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kittymamers's review against another edition
3.0
oleks ma seda raamatut aasta alguses lugenud, oleksin ilmselt nentinud, et jube imelik ikka. aga olles nüüd iga kuu vähemalt ühe jaapani raamatu läbi töötanud, võin öelda, et jaapanlaste kohta üle keskmise okei. ma ei tea, mis värk sellega on - kas nad kirjutavadki imelikult, kas neid ei osata tõlkida või ma lihtsalt ei suuda nendega samas sihis mõelda, aga... mulle ei istu.
selles kontekstis vaadates on tegu üle keskmise koherentse ja hubase lasteraamatuga. jah, tegevus toimub II MS aegses Jaapanis ja mis hubasust sealt oodata, eks raske on kõigil. aga lõpuks ikkagi selline klassikaline lastetoalugu, salaja elavad kuskil koduse raamatukogu nurgas väikesed inimesed, keda pere noorim laps peab iga päev klaasitäie piimaga toitma, sest... lihtsalt peab (nii palju kui ma aru saan, mingit otsest tulu sellest kellelegi ei tõuse, v.a. see et Kohustus on Täidetud. väga jaapan). sõda ja evakueerimised ja selline värk muidugi teevad asja keerulisemaks.
lasteloole lisaks saab siit püüda lugeda seda kihti, et kuidas jaapanlased ise paarkümmend aastat hiljem end selle sõja suhtes tundsid. mis on üsna huvitav, sest ega seda kaotaja perspektiivi nii väga palju jagatagi, eriti lasteraamatutes. kui see nüüd üldse ikka on lasteraamat. neid jaapanlasi ei või iial teada.
selles kontekstis vaadates on tegu üle keskmise koherentse ja hubase lasteraamatuga. jah, tegevus toimub II MS aegses Jaapanis ja mis hubasust sealt oodata, eks raske on kõigil. aga lõpuks ikkagi selline klassikaline lastetoalugu, salaja elavad kuskil koduse raamatukogu nurgas väikesed inimesed, keda pere noorim laps peab iga päev klaasitäie piimaga toitma, sest... lihtsalt peab (nii palju kui ma aru saan, mingit otsest tulu sellest kellelegi ei tõuse, v.a. see et Kohustus on Täidetud. väga jaapan). sõda ja evakueerimised ja selline värk muidugi teevad asja keerulisemaks.
lasteloole lisaks saab siit püüda lugeda seda kihti, et kuidas jaapanlased ise paarkümmend aastat hiljem end selle sõja suhtes tundsid. mis on üsna huvitav, sest ega seda kaotaja perspektiivi nii väga palju jagatagi, eriti lasteraamatutes. kui see nüüd üldse ikka on lasteraamat. neid jaapanlasi ei või iial teada.
kappafrog's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This book was recommended to me as being for fans of Studio Ghibli, and it definitely hit the mark. It's like Arrietty meets Grave of the Fireflies, though thankfully much less graphic than the latter. The delightful Borrowers-like story has a somber backdrop of Japanese nationalism and its victims. I enjoyed seeing that world through the eyes of Yuri and the Ashe family. The ending was a little abrupt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Chronic illness, Classism, Sexism, War, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Confinement
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
worldlibraries's review
4.0
I heard about this book thanks to the Global Literature in Libraries inaugural translated young adult literature award. The Secret of the Blue Glass was one of the submissions in the first year, and was chosen for the shortlist of ten titles. This does not mean the book is contemporary to these times, just that the translation of Tomiko Inui's book by Ginny Tapley Takemori was published in the last three years. The book was actually originally published in 1959.
The Secret of the Blue Glass is fantasy in a historical fiction setting of WWII Japan. The book has a very powerful metaphor for children describing how even in the worst of times, at any age you can look out for little people who may depend on you for their sustenance:
The mother in the story says to her daughter about the little people their family have been charged with looking after, '...I want you to promise me that, wherever you go, you always keep giving milk to the Little People. Will you do that for me?'
