This novel has a problem with dialogue. Lots of info-dumping and most information are not necessary to the story. I expected a character study of Kazu, but there was nothing like it and I didn't root for him at all. There was just nothing going on.
So heavy.. reminded me of the martial law period in my own country. This book is a very good exploration of the effects of dictatorship in a state, as well as the multiple perspectives of those who lost their loved ones in the fight for justice.
Sufficiently gory, did not overdo the depiction of trauma.
This book made me feel lonely in familiar ways. Stunning writing, it was very tactile and I felt the story unravel on my palm. Some scenes dragged a bit, some dialogue were repetitive. But overall -- I enjoyed the story.
I have read the first book in this series, and I must say -- Toshikazu Kawaguchi's writing has improved leagues better! This book is more novel-like than the first book which I appreciate, and made me root for the characters.
The stories in this collection are also more heartbreaking than the first one, even though it didn't make me cry. My favorite though is The Daughter, and I really like fictional stories rooted in real-life disasters.
Strange Weather in Tokyo is a heartwarming novel about love despite a generational gap, loss, and the cycle of love to loss.
I found the writing style to be simple yet sparkling with carefully chosen words. The characters are likeable so much that I wanted to be a part of their circle.
It's an easy read which has a slow build-up, but it's worth every second in the end. Beautifully heartbreaking.
Norwegian Wood meets magical realism. The worldbuilding is top-notch (expected nothing less), yet it lacks the character studies that I always enjoy in his novels. Not his best work in my opinion, but not that bad in itself.
I'm at a loss for words. So beautiful and lyrical! The story spans a decade of Patroclus and Achilles' lives and brilliantly encapsulates the sacrifices love requires from you.
A masterpiece! Can't wait for Miller's retelling of Persephone!
First, the blurb doesn’t do this book justice! I know blurbs are usually written by the marketing team, so I’m not going to include the blurb in my review (I never did for other books anyway). Just wanted to point that out because the romance in this novel is just, I dare say, a subplot. The story focuses more on Pablo’s coming-of-age journey and, although Lee is the biggest catalyst in his life, she’s not the only one. I honestly almost did not pick up this book because of the blurb, but I’m so happy I gave this a chance anyway!
That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Think Norwegian Wood funnier, way way WAY more lighthearted, and also incredibly quiet. I read this as a character study of Pablo and by extension every person he’s meant to represent. Choi hit the nail in the head in showing us what it means to be lost in your early twenties and that sometimes, even adults don’t know where they’re headed, and that “life isn’t a destination” but an accumulation of regular events that teach us how to live.
The writing style is easily digestible, and its wordiness fits Pablo’s overthinking tendencies. This is also very detailed and Choi has done a great job building the world for non-New Yorker readers.
The plot was a little slow in the beginning because I expected them to meet right away on the first chapter (again, it was marketed as a romance book), but it slowly dawned on me that this is not about Pablo and Lee. It’s about Pablo with Lee. And I loved how everything led to the climax! It’s so believable and Choi’s specificity paid off.