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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
I liked this book, it was rather different. I must say it was a little hard getting into the book, perhaps because some of it didn't translate from Japanese so well. I also was unaccustomed to such great detail given to setting, and the fact that it would go from very little dialogue to pages and pages of nothing but dialogue.
I saw the movie a few years back, and enjoyed that immensely. I am happy to report they keep key elements from the novel in the film, it also made me happy to read direct quotations, including some of the voice overs in the movie that represented things the main character Momoko was thinking in the book.
The book is a Japanese telling of unlikely friends, a Lolita, the ultimate in feminity and a Yanki, a hardcore biker. The Lolita Momoko is determined to not care for anyone and wishes to live out a fanciful, but lonesome life style. The Yanki is Ichiko (Ichigo, actually, which means strawberry but she finds the name too girlie) is a blunt, and brash character who cannot hide that beneath it she has a good heart, she also suffers from insecurity believing herself to be dumb. The two strike up a friendship, and each eventually warm up to one another over time, Ichigo becomes more confident and Momoko realizes it's not so bad to have a friend.
If you're a fan of Japanese culture, especially pop culture, this is the book for you. I admit the first bit is rough to get through, but once you do you meet some pretty unforgettable characters, go on some heartwarming adventure, and even laugh a bit along the way.
I saw the movie a few years back, and enjoyed that immensely. I am happy to report they keep key elements from the novel in the film, it also made me happy to read direct quotations, including some of the voice overs in the movie that represented things the main character Momoko was thinking in the book.
The book is a Japanese telling of unlikely friends, a Lolita, the ultimate in feminity and a Yanki, a hardcore biker. The Lolita Momoko is determined to not care for anyone and wishes to live out a fanciful, but lonesome life style. The Yanki is Ichiko (Ichigo, actually, which means strawberry but she finds the name too girlie) is a blunt, and brash character who cannot hide that beneath it she has a good heart, she also suffers from insecurity believing herself to be dumb. The two strike up a friendship, and each eventually warm up to one another over time, Ichigo becomes more confident and Momoko realizes it's not so bad to have a friend.
If you're a fan of Japanese culture, especially pop culture, this is the book for you. I admit the first bit is rough to get through, but once you do you meet some pretty unforgettable characters, go on some heartwarming adventure, and even laugh a bit along the way.
I think the only thing I like more from the movie is the lie Momoko tells about being Himiko's daughter to save Ichigo. Other than that, the amount of detail and the images Tamekoto creates for the book are so funny and beautiful.
Momoko's cynical approach to life makes for a great narrator (even though, sometimes, she doesn't sound like her, but like Takemoto).
Also, she and Ichigo are gay. Love it.
Momoko's cynical approach to life makes for a great narrator (even though, sometimes, she doesn't sound like her, but like Takemoto).
Also, she and Ichigo are gay. Love it.
I had seen the film version of this book first and was perhaps unduly influenced in that way - I kept waiting for things from the movie to show up, and kept being disappointed. Not actually disappointed, but more aware of the differences in style. The film was much more humorous than the book, relying on a lot of visual gags, which I guess is to be expected.
Anyway. This book is adorable. I am biased because I love stories about ~girl friendship~ but even so. Momoko's narration is sweet and has very strong voice and style. I would've loved to see certain chapters done from Ichigo's point of view as well, but I think that would have flied in the face of the message; in the end, even if they understand each other a bit better, they each have to work through their issues on their own, because only they know what it's like to be Momoko and Ichigo.
Anyway. This book is adorable. I am biased because I love stories about ~girl friendship~ but even so. Momoko's narration is sweet and has very strong voice and style. I would've loved to see certain chapters done from Ichigo's point of view as well, but I think that would have flied in the face of the message; in the end, even if they understand each other a bit better, they each have to work through their issues on their own, because only they know what it's like to be Momoko and Ichigo.
One of the rare occasions in which I prefer the movie over the book, but barely :) this was still a good book and filled many of the plot holes in the movie. Cross-cultural win ^_^ <3 lolita
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Saw the movie first, and looked for the book for years, finally found it and now it's been a while since I saw the movie, but I think I like the book better. Then, i tracked down the comic book and was disappointed, the novel's so much funnier and enjoyable. The comic squeezed the whole novel into a half a manga book, and added a new second half that just did nothing for me at all.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes