A review by gillthequill
How Do You Live? by Genzaburō Yoshino

hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.0

I am glad I read this book, if only because it is an exercise in reading books published at very specific moments in history. It is very much a work of its time. While some of the lessons the uncle gives Copper are insightful and relevant even today, the entire work feels as if it is under the shadow of World War II. There are passages of patriotism and cultural touchstones that make the work feel tragic: Cooper is old enough to fight in World War II. All of these characters are looming in the war's shadow. It was like reading a moment of peace before everything goes to hell. I don't think all the lessons the book has hold up, and I think the narrative of Cooper's coming of age story is far more powerful than the philosophical tracts, but I appreciate what the author was trying to do and am glad to get this insight into this moment in history.