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eliretief's review against another edition
4.0
I am someone who forgets a book's plot the moment after I read it, and I decided to summarise the book as I was reading, which really enhanced by reading experience. I think this book had a lot of subtle details that I wouldn't have remembered if I did not document the plot as I did. I think the details made the book for me and also going back and reflecting on the plot made it such a rich reading experience. So I think my opinion would have been different if I had just read it as I normally would.
I was not previously familiar with the creation myth of Izanami and Izanagi but I found myself thinking about the book a lot, especially about Izanami and Namima and the suffering they had to endure.
As far as my understanding goes and trying to compare the original myth with the book, I think the book adds nuance and a new narrative to the myth which was interesting. I also enjoyed the feminist perspective the book had with Izanami and Namima. They were both complex characters - especially Izanami.
The book kind of fell short to me at the end, I felt that Izanaki (or Unashi) was forgiven too easily. He was the cause of Izanami's bitterness and her suffering for so long and led a fulfilled life in the land of the living. In the end, all the spirits in the realm of the dead kind of took his side which almost absolved him from any wrongdoings. I think Izanami's fate was even more tragic and she did not receive the same reception as Izanaki who was inadvertently responsible for thousands and thousands of deaths, Izanami's suffering, and sealing her fate in the Realm of the dead forever.
I think Namima and Izanami were also punished just for being women in the book - they faced such unfortunate fates but in no way was anything made up to them. You can take this as a comment on the role of women and the discrimination and circumstances of women throughout history.
Izanami is almost portrayed to be the real villain of the story which I feel is somewhat unfair. I feel she also also judged rather harshly by other characters in the book as well.
While Namima does end up loyally serving Izanami, when she says "Izanami is without a doubt a woman among women. The trials she has borne are the trials all women must face", I felt this could be taken two ways. One one hand, Izanami becomes a testament to women's hardships but on the other hand, it somewhat condems women to this same fate. I don't know if it's a problem with the translation but to imply that 'all women' must face these trials, is unfair when men like Izanaki are forgiven for everything after living such a fulfilled life. The choice of words here just put me off and makes a huge difference in how the book's ending in received in my opinion.
I was not previously familiar with the creation myth of Izanami and Izanagi but I found myself thinking about the book a lot, especially about Izanami and Namima and the suffering they had to endure.
As far as my understanding goes and trying to compare the original myth with the book, I think the book adds nuance and a new narrative to the myth which was interesting. I also enjoyed the feminist perspective the book had with Izanami and Namima. They were both complex characters - especially Izanami.
The book kind of fell short to me at the end, I felt that Izanaki (or Unashi) was forgiven too easily. He was the cause of Izanami's bitterness and her suffering for so long and led a fulfilled life in the land of the living. In the end, all the spirits in the realm of the dead kind of took his side which almost absolved him from any wrongdoings. I think Izanami's fate was even more tragic and she did not receive the same reception as Izanaki who was inadvertently responsible for thousands and thousands of deaths, Izanami's suffering, and sealing her fate in the Realm of the dead forever.
I think Namima and Izanami were also punished just for being women in the book - they faced such unfortunate fates but in no way was anything made up to them. You can take this as a comment on the role of women and the discrimination and circumstances of women throughout history.
Izanami is almost portrayed to be the real villain of the story which I feel is somewhat unfair. I feel she also also judged rather harshly by other characters in the book as well.
While Namima does end up loyally serving Izanami, when she says "Izanami is without a doubt a woman among women. The trials she has borne are the trials all women must face", I felt this could be taken two ways. One one hand, Izanami becomes a testament to women's hardships but on the other hand, it somewhat condems women to this same fate. I don't know if it's a problem with the translation but to imply that 'all women' must face these trials, is unfair when men like Izanaki are forgiven for everything after living such a fulfilled life. The choice of words here just put me off and makes a huge difference in how the book's ending in received in my opinion.
rosannaevanscornwall's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
lisa_brg's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
theladygrey's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
moth_dance's review against another edition
3.0
Beautiful, but not spectacular. Remarkable, but not memorable.
Some noticeable translation errors towards the end.
Some noticeable translation errors towards the end.
wildcard_vi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
aberdeenwaters's review against another edition
5.0
I love most things Japanese and all things mythology, so this hit a personal sweet spot. I like Kirino's writing, and she added some nice dimensions to this age-old myth. The final line was fantastic. I continue to really enjoy all the Canongate Myth books. Great series.
poppyamber's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
drsldn's review against another edition
2.0
I so wanted to enjoy this book, but it was, for my taste, not nearly entrancing enough. The writing felt flat (although i can understand that some readers may prefer that to overwrought emotion). I am glad to have now tasted of some Japaense mythology, though.
sandra94's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75