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deyonce54's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexual assault
mcrespo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
even though i absolutely hate that yamazaki and yoshie had sex at the end of this book (yamazaki is yoshie’s dead father’s best friend and watched yoshie grow up) this book still felt inspiring, and like a really great read for any twenty something that still struggles with the concept of what maturity is and what it means. this book is also wonderful for those struggling with the process of change and grieving.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
mixuchi's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Infidelity, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Incest
nyankonii's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
tw: romanticized predatory age gap
this was basically daddy issues: the novel.
this was basically daddy issues: the novel.
mc goes through stages of grief after the suicide of her father.
the writing felt stilted but that most likely is the fault of the translation.
she takes a liking to a regular at the bistro she works at bc he reminds her of her father. she then disturbingly develops a crush on her father’s friend. they both acknowledge it’s wrong since he knew her since she was a child, but they hook up anyways…yeah
the writing felt stilted but that most likely is the fault of the translation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Incest
sarah984's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I really liked that sort of listless feeling of being in your twenties that this book evokes: you're an adult but still really learning what that means, you're having this new sort of adult to adult relationship to your parents, and I feel like that feeling was captured really well. I also loved the sense of place, and the nostalgia and love for a place that was changing.
Unfortunately I felt like the relationship stuff was overall really boring, especially right at the end. All that seemed like it came out of nowhere.
Unfortunately I felt like the relationship stuff was overall really boring, especially right at the end. All that seemed like it came out of nowhere.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity and Suicide
Minor: Cancer, Fatphobia, Incest, Infertility, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual content, and Alcohol
netylu's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
4.5
The central theme of this novel is grief (and the healing power of food and community). The narrator, Yocchan, recently lost her father, who died in a murder-suicide with a woman. She and her mother find this hard to comprehend and accept. The book is sad at times but hopeful. I kept thinking it's a great book to read in your early twenties when you're feeling a little lost, trying to detach yourself from your parents and find love.
Some comments for those who read the book are below.
In a way, this novel is a journey to acceptance. But also of letting go. After living with her mother, Yocchan learns to see her separately from her role as a parent. She has to accept her mother, grow up and face herself. She has to answer for herself who she wants to be with.
The title of the book is an echo of two things. One, it's Yocchan's dad, how he left his phone on the day he died and how Yocchan dreams of him calling, struggling to communicate that he loved them and it's okay to move on. On the other hand, it's the reassuring greeting of Yamazaki-san, with whom Yocchan feels safe and whom she loves. I feel the title is very fitting for the book.
Some comments for those who read the book are below.
The title of the book is an echo of two things. One, it's Yocchan's dad, how he left his phone on the day he died and how Yocchan dreams of him calling, struggling to communicate that he loved them and it's okay to move on. On the other hand, it's the reassuring greeting of Yamazaki-san, with whom Yocchan feels safe and whom she loves. I feel the title is very fitting for the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
parasolcrafter's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
the way banana yoshimoto writes makes it feel as if youre hearing a story directly from a friend or loved one; you hear all the good and the bad, all the characters inner thoughts and worries, but you still love them after it all because, ultimately, you care for them. this was sometimes a bit hard to read - the grief was sometimes overwhelming, only for the scene to switch up and leave you with that emotion dragging you down when it no longer fits the words youre reading - but overall i really enjoyed this even if the ending was a bit...rushed? that might not be the perfect word, but it definitely was a bit of a shift from the rest of the book, the ending all happening so fast.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Murder and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer
tailwhip's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
afternoonlight's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
ilysm banana yoshimoto-san
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Grief
arfranklin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Melancholy but hopeful, strange and sweet, and with it’s charming setting playing a starring role in the story - this book has all the things I love about reading Banana Yoshimoto. It’s a quick read, but one that’ll stay with you for weeks after.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide