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beth_s_'s review
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
2.0
fourfootedbeasts's review
dark
reflective
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
3.5
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/