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ritamarika's review against another edition
4.0
interesting thoughts about the human race, i really enjoyed this book
pollyandthebooks's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.25
wizardjenkins's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
_inge's review against another edition
I really did try to get into this, but I couldn’t. The plot was a bit confusing but I stuck with it, given I knew it wasn’t meant to be clear. But whenever a misogynistic comment came through it pulled me out of the story even more. Apparently Mishima was most likely gay, but he still lived in a time when women were thought of in this way.
Right on page 4 it says ‘even the womenfolk remained fearless’. At this point I knew I had to worry for the rest of the novel. Stereotypes then continue to be put forward, one woman is even called a slut. Later on one of the main characters says he enjoys the ‘smooth valley between their plump white breasts’. I quit reading after the segment where everyone is ‘observing every move of his body as if he were a woman’. Looking at reviews, I’m yet to meet the main misogynistic character in this novel. Better stop reading before I do.
Right on page 4 it says ‘even the womenfolk remained fearless’. At this point I knew I had to worry for the rest of the novel. Stereotypes then continue to be put forward, one woman is even called a slut. Later on one of the main characters says he enjoys the ‘smooth valley between their plump white breasts’. I quit reading after the segment where everyone is ‘observing every move of his body as if he were a woman’. Looking at reviews, I’m yet to meet the main misogynistic character in this novel. Better stop reading before I do.
sillypunk's review
2.0
Probably not the best to read if you're a feminist, given the author was a right wing Japanese nationalist who committed seppuku: https://blogendorff.com/2023/10/27/book-review-beautiful-star/
bella1810's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
banjodesu's review against another edition
I don't know, maybe its just me, but I don't really appreciate it when SOMEONE FANTASISES ABOUT MURDER EVERY OTHER PAGE.
momomo's review
3.0
Has interesting moments, like the lengthy debate about the value of humanity towards the end, but large parts of it are also quite dry and monotonous.