ndfan19's review against another edition
Life in Japan after Pearl Harbor & over 30 years; so very good!
mariev's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.75
jeep8read's review against another edition
5.0
I've not only read this twice but have recommended it and loaned it to friends.
Here in the United States we have our view of what it is to be in war. In Tokyo in 1939, two young boys are growing up in the care of their grandparents. Their lives are hard but filled with love and support. Their futures are foreseeable and they are content. The reader learns about the everyday life of the people, their customs, and interactions. Then the Pearl Harbor attacks take place and their lives fall apart. Seeing the effects of WWII as it impacts them and how they cope is difficult and inspiring. I recommend this book.
Here in the United States we have our view of what it is to be in war. In Tokyo in 1939, two young boys are growing up in the care of their grandparents. Their lives are hard but filled with love and support. Their futures are foreseeable and they are content. The reader learns about the everyday life of the people, their customs, and interactions. Then the Pearl Harbor attacks take place and their lives fall apart. Seeing the effects of WWII as it impacts them and how they cope is difficult and inspiring. I recommend this book.
_honeydelarose's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
altlovesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
"Just remember, every day of your lives, you must always be sure what you're fighting for."
This book followed a family in Japan through the grips of World War II and out the other side again. Two brothers raised by their grandparents and the owner of a sumo stable and his two daughters are the main performers in this little play, and we get an intimate look into the thoughts, feelings, fears, and dreams of these people as they progress through their uncertain lives.
I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, even moreso of historical fiction set in Asia. This book, however, left me feeling a little bit "meh". It's a perfectly adequate book, and actually I think it's told really well up until the late World War II years. I feel like the book peaks early though, and I found myself losing a bit of interest following World War II. Nothing really changes, style-wise, but I felt less of a direction in where the story was heading. The writing is straightforward, not very lyrical, but the author does tell a good story. I felt like the leadup to were the most interesting, but I sort of disliked Aki as a character later on.
An adequate book, not exceptional, but also not terrible. Interesting for about the first 30-40%, and then afterwards it kind of meanders along with the family's story. If you've read [b:The Samurai's Garden|51113|The Samurai's Garden|Gail Tsukiyama|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327876036l/51113._SY75_.jpg|1019525] by the same author, this book has the same feel.
This book followed a family in Japan through the grips of World War II and out the other side again. Two brothers raised by their grandparents and the owner of a sumo stable and his two daughters are the main performers in this little play, and we get an intimate look into the thoughts, feelings, fears, and dreams of these people as they progress through their uncertain lives.
I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, even moreso of historical fiction set in Asia. This book, however, left me feeling a little bit "meh". It's a perfectly adequate book, and actually I think it's told really well up until the late World War II years. I feel like the book peaks early though, and I found myself losing a bit of interest following World War II. Nothing really changes, style-wise, but I felt less of a direction in where the story was heading. The writing is straightforward, not very lyrical, but the author does tell a good story. I felt like the leadup to
Spoiler
the atomic bomb drops and the firestormAn adequate book, not exceptional, but also not terrible. Interesting for about the first 30-40%, and then afterwards it kind of meanders along with the family's story. If you've read [b:The Samurai's Garden|51113|The Samurai's Garden|Gail Tsukiyama|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327876036l/51113._SY75_.jpg|1019525] by the same author, this book has the same feel.
heatherinjapan's review against another edition
Jesus christ that audiobook narrator really thought the bad accent would be good for this??
adrienneambo's review against another edition
4.0
Great story with characters that become "real living souls" to the reader. Set during World War 2 in Japan this rich novel tells the story of two brothers being raised by the grandparents outside of Tokoyo. This reaffirms my believe that people are people and war rips apart lifes. Older brother Hiroshi brings to life the sumo culture and younger brother Kenji the mask making art of the Noh theater. Recommended read and would be good for high school students also looking for a good read!
yetilibrary's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this a lot, and learned about sumo (I knew nothing about it) as well as some Japanese history. It would be easy for a novel like this, that spans decades, to go on too long, but I never got bored and cared deeply about the characters.
Can I just say: I learned about the firebombing of Dresden from Slaughterhouse-Five, and now about the firebombing of Tokyo from this book. I'm thankful to these books for teaching me about actual historical events, and also disappointed in my (US) education for failing to teach me about them first.
Can I just say: I learned about the firebombing of Dresden from Slaughterhouse-Five, and now about the firebombing of Tokyo from this book. I'm thankful to these books for teaching me about actual historical events, and also disappointed in my (US) education for failing to teach me about them first.
lala_laur's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.25
dja777's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I love family sagas that take place over many years, and this one was especially interesting because it is set in a time and place with which I am very unfamiliar. The book is made up of a lot of little vignettes from different points of view, which some of the other readers found too choppy, but I thought it made the story move quickly. After reading this, I would like to read a history of post-WWII Japan.