witnessing her dad’s death; the sufferer losing sight of things right in front of them. The book starts with Ineko checking in the asylum. The asylum is located at a beautiful town, described as “spring time”. The madhouse is described as the bane of existence at the place, for having such chaos in the calm place. Ineko’s mum and Kuno, Ineko’s lover checked her in, hoping her conditions would be improved.
The storyline went few seasons back, building up the times Ineko’s relationship with Kuno, and Ineko’s mom recovering herself and her daughter post-death of her dad. How her illness effecting her relationship with Kuno- i mean, not being able to see your partner during intimate activities does kill the vibe.
Kawabata writing are melodramatic and prose-like; and it feels like reading journals into final moments before descending into madness.
“As they walked down the path on the riverbank after leaving their lunatic in the clinic on the hill, they would hear behind them the long, low gonging of the temple bell. It was as if the one they had left behind were calling to them, saying goodbye. As if the bell were being struck to mark their parting. Forlorn but not unsettled, its ringing passed over the town and headed out to sea.”
That explains the Goodbye by Osamu Dazai’s vibe.
In Dandelion, Kizaki Ineko is suffering with asomagnosia after witnessing her dad’s death; the sufferer losing sight of things right in front of them. The book starts with Ineko checking in the asylum. The asylum is located at a beautiful town, described as “spring time”. The madhouse is described as the bane of existence at the place, for having such chaos in the calm place. Ineko’s mum and Kuno, Ineko’s lover checked her in, hoping her conditions would be improved.
The storyline went few seasons back, building up the times Ineko’s relationship with Kuno, and Ineko’s mom recovering herself and her daughter post-death of her dad. How her illness effecting her relationship with Kuno- i mean, not being able to see your partner during intimate activities does kill the vibe.
Kawabata writing are melodramatic and prose-like; and it feels like reading journals into final moments before descending into madness.
“As they walked down the path on the riverbank after leaving their lunatic in the clinic on the hill, they would hear behind them the long, low gonging of the temple bell. It was as if the one they had left behind were calling to them, saying goodbye. As if the bell were being struck to mark their parting. Forlorn but not unsettled, its ringing passed over the town and headed out to sea.”
iamjuly's review
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kimoleary's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
elenavarg's review against another edition
3.0
I don’t know if this novel would’ve made me as emotional if I hadn’t midway through reading it realised it was the last book Kawabata wrote before commiting suicide. I don’t know why, but the knowledge of him dying right after this books publication really touched me. The novel itself was at parts interesting but it mostly felt very repetitive, not really going anywhere.
alsugara's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75