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threeundertwopnw's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A maddening read at times, as the characters talk a lot without really saying anything. Yet a lot of life in post-war Japan is covered through their stories. Includes a big plot twist that I guessed early on. Fascinating immersive read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Child death, Classism, Abandonment, Pregnancy, Death, Suicide, and War
xmifeng_'s review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
banger writing style, but i was rather confused at the end. will definitely check out never let me go though
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
kitten_nuisance's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Suicide, Child death, Animal cruelty, and Grief
Moderate: Sexism, Death of parent, War, and Pregnancy
justinlewry's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Mrs Fujiwara always tells me how important it is to keep looking forward. And she’s right. If people didn’t do that, all of this-I pointed again at the view-all this would still be rubble.
This story is quite deceptive. I questioned the purpose of the narrative for much of the book. On its surface it appears that we are moving between two unrelated periods in our protagonist's life, however in a brief but revelatory moment, it becomes clear that much of what we have been presented has not been entirely true. I believe that Etsuko and her friend Sachiko are one and the same, and that the present day Etsuko has inserted herself into her memories to be the voice of reason and challenge her rationale of the past. Etsuko feels responsible for her daughter's suicide, and the enormity of this weighs heavily in such subtle ways- like it is always bubbling under the surface.
I found the writing style to extremely atmospheric and enjoyed my time with this book very much. I feel that it would be even better upon repeat readings as I would notice more of the breadcrumbs which first seemed insignificant. I am very curious to read more from this author, particularly as I've heard that his other books are all wildly different.
I found the writing style to extremely atmospheric and enjoyed my time with this book very much. I feel that it would be even better upon repeat readings as I would notice more of the breadcrumbs which first seemed insignificant. I am very curious to read more from this author, particularly as I've heard that his other books are all wildly different.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, and War
a_epistemological_crisis's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Suicide
Minor: Death, Suicide, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, and Animal cruelty
cordeliamartin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Grief, Violence, and War
Minor: Death of parent, Pregnancy, Death, Abandonment, and Alcohol
kstericker's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Animal cruelty, and Abandonment
Minor: War and Domestic abuse
spacecars's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Moderate: Suicide
amelialikesmatcha's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ishiguro reached into my brain and rearranged the structure with this writing, he literally changed my brain chemistry after reading this one. very complicated characters and works backwards into the past off a post-war Japan with little genuine or non-narcissistic detail from the main character. perception of motherhood, cultural assimilation, and overall ability to connect to a reader without revealing any true emotion is impressive - worth the read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child death, and Child abuse
booksjessreads's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
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? It's complicated
2.5
I read this a long time ago, but I do remember this being quite a difficult read to get through. I felt it was very telling of Nagasaki during the time in which it was set, especially surrounding the cultural norms of women and childbearing. I did like elements of the writing, but the story was quite monotonous and at times it felt hard to read. I think it has been interesting to see the way in which the writing style of the author has evolved and it was nice to read and appreciate his earlier works. This book was just not my favourite but it has not made my estimations of Ishiguro sink. I just thought it was quite average.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Suicide
Moderate: War