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vira92's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
heathbc's review against another edition
5.0
I'm so glad that I read this novel in Japanese! Elementary boys in Japan really do talk like the characters in this story. I used to play soccer with the kids during lunch break when I was an ALT too so that element in the last 1/3 of the book was nostalgic for me.
Kazumi Yumoto told a coming of age story about adolescent boys first wondering what death is all about. It's that curiosity that leads them to meeting a special Ojii-san. Kiyama, Yamashita, and Kawabe are boys with quite common last names, but who all feel very distinct in their mannerisms. They each have their own relevant backstories referenced throughout the novel. Yamashita comes from a fish shop family and wants to take on the family business when he gets older. Kiyama and Kawabe have troubled family lives. I just wanted to hug Kawabe, a boy trying to deal with a complicated mess of emotions stemming from not having a father. His character arc was my favorite.
I loved the simplicity of the premise. These boys wanted to know what happened when a person died because Yamashita went to a funeral of a grandparent he didn't know well. Who knew that 12-year-olds would be the perfect characters to explore this concept? I'd much rather read about what Kiyama learned from the life of Ojii-san more than something like Paradise Lost. The connection between the boys and Ojii-san is seen in their ordinary-extraordinary daily life experiences. They take out trash. They hang sheets to try on big ropes in the garden. They eat watermelon and hope to see the seeds bloom next summer. They learn to cook. They plant Cosmos flower seeds. They see fireworks. Granted, that last example was very touching because Ojii-san wanted it to be a surprise for the boys. There's also honesty in Ojii-san relaying his experiences in war that have always haunted him. Even the darkness in a life is something to be shared. Speaking of darkness, the boys ponder about ghosts and spirits quite a lot. Like all of us, they fear the unknown. They think of dying as a scary thing. But at the same time they discuss how dying may only be scary when you haven't completed the things you find to be worthwhile. For Yamashita, he says he'd be ok with dying only after learning to properly prepare hirame sushi. For Kiyama, he doesn't have a clue about what he wants to do in life but knows he wants to find something worth living for.
As for the last 20 or so pages, I lost count of the number of tissues I went through. I mean, I was crying so hard that my eyes couldn't read the words and snot was coming out. Every time I thought my emotions were calming down Yumoto just slammed me with another moving passage. It's the details that really got me.
The magic in this book is how it gets you to remember the people in your life that have passed away and had a great impact on your life. I remembered my granny. I felt grateful that she existed and that I got to have a deep bond with her. Any book that has the power to help me remember that is worth a five star rating. No wonder when I showed people this book and they said they'd read it, they had a certain twinkle in their eye. This is a book to be well loved because it helps you remember those you loved well.
Kazumi Yumoto told a coming of age story about adolescent boys first wondering what death is all about. It's that curiosity that leads them to meeting a special Ojii-san. Kiyama, Yamashita, and Kawabe are boys with quite common last names, but who all feel very distinct in their mannerisms. They each have their own relevant backstories referenced throughout the novel. Yamashita comes from a fish shop family and wants to take on the family business when he gets older. Kiyama and Kawabe have troubled family lives. I just wanted to hug Kawabe, a boy trying to deal with a complicated mess of emotions stemming from not having a father. His character arc was my favorite.
Spoiler
When he said he'd be ok with having a father like Ojii-san my eyes GUSHED liquid. And the tears continued to stream when Kiyama described Kawabe's face as 今まで一番晴れた in the last scene.I loved the simplicity of the premise. These boys wanted to know what happened when a person died because Yamashita went to a funeral of a grandparent he didn't know well. Who knew that 12-year-olds would be the perfect characters to explore this concept? I'd much rather read about what Kiyama learned from the life
Spoiler
and deathSpoiler
It made sense that Kiyama declares he wants to write. It was heartwarming too because this confession comes out in a father-son bonding moment.As for the last 20 or so pages, I lost count of the number of tissues I went through. I mean, I was crying so hard that my eyes couldn't read the words and snot was coming out. Every time I thought my emotions were calming down Yumoto just slammed me with another moving passage. It's the details that really got me.
Spoiler
The souvenir frog placed as an offering to go with Ojii-san to his grave and the word for frog also meaning to return home. Ojii-san writing a letter stating to call the boys' homes if anything were to ever happen to him. He wanted them to know. The grapes prepared in expectation of the boys coming to visit. The sleeping seeds under the paved parking lot. The money sent to Ojii-san's ex-wife because the boys found her for him. The desire to preserve memories of someone special to you once they're gone. Not being afraid of death because you've now got a friend there.The magic in this book is how it gets you to remember the people in your life that have passed away and had a great impact on your life. I remembered my granny. I felt grateful that she existed and that I got to have a deep bond with her. Any book that has the power to help me remember that is worth a five star rating. No wonder when I showed people this book and they said they'd read it, they had a certain twinkle in their eye. This is a book to be well loved because it helps you remember those you loved well.
lecturas_niponas's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
petitebookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Lo que me hizo llorar este libro no es ni medio normal
luanndie's review
3.0
“Ahora entiendo un poco por qué me asustan estos fantasmas. Es porque les doy igual. No intentan comprenderme, y yo sé que nunca los comprenderé. (…) Me persiguen, eso es todo. No comprenden mi miedo. Y eso es lo que más me asusta”
Cogí este libro en la biblioteca pensando que era un cómic pero el cambio no supuso ninguna decepción. Yumoto narra la historia de una amistad intergeneracional entre un viejo que vive solo, esperando la muerte, y tres niños que son el hazmerreír de su clase. La relación que se establece entre ellos y la forma que unos ayudan a crecer a los otros me pareció increíblemente tierna. Una hazaña admirable especialmente si se tiene en cuenta el tema principal de esta novela corta, la muerte. La forma en que el final de la vida es asumido en esta novela es interesante y muy inspirador.
“- Es un viejo valiente- exclamó Yamashita
Era verdad. Pensé que, aunque intentáramos matarlo, no moriría; aquel viejo era inmortal”
Mi único problema fue con el estilo ya que al principio me costó cogerle un poco el punto. Sin embargo, una vez que te sumerges en la historia se convierte en una lectura muy placentera.
“Un tío mío me dijo hace mucho, mucho tiempo que morirse es dejar de respirar. En quel entonces, le creí. pero ahora sé que no es verdad. Vivir es algo más que respirar. Y morir tiene que ser algo más que dejar de respirar, supongo”
Cogí este libro en la biblioteca pensando que era un cómic pero el cambio no supuso ninguna decepción. Yumoto narra la historia de una amistad intergeneracional entre un viejo que vive solo, esperando la muerte, y tres niños que son el hazmerreír de su clase. La relación que se establece entre ellos y la forma que unos ayudan a crecer a los otros me pareció increíblemente tierna. Una hazaña admirable especialmente si se tiene en cuenta el tema principal de esta novela corta, la muerte. La forma en que el final de la vida es asumido en esta novela es interesante y muy inspirador.
“- Es un viejo valiente- exclamó Yamashita
Era verdad. Pensé que, aunque intentáramos matarlo, no moriría; aquel viejo era inmortal”
Mi único problema fue con el estilo ya que al principio me costó cogerle un poco el punto. Sin embargo, una vez que te sumerges en la historia se convierte en una lectura muy placentera.
“Un tío mío me dijo hace mucho, mucho tiempo que morirse es dejar de respirar. En quel entonces, le creí. pero ahora sé que no es verdad. Vivir es algo más que respirar. Y morir tiene que ser algo más que dejar de respirar, supongo”
darkcoffeelover81's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
snowflower95's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0