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smokingintherain's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.75
craftymoni's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the best books I have ever read. I came across this book in an interesting way. I was doing a craft program for kids and happened to find the review in an old issue of People magazine. It was serendipity, which made the reading of it all that much better.
judy_kr's review against another edition
4.0
Couldn't get into this, the Japanese with footnotes got in the way.
Updated 2019: I tried listening to this and audio in the first few chapters were also difficult but after that I got into it a lot more than I could the print version a few years ago. A very philosophical novel.
Updated 2019: I tried listening to this and audio in the first few chapters were also difficult but after that I got into it a lot more than I could the print version a few years ago. A very philosophical novel.
starbucksgirl33's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
kllamb's review against another edition
5.0
Took me a bit to get into the book. I found myself at page 60-something wondering if I should continue or move on to another book. I hung in there and as the book neared the end, I wanted it to keep going. Beautiful interplay between two characters from two different time periods and societies. Loved it!
kabbw's review against another edition
3.0
it took a while for me to get involved in the story, but it eventually pulled me in.
ctingle's review against another edition
3.0
I liked but also didn't like this book. I loved the sections about Nao. They were beautifully written and I loved learning about her and her trials and tribulations. But I didn't so much like Ruth's sections. She was an OK character, but she irritated me a lot, being really wishy washy about the diary: wanting help but then sounding upset about people helping her. The ending also started to read a lot like a Haruki Murakami novel, which isn't completely bad since I like his work. It just seemed out of place for this novel. I think the story overall would've been better without those "out there" sections.
suebeemitch's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 - 3.75 stars. Having finished this book, I'm not sure how I want to rate it. For about the first two-thirds of the book I was enthralled with the writing, the characters, and the mystery. I was sure this would be one of my rare 5-star books. Then things soured for me, and by the time I reached the end I was disappointed and a bit disengaged. I'm glad that I read "A Tale for the Time Being" and I'm certain that it will linger in my mind, but I wouldn't recommend this read to many of my friends.
heatheralsip's review against another edition
4.0
There are questions unanswered, but overall I loved it!