Reviews

The Street of a Thousand Blossoms by Gail Tsukiyama

literarycoffeecat's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

book_concierge's review

4.0

This fine novel follows two Japanese families over three decades - from 1930s to 1960s. Interesting detail on sumo wrestling, Noh theater and the effects of the war. Tsukiyama's writing is poetic.

alidottie's review

3.0

There were many things I loved about this book because I have a special interest in Japan right now. I loved how she threw in Japanese words on a regular basis and how I learned more about life in Japan before during and after WWII. Unfortunately, the book left me too sad. I didn't care for the ending. I actually fell asleep right after I read the last page and had a dream that all these bad things were happening to a family I know and even in the dream I was saying, "why does everything keep happening to them?" Sure I have read other books with more sad/tragic happenings, but that doesn't appeal to me. I would rather see the triumph play out!

vegprincess's review

4.0

For the most part, an excellent read. There were just a few parts that dragged just a little.

cemoses's review against another edition

3.0

Not as good as some of her other books. I thought it was a bit overdone that both brothers go into unusual occupations. I think the story would have been better if one brother had a more conventional occupation.

The parts about life in Japan during the second world war were the best.

sprigplantar's review

3.0

It was okay, I think the characters never really felt fully fleshed out and I didn't really care for most of them, aside from maybe two characters

betag1013's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

4.5

mlesophy's review

emotional inspiring sad 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? No

4.0

A slow read, but a intensely emotional and necessary journey through various characters lives. Very well written (with my only problem being the random use of Japanese for common words - "hai" instead of yes).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Grief, and Homophobia

sapientsaphead's review

5.0

I really enjoyed the author's style of writing and am looking forward to reading more books by her. I felt like I was right there with all her characters through their grief, their joy, and even just the every day moments that make up life.

labtracks's review

3.0

I didn't love this as much as others. It was very long and honestly dragged quite a bit. I did finish it and found it sufficiently entertaining, but I wasn't moved by it.
People love these generational books, especially when they have a cultural aspect. This definitely gives you a glimpse into cultural aspects and I found the sumo portion quite interesting, but it wasn't enough for me.