foursythia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book works for me, the way reading the entire book feels like it's constantly raining cold despite having read it in peak highest of summer makes me feel happy. I enjoy crime/mystery for the experience and not the plot, so maybe I'm not the best critic, but to me I'm genuinely curious & wondering about what happen to the sister; and did not expect the plot reveal at the end.
Seen some complaints about the writing style (that's said to mimic/heavily inspired by Murakami) but to me it doesn't come off that way; I guess Japanese literature share similar sentiments to us readers upon reading it is all. Terrific time enjoying this piece!
Seen some complaints about the writing style (that's said to mimic/heavily inspired by Murakami) but to me it doesn't come off that way; I guess Japanese literature share similar sentiments to us readers upon reading it is all. Terrific time enjoying this piece!
literarycaffeine's review against another edition
3.0
Rainbirds was both what I️ was expecting and not what I️ was expecting.
The story follows Ren Ishida. He lives in Tokyo while finishing a degree program. His older sister, Keiko, lives in the small town of Akakawa. Akakawa is a small, peaceful town where there is virtually no crime. That is, until Keiko is murdered and there are no leads. Ren travels to this small town to settle family matters, but ends up living Keiko’s life in order to understand her decisions and, ultimately, who murdered her. He teaches at the same cram school she taught at. He lives in the same house, the same room even, that Keiko lived in. He hangs out with the same people Keiko hung out with.
During this time, Ren learns much more about his sister than he’s ever known. He may even have more questions than answers.
I️ overall enjoyed this book. It held my interest and I️ looked forward to reading it each time I️ picked it up. The story was a little lackluster in details and I️ felt slightly disconnected from the characters. A couple times I️ had to go back to remember who was who. It also built up pretty slowly. Three stars it is.
The story follows Ren Ishida. He lives in Tokyo while finishing a degree program. His older sister, Keiko, lives in the small town of Akakawa. Akakawa is a small, peaceful town where there is virtually no crime. That is, until Keiko is murdered and there are no leads. Ren travels to this small town to settle family matters, but ends up living Keiko’s life in order to understand her decisions and, ultimately, who murdered her. He teaches at the same cram school she taught at. He lives in the same house, the same room even, that Keiko lived in. He hangs out with the same people Keiko hung out with.
During this time, Ren learns much more about his sister than he’s ever known. He may even have more questions than answers.
I️ overall enjoyed this book. It held my interest and I️ looked forward to reading it each time I️ picked it up. The story was a little lackluster in details and I️ felt slightly disconnected from the characters. A couple times I️ had to go back to remember who was who. It also built up pretty slowly. Three stars it is.
iditarod99's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
melly28's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
quokkaboba's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ⭐️
it was a good read, the pace was slow but it didn’t made the reading boring. i was sort of surprised of the turning of events and how it ended, but i guess in a way it was a good and proper ending. just not the one i imagine. japanese novels have a different vibe to them which i really like.
it was a good read, the pace was slow but it didn’t made the reading boring. i was sort of surprised of the turning of events and how it ended, but i guess in a way it was a good and proper ending. just not the one i imagine. japanese novels have a different vibe to them which i really like.
c2pizza's review against another edition
4.0
This hit the right notes to spark nostalgia for the time I spent living in Japan. For that reason alone, 4 stars.
sungold's review against another edition
4.0
This book is, without doubt, a perfect bridge between Murakami and writers of similar flare but lesser status. Rainbirds, Clarissa Goenawan's first published book, reads much like a Murakami: abstract titles, complex relationships to strangers, familiar thematic elements (younger women with older men; youth abusing drugs and/or alcohol; strained family ties; supernatural interference)... With so much reminiscent of Murakami, the one piece that I felt could have been more embellished was the primary character's relationship to the stranger that visits his dreams. When one writes like a great, one must perform like that great; regardless of how Goenawan would like her work to be judged, Murakami is the standard she will be judged by.
Great read overall. Very pleased. Would recommend.
Great read overall. Very pleased. Would recommend.
vanesst's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Death
Moderate: Abandonment, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Murder
Minor: Alcohol and Miscarriage
orbitingnan's review against another edition
4.0
when I first read the descriptions of this book, i thought the this was all gonna be about Ren trying to find out his sister’s murderer, but it was more than that. i am a sensitive person so whenever he recalled all the moments while his sister was alive, it really touched my heart even though I don’t even really like the main character. despite how selfish Ren had been, Keiko would’ve always taken good care of his little brother. This book made dont wanna stop reading this, tho sometimes it got a little bit boring. The last 100 pages and everything was still unanswered and blurry???? the ending wasn’t what I wanted it to be bc I expected more (of course!). TBH, it could’ve been better (with all the plots, character development, and staff) but i really appreciate the author trying her best to make this book enjoyable!! Cheers! Loved the book.
stilljennifer's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of those quiet, steady books I feel it's impossible not to like. There's nothing loud or bombastic about the storytelling here, and while the premise—a man whose sister is brutally stabbed to death moves to the small town where she'd lived for more than a decade in order to settle her affairs and perhaps uncover the mystery surrounding her death—is an interesting one, it's almost secondary to the real work that's going on internally for each of the characters. There is a reveal at the end, but again, the book would have been as satisfying and readable without it. If you love emotional, dreamy narratives that are restrained yet powerful, you'll love this book.