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madlnt's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
This is an interesting book about an artist of war propaganda from Japan in WWII - he is dealing with rectifying his past as a fairly well known artist with his past with the war, and his present as a man that the average person blames for the war and American occupation.
It’s slow and reflective, repetitive because of the narrators unreliable nature, but it’s for a reason. He presents his points of view as the utmost height of polite Japanese society, and cannot see how Japan is changing around him after the war.
It’s slow and reflective, repetitive because of the narrators unreliable nature, but it’s for a reason. He presents his points of view as the utmost height of polite Japanese society, and cannot see how Japan is changing around him after the war.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Misogyny
Moderate: War
Minor: Suicide
d_ckag's review
4.75
Ótimo livro! Adorei a leitura. Muito perto de botar 5 estrelas.
A temática é muito interessante, um artista que durante a segunda guerra pintava propagandas para o Japão Imperial e, após o fim do conflito, é obrigado a lidar com as consequências de suas ações e seu papel na guerra. Além disso, com a mudança do mundo e das gerações futuras, com a perda de tradições japonesas e a influência ocidental na cultura.
Apesar de apreciar a calma com que a história é contada, acho justo dizer que certos momentos podem ter sido monótonos demais.
A temática é muito interessante, um artista que durante a segunda guerra pintava propagandas para o Japão Imperial e, após o fim do conflito, é obrigado a lidar com as consequências de suas ações e seu papel na guerra. Além disso, com a mudança do mundo e das gerações futuras, com a perda de tradições japonesas e a influência ocidental na cultura.
Apesar de apreciar a calma com que a história é contada, acho justo dizer que certos momentos podem ter sido monótonos demais.
mittens_the_scamp's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bairdo's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
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
3.75
zeev's review against another edition
4.0
im a sucker for subtlety, unreliable narrators, and repeated visuals !!!!
blau_elmo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.25
A masterpiece of unreliable narration. Ishiguro is such an expert at hiding nuances within his words, and it is only in retrospect after the entire picture is put into place that one realises the guilt, pride and flaws of our protagonist, Masuji Ono.
The self-doubt, the conflation of one's conviction with authority (contradicted by his inability to stop the police from harassing his protege), and his strong desire to get Noriko, his daughter, married, as a way to make up for her previously failed negotiations, which he assumes to be caused by his past as a propaganda artist for Imperial Japan, when in reality his influence is not so wide-reaching, shows his character. He is untrustworthy, proud and ridden with guilt, which drives him to prevaricate and try to make amends with old students and mentors, all of which now no longer wish to associate with him.
It is a book about inter-generational conflict, but more importantly, a muddled sense of self. It is complex, and leaves so much for the reader to ponder about. Great read.
The self-doubt, the conflation of one's conviction with authority (contradicted by his inability to stop the police from harassing his protege), and his strong desire to get Noriko, his daughter, married, as a way to make up for her previously failed negotiations, which he assumes to be caused by his past as a propaganda artist for Imperial Japan, when in reality his influence is not so wide-reaching, shows his character. He is untrustworthy, proud and ridden with guilt, which drives him to prevaricate and try to make amends with old students and mentors, all of which now no longer wish to associate with him.
It is a book about inter-generational conflict, but more importantly, a muddled sense of self. It is complex, and leaves so much for the reader to ponder about. Great read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
esthersedition's review against another edition
2.0
‘An Artist of the Floating World’ by Kazuo Ishiguro was quite disappointing for me especially since I love his other works so much. This just really missed the mark.
His usual unique way of writing in a detailed way, focused on the character and their thoughts did not flow well for me in this book. It was all over the place moving between the modern world to a past period in Japan that detailed aspects about the main character's upbringing and journey through adulthood. Which I guess serves the title of the book well, but I don’t think it was executed as he intended.
Probably the only book of his I really wouldn’t recommend, which is so hard to say given that I usually really love his writing style. If I could sum the book up I wouldn’t be able to do so without making it sound boring (which it was). It follows the life of a renowned war-time Japanese patriotic artist named, Ono who has children and grandchildren. The end.
It was also quite confusing to read, even for someone like me who is very interested in war-time historical fiction - I just didn’t get it the book. Everything was a bit too obscure with no real philosophy or lesson attached to it.
All in all quite disappointing.
His usual unique way of writing in a detailed way, focused on the character and their thoughts did not flow well for me in this book. It was all over the place moving between the modern world to a past period in Japan that detailed aspects about the main character's upbringing and journey through adulthood. Which I guess serves the title of the book well, but I don’t think it was executed as he intended.
Probably the only book of his I really wouldn’t recommend, which is so hard to say given that I usually really love his writing style. If I could sum the book up I wouldn’t be able to do so without making it sound boring (which it was). It follows the life of a renowned war-time Japanese patriotic artist named, Ono who has children and grandchildren. The end.
It was also quite confusing to read, even for someone like me who is very interested in war-time historical fiction - I just didn’t get it the book. Everything was a bit too obscure with no real philosophy or lesson attached to it.
All in all quite disappointing.
matthewptaylor's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0