Reviews

The Emissary by Yōko Tawada

kalin_grace's review

challenging reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

brooklynsbookcase's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No

3.5

netylu's review

emotional reflective

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

5.0

a beautiful book. you have to trust the author and let her unravel the world slowly, even if, at first, it feels strange and alien and incomprehensible. the author paints a world that doesn't seem scary, although it is. the relationship between a boy and his great-grandfather enlightens that bleak setting. I haven't read anything like this before. Also, kudos to the translator for doing a wonderful job!

christineponkey's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

katrinanguyen's review

funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.0

Strange but in a fun, unique way. Easy read 

orlaelan's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Abandonment, and Chronic illness

alicebme's review

4.0

Wow.

nanica's review against another edition

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? No

2.0

humblebee20's review against another edition

3.0

A book that I ate up in one sitting. While I loved the premise and the beginning settled me in for a wonderful stage of futuristic, dystopian Japan, I felt like I was left hanging. The book feels like an introduction to a much larger and more in depth novel. The pacing is fine until the last 20 or so pages and then I just felt like the book stopped, and pretended it wanted to do something else to fill a superficial word count. Very enjoyable up until that point though. A very fun and thought world that felt real. Would recommend if you want a quick read and you don't mind a abrupt end.

lizaliza5's review

dark funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

3.0

i don't understand what happened in the ending and it's annoying. so many things about this book were never explained