jan1k's reviews
65 reviews

The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yōko Ogawa

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Chess Story by Stefan Zweig

dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

Notes of a Crocodile by Qiu Miaojin

dark emotional reflective medium-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? It's complicated

4.25

Near to the Wild Heart by Clarice Lispector

emotional reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

The Post-Office Girl by Stefan Zweig

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

People from My Neighborhood by Hiromi Kawakami

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.75

After Dark by Haruki Murakami

mysterious reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

Veniss Underground by Jeff VanderMeer

adventurous dark funny fast-paced

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

3.0

I really enjoyed all the aspect of this novel and the different themes it introduced, but at times it felt like a whirlwind in which you couldn’t stop, breathe and sit with these ideas. It was very enjoyable to read but I can’t help but wish there was more. More world building. More breaks. More depth. Will definitely be picking up more of his novels :)

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

This novel is wildly different from most I pick up and I wish I’d picked it up sooner! It was refreshing having Klara as our narrator and seeing her interpretations of humanity and real life and she adapted to these interpretations. I absolutely breezed through every chapter and couldn’t get enough of it. The relationships between characters felt so raw and honest and heartwarming all at once. Its discussions on technology, sickness, friendship and loyalty didn’t feel like a lecture but more so foundational blocks to create a compelling story of love and resilience. Highly recommend!