Yuri nodded fearfully.
''I can't help believing that if you can keep those vulnerable little people alive, then Daddy will be saved too... I'm sure Shin would laugh at me, though. Daddy was given the Little People and their blue glass goblet by his teacher, an Englishwoman, while he was looking after them and taking them their milk, something took root in his heart that affects the way he sees the world. That's why he can't agree with our country going to war, for example.''
I loved the simple goodness on display in the book and the descriptions of the Japanese landscapes and the sparkling blue glass were incredible. Like the book, Heidi, the joy felt so palpable! The pleasure of 'just enough' and food for the day was very powerfully described. I felt like I was there in Japan with the main characters as they mentally and physically lived through wartime Japan deprivation.
If I was the editor of the book, I would have gently suggested to the writer the last 1/3 of the book needed more, as it lost charm when a vaguely-described imp character was introduced and the ending was surprising, sad, and not particularly satisfactory to the reader. Still, this book is worth reading. It's a very powerful story.
The Secret of the Blue Glass is fantasy in a historical fiction setting of WWII Japan. The book has a very powerful metaphor for children describing how even in the worst of times, at any age you can look out for little people who may depend on you for their sustenance:
The mother in the story says to her daughter about the little people their family have been charged with looking after, '...I want you to promise me that, wherever you go, you always keep giving milk to the Little People. Will you do that for me?'
Yuri nodded fearfully.
''I can't help believing that if you can keep those vulnerable little people alive, then Daddy will be saved too... I'm sure Shin would laugh at me, though. Daddy was given the Little People and their blue glass goblet by his teacher, an Englishwoman, while he was looking after them and taking them their milk, something took root in his heart that affects the way he sees the world. That's why he can't agree with our country going to war, for example.''
I loved the simple goodness on display in the book and the descriptions of the Japanese landscapes and the sparkling blue glass were incredible. Like the book, Heidi, the joy felt so palpable! The pleasure of 'just enough' and food for the day was very powerfully described. I felt like I was there in Japan with the main characters as they mentally and physically lived through wartime Japan deprivation.
If I was the editor of the book, I would have gently suggested to the writer the last 1/3 of the book needed more, as it lost charm when a vaguely-described imp character was introduced and the ending was surprising, sad, and not particularly satisfactory to the reader. Still, this book is worth reading. It's a very powerful story.
mat_tobin's review
5.0
Entrusted with the job of looking after a small family of Little People (think Borrowers), the Moriyama family have, for decades, ensured that they are safe and well-protected. Their single role as custodians? To leave a glass of milk each night for them to drink from.
But when war descends upon Japan, it tears the family apart in many ways as the care of the Little People is left to the youngest of the family: Yuri. Physically frail, she, along with the Little People, is taken to live with some distant relatives in the mountains, far away from the bombing. But will Yuri have the strength to care for the Little People and can she say strong enough for her brothers and parents who are away and under fire?
Originally published in Japan in 1967, it offers a fascinating insight into wartime Japan and young readers will find the parallels to the stories told in the UK revealing. How and why does war divide a family and what does it mean to honour your country and your family: this little book has some big themes within it and it's so well told and translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori. I think, in the UK especially, we can adopt a very Westernised and limiting view of the war and the effect that it had on so many; it is a part of almost all world cultures and to read this is to offer a window into another life in which the choices of the people and their lives will do more than echo those upon our doorstep.
But when war descends upon Japan, it tears the family apart in many ways as the care of the Little People is left to the youngest of the family: Yuri. Physically frail, she, along with the Little People, is taken to live with some distant relatives in the mountains, far away from the bombing. But will Yuri have the strength to care for the Little People and can she say strong enough for her brothers and parents who are away and under fire?
