Reviews

Shadow Life by Hiromi Goto

kate_mazm's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

ashleyrich3825's review against another edition

3.0

More accurately a 3.75
The best part about this novel was the art style, by far. I loved it.
I also appreciated the centering of an elderly woman, and the ways that the effects of her age were portrayed without judgment or disgust.
Kumiko made a spunky, likeable, and relatable protagonist, and I really enjoyed reading about her life and adventures evading death. Her relationship with her daughters, the townspeople, and Alice were really well portrayed, too.
My only gripe with this was that I found the last chunk a bit confusing. In my experience, magical realism can be difficult to understand as a reader at times. I could at least mostly understand what was happening, but the finer details evaded me a bit.
That being said, I would definitely recommend this based on the art and characters, alone.

bugle's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

starfoxxy's review against another edition

reflective fast-paced

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

1.0

eaupaline's review against another edition

4.0

J'adore ce genre de rencontre. J'ai intercepté par hasard ce pavé de BD dans une caisse de rangement à la bibliothèque, parce que la petite vieille dame sur la couverture, son aspirateur à la main et l'ombre derrière elle ont capté mon attention. Après quelques pages, j'ai été touchée par l'héroïne, son humour, son besoin de liberté et sa façon de relationner avec les personnes qui l'entourent. La façon dont le fantastique s'insinue dans le récit, les formes que prend l'ombre et le travail de l'illustratrice m'ont aussi beaucoup plu. C'est fantastique, c'est queer, ça parle de mort sans manquer d'humour, l'héroïne est vieille et têtue : c'est un petit coup de cœur pour moi !

ashleyjewell's review against another edition

I loved Kumiko, a 76 year old widow who enjoys the little things like swimming at the community pool and collecting odd items, and refuses to leave this life just yet. The illustrations were also amazing!

bookbrig's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-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

4.5

I laughed out loud several times while reading this, and I fell in love with Kumiko. I don't think I quite got the full picture of the ending, but it was still such a great read! It's a mixture of humor and worry and care and irritation all bound up in one fairly simple story. I particularly loved the art style for the shadow and its creatures. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Blood and Death of parent

prufrockcoat's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

za_hues's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

5.0

kayt_lou's review against another edition

dark emotional lighthearted 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

4.75