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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
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:
Yes
challenging
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Please enjoy this rambling thought dump:
I didn't really get invested or understand the point until about halfway through. But unrelaveling Ono's back story was so intriguing. I think would have gained better understanding at the start if I was more aware of the political opinions at the time cos it took me too long to understand the underlying conflict between everyone.
The overarching realisation of Ono consistently having pride in his work but only later realising he was mistaken, but admiring himself and anyone who truly makes an effort to make an impact on the world no matter what the outcome of that was so interesting. There were times I really found him insufferable though. He acknowledges that overall politically he may have been wrong but takes no responsibility for his actions at the time, their impact on others and he makes no effort to redeem them or make things right in the present. Just says that he was wrong but he did the best he could at the time and admires himself for it still.
I didn't really get invested or understand the point until about halfway through. But unrelaveling Ono's back story was so intriguing. I think would have gained better understanding at the start if I was more aware of the political opinions at the time cos it took me too long to understand the underlying conflict between everyone.
The overarching realisation of Ono consistently having pride in his work but only later realising he was mistaken, but admiring himself and anyone who truly makes an effort to make an impact on the world no matter what the outcome of that was so interesting. There were times I really found him insufferable though. He acknowledges that overall politically he may have been wrong but takes no responsibility for his actions at the time, their impact on others and he makes no effort to redeem them or make things right in the present. Just says that he was wrong but he did the best he could at the time and admires himself for it still.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I got this one as an audiobook. The narrator has a flat, buttoned-up, British accent that does not work with this story. If ever they come out with an updated recording with an appropriate narrator, I will happily revisit this title.
Ishiguro is an amazing author and in many ways this is an amazing book. However, in this story I ultimately failed to sympathise or even empathise with the main character and was lefting wanting at the end of the book.
I like it more than 'when we were orphans', but it's low on the list of Ishiguros books.
I like it more than 'when we were orphans', but it's low on the list of Ishiguros books.
This was an extraordinarily fantastic book. Somehow, it was definitely a pleasure to read.
See, I find it absolutely fascinating that the author is British, and yet has managed to write a novel that felt absolutely Japanese. Yes, Ishiguro has Japanese roots, but nevertheless, his British upbringing gives the impression that he is more a British writer with Japanese origins, rather than a Japanese writer who happens to write in English. And this background, together with this output, is just stellar. I lived in Japan for almost five years, and Japanese culture - for better or for worse - is something that I have a higher-than-average familiarity with. This book definitely read like a Japanese novel, with plenty of British undertones. It might be a rash characterisation to say it like this, but it felt like a Victorian novel that happened to be set in Post-WWII Japan.
What I find most impressive perhaps is the novel's stellar characterisation of implied meaning, which I believe is a common feature in Japanese society. There is a huge emphasis on not losing face, and so one would do everything they can to agree, and this creates interesting conversation dynamics. There are plenty of metaphors, numerous instances where an uncomfortable topic is discussed but in a round-about way, many instances of gaslighting, for example. Being direct is definitely not a positive trait in this society. And Ishiguro somehow captured that perfectly, and it was absolutely fantastic to read these dynamics in many different points in the book.
I also like the subject matter, and while I am not well-educated to understand what exactly was the national psyche in Japan after WWII, I can assume that plenty of values have changed. And this change of values was a primary subject matter here. What used to be considered as the received view somehow became the undesirable view after the war, and there were people who reacted very differently to these changes. Such a delicate subject matter, and the author managed to depict it succinctly and with grace.
Overall I definitely liked this book. It also brings memories to the time I was in Japan. And yes, it does create the longing for me to come back, yet another time, and revisit this fantastic country. Maybe soon. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
See my other book reviews here.
See, I find it absolutely fascinating that the author is British, and yet has managed to write a novel that felt absolutely Japanese. Yes, Ishiguro has Japanese roots, but nevertheless, his British upbringing gives the impression that he is more a British writer with Japanese origins, rather than a Japanese writer who happens to write in English. And this background, together with this output, is just stellar. I lived in Japan for almost five years, and Japanese culture - for better or for worse - is something that I have a higher-than-average familiarity with. This book definitely read like a Japanese novel, with plenty of British undertones. It might be a rash characterisation to say it like this, but it felt like a Victorian novel that happened to be set in Post-WWII Japan.
What I find most impressive perhaps is the novel's stellar characterisation of implied meaning, which I believe is a common feature in Japanese society. There is a huge emphasis on not losing face, and so one would do everything they can to agree, and this creates interesting conversation dynamics. There are plenty of metaphors, numerous instances where an uncomfortable topic is discussed but in a round-about way, many instances of gaslighting, for example. Being direct is definitely not a positive trait in this society. And Ishiguro somehow captured that perfectly, and it was absolutely fantastic to read these dynamics in many different points in the book.
I also like the subject matter, and while I am not well-educated to understand what exactly was the national psyche in Japan after WWII, I can assume that plenty of values have changed. And this change of values was a primary subject matter here. What used to be considered as the received view somehow became the undesirable view after the war, and there were people who reacted very differently to these changes. Such a delicate subject matter, and the author managed to depict it succinctly and with grace.
Overall I definitely liked this book. It also brings memories to the time I was in Japan. And yes, it does create the longing for me to come back, yet another time, and revisit this fantastic country. Maybe soon. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
See my other book reviews here.
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
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
I turn to Kazuo Ishiguro whenever I'm in mood for some melancholy and deep thinking. I enjoy his unreliable narrators and unusual themes he likes to cover in his books. This was no exception.
An artist of the Floating world is beautifully written as a stray of an old man's thoughts, his wishes, regrets and coming to terms with aspects of his life he might not be proud of. I resonated with him projecting his own self-judgment and regret on people around him and misunderstanding different situations based on his point of view. Reality was hidden between the lines and that lack of straightforwardness is what I especially enjoyed in this book. It was also interesting to have a look at life from the perspective of someone who is nearing life's end and in that aspect this book reminded me of The Burried Giant
I must say I'm not sure if I understood everything correctly, but that's the beauty of reading. I will definitely be picking up more of Ishiguro's work this autumn! 4.5/5
An artist of the Floating world is beautifully written as a stray of an old man's thoughts, his wishes, regrets and coming to terms with aspects of his life he might not be proud of. I resonated with him projecting his own self-judgment and regret on people around him and misunderstanding different situations based on his point of view. Reality was hidden between the lines and that lack of straightforwardness is what I especially enjoyed in this book. It was also interesting to have a look at life from the perspective of someone who is nearing life's end and in that aspect this book reminded me of The Burried Giant
I must say I'm not sure if I understood everything correctly, but that's the beauty of reading. I will definitely be picking up more of Ishiguro's work this autumn! 4.5/5