Originally published in Japan in 1967, it offers a fascinating insight into wartime Japan and young readers will find the parallels to the stories told in the UK revealing. How and why does war divide a family and what does it mean to honour your country and your family: this little book has some big themes within it and it's so well told and translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori. I think, in the UK especially, we can adopt a very Westernised and limiting view of the war and the effect that it had on so many; it is a part of almost all world cultures and to read this is to offer a window into another life in which the choices of the people and their lives will do more than echo those upon our doorstep.
iilex's review against another edition
4.0
Prior to reading The Secret of the Blue Glass all I knew about it was that it is a Japanese children's fantasy novel about miniature people from the 1960s. I was basically expecting a Japanese version of [b:The Borrowers|348573|The Borrowers (The Borrowers, #1)|Mary Norton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1308945559s/348573.jpg|802336]. The Secret of the Blue Glass is certainly similar to The Borrowers in many ways, but at its heart it is about the experience of everyday Japanese citizens during WWII. This is no cutesy tale. Characters have thoughts like, "Our life as students is just a stay of execution - just until we go to war and die." Before handing this book to a child, maybe think about what they can (or can't) handle.
Overall I enjoyed The Secret of the Blue Glass. I haven't read much on the experience of the Japanese people during WWII and I liked reading about it from the view of miniature people. The whole time I was reading it, I was mindful of the original publication date - the 1960s. For someone used to modern middle grade reads, The Secret of the Blue Glass is going to be very different, perhaps not in a positive way. It certainly reads as old-fashioned and there's a certain lack of characterization. It's not atypical of older children's fantasy, but others may be dissatisfied. The only real complaint that I have is that there's a lack of closure. The book ends fairly abruptly and leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Still, I liked it and am glad it's now available in translation. 4 out of 5 stars.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Overall I enjoyed The Secret of the Blue Glass. I haven't read much on the experience of the Japanese people during WWII and I liked reading about it from the view of miniature people. The whole time I was reading it, I was mindful of the original publication date - the 1960s. For someone used to modern middle grade reads, The Secret of the Blue Glass is going to be very different, perhaps not in a positive way. It certainly reads as old-fashioned and there's a certain lack of characterization. It's not atypical of older children's fantasy, but others may be dissatisfied. The only real complaint that I have is that there's a lack of closure. The book ends fairly abruptly and leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Still, I liked it and am glad it's now available in translation. 4 out of 5 stars.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
rorikae's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
'The Secret of the Blue Glass' by Tomiko Inui, translated by Tapley Takemori follows the story of a small family that lives up on a shelf in a library in Tokyo and the family that takes care of them.
Originally from England, the Ashes are a family of small people that were carried to Tokyo in a handbasket. Entrusted to the Moriyama family and their children, they live out their life in the Moriyama's library. But as World War II draws closer and threatens Tokyo, the Moriyama's young daughter may be sent away to the countryside and the Ashe's may need to flee with her.
'The Secret of the Blue Glass' is an interesting middle grade novel that mixes the story of a Borroweresque family in Japan with the daily experience of a Japanese family during World War II. It balances the horrors of war with the whimsy of a fantastical family. Because we spend time with both, there is less of a focus on the Ashe family than I expected. Unlike the Borrowers where there is a lot about the family's life and different situations that they get into, this story focuses more on the relationship between them and the Moriyama family. I wish that there had been more plot as it felt more like characters reacting to events than being active participants.
This story is short and relatively to the point. Though it isn't particularly exciting, I do think that it does a good job of balancing the aspects about the war with a family story.
Originally from England, the Ashes are a family of small people that were carried to Tokyo in a handbasket. Entrusted to the Moriyama family and their children, they live out their life in the Moriyama's library. But as World War II draws closer and threatens Tokyo, the Moriyama's young daughter may be sent away to the countryside and the Ashe's may need to flee with her.
