Reviews with content warning for Violence - Intimacies

Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Intimacies by Katie Kitamura

33 reviews

savvylit's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

This is a quiet novel about a woman who is being exploited to varying degrees by her job, her romantic relationship, and a developing friendship. Her lover has gone to visit his ex-wife and stopped texting. Her position at the ICJ requires her to constantly translate gruesome war crimes. A new friend doesn't tell the whole truth. Our protagonist is consistently in a state of transition and indecision - should she stay in the Hague, should she extend her contract?

Overall, Intimacies is an interesting slice-of-life novel. But it's almost too quiet and too plotless. There were hints of mystery that I had hoped would develop further but ultimately petered out. Perhaps I just wasn't in the right mindset to appreciate this novel.

Lastly, this was a belated read for @occuhazard.bookclub which I love and which consistently has thought-provoking workplace novels on the roster.

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guinness74's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

I’m not sure how this book made it to my TBR list, but there it was and despite the not great rating, it was short and I thought I’d give it a go. I should’ve known better. It was too short to give the characters a completeness. Some of the characters introduced, seemingly to drive the story forward, just disappear. The ones that remain are not in the least entertaining. 2 stars merely because it was short and there were some descriptive segments that I enjoyed.

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actualspinster's review against another edition

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5.0

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linguaphile412's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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karmapen's review against another edition

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challenging reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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galpalrachel's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced

2.5

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sydapel's review against another edition

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challenging reflective fast-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? No

4.0

Short and yet deeply contemplative, I was really fascinated by the deep level of observance and perception Kitamura extends to her main character and by extension, the reader. A book about the language and behavior of others, it also speaks about being at a crossroads so powerfully, even if the ending wasn't what I was expecting or maybe hoped for. I really found myself immersed in this person's mind and experiences, and if you're looking for something short to sink into, this is perfect.

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