Reviews

Asleep by Banana Yoshimoto

chikin's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective relaxing 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? It's complicated

4.75

luciamendez's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-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

4.75

Las protagonistas de Banana Yoshimoto siempre me traen un poquito de angustia y alivio, el ritmo de  sus rutinas son tan ordinarias y complejas emocionalmente que se sienten como amigas. Es un libro corto y fácil de leer, perfecto para volver a sentir la vida diaria.

el despertar del sueño profundo y acordarse "Ah estoy viva, siempre lo he estado" es de los momentos más dulces y tristes que he leído

uruseibaka's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

I’ve read three Banana Yoshimoto books so far, all with different translators. But I’ve always gotten this strong tug in my chest everytime I read her works. It’s just amazing how her writing has transcended language and is completely conveyed through emotions.

boogiebee's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

zaraishka's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

shinheiba_sm's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

sakisreads's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

2.5

✨ Thrifted ✨

I liked Banana Yoshimoto’s other works, so I was hopeful this one would give me more to love!

Unfortunately, it didn’t hit the same way as the others had for me 🥲 I felt as though the short stories took me nowhere…
However, I did gasp at certain elements (e.g. Maki and Yoshihiro getting together, Haru and the main character in the second story being in a love hate relationship etc.) and some of it had me gripped.

A quote that stuck with me:
‘That's why he's so nervous. As soon as he starts thinking of the two of you as a unit, his situation becomes extremely dangerous, you see? So for the time being you're nil, you're being held in reserve, the pause button is pressed down, you're stacked in the stockroom, you're life's special bonus.’ 😳

2.5 out of 5 stars for me, thank you ✨

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Grief, and Gaslighting

amrutha_r's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

dialhforhgai's review against another edition

4.0

In the night everything seemed possible.

humjh's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5