'The Secret of the Blue Glass' is an interesting middle grade novel that mixes the story of a Borroweresque family in Japan with the daily experience of a Japanese family during World War II. It balances the horrors of war with the whimsy of a fantastical family. Because we spend time with both, there is less of a focus on the Ashe family than I expected. Unlike the Borrowers where there is a lot about the family's life and different situations that they get into, this story focuses more on the relationship between them and the Moriyama family. I wish that there had been more plot as it felt more like characters reacting to events than being active participants.
This story is short and relatively to the point. Though it isn't particularly exciting, I do think that it does a good job of balancing the aspects about the war with a family story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, Grief, and War
Minor: Incest
jennybeastie's review against another edition
3.0
I am a fan of The Borrowers, so I looked forward to this story of tiny people in Japan.
Unfortunately, while it is an interesting portrait of war-time Japan, it has a slow and meandering plot, with relatively flat characters and somewhat inexplicable parameters. We hear, for instance, that the small people must be given milk and only milk, but that does not appear to be true later on. Also, there is a timeframe that must be met before they can return to their large people and that is oddly arbitrary. There is never an explanation for so many things about the small people, and the adult tinies seem, passive, relatively helpless, and not particularly helpful or kind to their large caretakers.
I think if Miyazaki turned it into a film, I might enjoy it, but short of that, it has little to recommend it, and has failed to capture the joy and intrigue of the lives of tiny people.
Advanced reader's copy provided by Edelweiss.
Unfortunately, while it is an interesting portrait of war-time Japan, it has a slow and meandering plot, with relatively flat characters and somewhat inexplicable parameters. We hear, for instance, that the small people must be given milk and only milk, but that does not appear to be true later on. Also, there is a timeframe that must be met before they can return to their large people and that is oddly arbitrary. There is never an explanation for so many things about the small people, and the adult tinies seem, passive, relatively helpless, and not particularly helpful or kind to their large caretakers.
I think if Miyazaki turned it into a film, I might enjoy it, but short of that, it has little to recommend it, and has failed to capture the joy and intrigue of the lives of tiny people.
Advanced reader's copy provided by Edelweiss.
bewildered_3's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
pearlgoddness's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
iilex's review
4.0
Prior to reading The Secret of the Blue Glass all I knew about it was that it is a Japanese children's fantasy novel about miniature people from the 1960s. I was basically expecting a Japanese version of [b:The Borrowers|348573|The Borrowers (The Borrowers, #1)|Mary Norton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1308945559s/348573.jpg|802336]. The Secret of the Blue Glass is certainly similar to The Borrowers in many ways, but at its heart it is about the experience of everyday Japanese citizens during WWII. This is no cutesy tale. Characters have thoughts like, "Our life as students is just a stay of execution - just until we go to war and die." Before handing this book to a child, maybe think about what they can (or can't) handle.
Overall I enjoyed The Secret of the Blue Glass. I haven't read much on the experience of the Japanese people during WWII and I liked reading about it from the view of miniature people. The whole time I was reading it, I was mindful of the original publication date - the 1960s. For someone used to modern middle grade reads, The Secret of the Blue Glass is going to be very different, perhaps not in a positive way. It certainly reads as old-fashioned and there's a certain lack of characterization. It's not atypical of older children's fantasy, but others may be dissatisfied. The only real complaint that I have is that there's a lack of closure. The book ends fairly abruptly and leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Still, I liked it and am glad it's now available in translation. 4 out of 5 stars.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Overall I enjoyed The Secret of the Blue Glass. I haven't read much on the experience of the Japanese people during WWII and I liked reading about it from the view of miniature people. The whole time I was reading it, I was mindful of the original publication date - the 1960s. For someone used to modern middle grade reads, The Secret of the Blue Glass is going to be very different, perhaps not in a positive way. It certainly reads as old-fashioned and there's a certain lack of characterization. It's not atypical of older children's fantasy, but others may be dissatisfied. The only real complaint that I have is that there's a lack of closure. The book ends fairly abruptly and leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Still, I liked it and am glad it's now available in translation. 4 out of 5 stars.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.