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insideabasketcase's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
_tink_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
bookonarooftop's review against another edition
4.0
3.5stars
I haven't read other books by the author but this one was quite good and I had fun reading it.
A few things I enjoyed
- describing a post-apocalyptic world was done quite well
the nightmarish and surreal Japan could have been unimaginable for many but while reading I could see it happening.
I haven't read any interviews by the author but when I read the part about Japan closing its borders, all I could think about was: yes, if it's Japan and its community, it is possible. If today, the government announces that it is necessary to cut ties with the outside world, Japan might be one of the few countries that will 100% do it. [after living in South Korea for 5 years and someone who majored in East Asian studies, I can say that societies of South Korea, Japan, and China, can be contained within their borders, just like in the book]
- the language
From the conversations between Mumei and Yoshiro, one can see how language has been modified and altered; the government views foreign languages as something illegal. While reading, I felt that the author wanted to highlight the importance of languages as a cultural currency and tool.
- Mumei and Yoshiro
I don't know what everyone was searching for in this book but for me, the relationship between Yoshiro and Mumei was the highlight. They were the bright points in a gloomy world, the author described. The love Yoshiro had for his great-grandchild was so sentimental and also important. He did everything he could not do for his kid and grandkid. Was it guilt? I don't want to think of Yoshiro's dedication as a pang of guilt. I think it was more a hope for a better tomorrow. And the fact that no matter what Mumei kept an optimistic mind was probably the answer.
The thing I didn't enjoy
- The ending felt rushed
I don't know what could have been a better ending but this one felt rushed and unfinished. It's like the author built this world and gave us a setting and now after this something great is supposed to happen. I wished there was more to it.
Overall I had fun and it was quite a nice read
I haven't read other books by the author but this one was quite good and I had fun reading it.
A few things I enjoyed
- describing a post-apocalyptic world was done quite well
the nightmarish and surreal Japan could have been unimaginable for many but while reading I could see it happening.
I haven't read any interviews by the author but when I read the part about Japan closing its borders, all I could think about was: yes, if it's Japan and its community, it is possible. If today, the government announces that it is necessary to cut ties with the outside world, Japan might be one of the few countries that will 100% do it. [after living in South Korea for 5 years and someone who majored in East Asian studies, I can say that societies of South Korea, Japan, and China, can be contained within their borders, just like in the book]
- the language
From the conversations between Mumei and Yoshiro, one can see how language has been modified and altered; the government views foreign languages as something illegal. While reading, I felt that the author wanted to highlight the importance of languages as a cultural currency and tool.
- Mumei and Yoshiro
I don't know what everyone was searching for in this book but for me, the relationship between Yoshiro and Mumei was the highlight. They were the bright points in a gloomy world, the author described. The love Yoshiro had for his great-grandchild was so sentimental and also important. He did everything he could not do for his kid and grandkid. Was it guilt? I don't want to think of Yoshiro's dedication as a pang of guilt. I think it was more a hope for a better tomorrow. And the fact that no matter what Mumei kept an optimistic mind was probably the answer.
The thing I didn't enjoy
- The ending felt rushed
I don't know what could have been a better ending but this one felt rushed and unfinished. It's like the author built this world and gave us a setting and now after this something great is supposed to happen. I wished there was more to it.
Overall I had fun and it was quite a nice read
emdo's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
Loved the writing style and especially the characters …… so much heart in the novel within such a short book.
mrbloodyminded's review against another edition
4.0
This was another book that I saw on the trolley as I was shelving and was instantly fascinated by the cover.
It also fits in with my goal of reading more books which weren’t originally written in English.
Looking at a world in the near future, set in the Tokyo of this world, older people aren’t dying but the young aren’t thriving, though it is always unclear whether or not the children are evolving or just getting more and more fragile.
Yoko Tawada’s prose is beautifully sparse but explores the characters so vividly, it brings Yoshiro sharply to life with all his dreams, reminiscences and worries.
An exploration of family life in a future Japan set against an environmental disaster could have been sensational but we are treated to a warm and compassionate look at the intricacies of a shattered family and all their frailties.
Translated by Margaret Mitsutani, and it feels with a light and loving touch.
It also fits in with my goal of reading more books which weren’t originally written in English.
Looking at a world in the near future, set in the Tokyo of this world, older people aren’t dying but the young aren’t thriving, though it is always unclear whether or not the children are evolving or just getting more and more fragile.
Yoko Tawada’s prose is beautifully sparse but explores the characters so vividly, it brings Yoshiro sharply to life with all his dreams, reminiscences and worries.
An exploration of family life in a future Japan set against an environmental disaster could have been sensational but we are treated to a warm and compassionate look at the intricacies of a shattered family and all their frailties.
Translated by Margaret Mitsutani, and it feels with a light and loving touch.
srcreads1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Incredibly well written. I was a little confused at times but that was the quirky nature of the story. I loved that it was reflective and interesting rather than some big dystopian plot. I love that we just followed the characters everyday experiences of this strange new world that our world had become. Beautiful and deep.
selsabil_ben's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
tfarfan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0