Scan barcode
theprinceofdenmark's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
3.75
there are parts of this that encapsulate everything i love about contemporary japanese fiction - slice of life chapters with fully realized environments and stark dialogue that's so realistic it sounds transcribed - but there are also parts of this that i really didn't like, but i can't put words as to why.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, and Vomit
savmthompson's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
xarifilm's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
3.25
in a nutshell, this book does what it intends to do well, but it’s not what i usually read.
it’s a book without a plot, dealing with themes of detachment and exploring the various ways women spend their lives. instead of a regular book that reaches a climax and slows down, this book flows. in many ways, especially the writing style, it reminds me of sally rooney’s works. the writing is simple, elegant, subtly beautiful, heavy with conversations and reads like a stream of consciousness sometimes.
despite my usual lack of enjoyment reading slice-of-life books, i liked this because despite its simplicity, it’s meticulously written and that’s evident when you read it. it is a good depiction of how lonely adult life can be, despite whatever path people chose (or didn’t choose) for themselves. it deals with the detachment that arises from sexual assault very well, without making it the most important part of the protagonist’s story. it’s slow paced, lyrical, and invokes emotions at the right moments.
all in all, a good read.
it’s a book without a plot, dealing with themes of detachment and exploring the various ways women spend their lives. instead of a regular book that reaches a climax and slows down, this book flows. in many ways, especially the writing style, it reminds me of sally rooney’s works. the writing is simple, elegant, subtly beautiful, heavy with conversations and reads like a stream of consciousness sometimes.
despite my usual lack of enjoyment reading slice-of-life books, i liked this because despite its simplicity, it’s meticulously written and that’s evident when you read it. it is a good depiction of how lonely adult life can be, despite whatever path people chose (or didn’t choose) for themselves. it deals with the detachment that arises from sexual assault very well, without making it the most important part of the protagonist’s story. it’s slow paced, lyrical, and invokes emotions at the right moments.
all in all, a good read.
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
ramramyum's review against another edition
I couldn't stand how unresponsive the main character was. I know it was the point, but I don't think it was for me.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Rape, and Sexual assault
adoola's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
a beautiful story about a woman realizing that she's become "no one", probably my favorite book :)
Graphic: Alcoholism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Suicide and Car accident
sydizen's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Vomit
xwen's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book was quite an interesting read. I finished the first half incrementally, then the second half all in one go. The writing can be seen as simple, but I think that it is its simplicity that makes it poignant, very reflective of the character we are following along in the book.
I think that this book includes a lovely commentary on women in a Japanese society. Though it almost felt like it ended abruptly, it's adjacent to how life can just be sometimes. In my opinion, it's quite the realistic book. Hard hitting, and had me feeling lots of things, and will probably continue making me feel lots of things for many nights to come.
Going into this book, I know a lot of people have expressed their distaste for the main character, but the main character was not flawed by writing, she was simply flawed in her ability, or lack thereof, to connect to other people. And that is incredibly realistic. People like this do exist and it was plenty interesting to see how she navigated her interactions with the people around her.
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
typicallyvillainous's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A must read for lonely women everywhere. Hope, pain, and long walks.
Moderate: Alcoholism and Sexual assault
irelivar's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Rape, and Sexual assault
char_a_lot_te's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
finishing this book is like waking up from a fever dream and im still reeling from it
its probably the best and also the weirdest romance ive ever read, if it can even be classified as such. at least, its one of my favourites. i like how trope bending it is. nothing like any love story ive ever encountered. not even anything like breasts and eggs
its probably the best and also the weirdest romance ive ever read, if it can even be classified as such. at least, its one of my favourites. i like how trope bending it is. nothing like any love story ive ever encountered. not even anything like breasts and eggs
i dont get it, but also i really, really get it.
it was weird and surreal and dreamy and sentimental and i like that in a book
it was weird and surreal and dreamy and sentimental and i like that in a book
this is one of those that i need some time to think about
Graphic: Sexual assault