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umbrellatrees's review against another edition
4.0
"The Great Passage" is a boring novel that will fail to please tons of readers. A not-insignificant number of pages is dedicated to careful descriptions of the process of making a dictionary and, unless you find yourself yearning for this kind of information, it can end up making for a dull read.
(I have to say I freaking love dictionaries, so there's that.)
If the lexicography jargon and Japanese morphology references are not obstacles for you, then you're in for a warm, heartfelt ride.
Though the protagonist is Majime, a socially awkward newly-transferred employee who is tasked with the completion of the dictionary, we have the pleasure of reading full chapters with minor characters under the spotlight as well. Their POVs add a more relatable perspective to Majime's nerdy, obsessive approach: while our protagonist is offering his blood, sweat, and tears to the publishing gods - accompanied by equally passionate Araki and Matsumoto-sensei - there's also loud Nishioka, who couldn't care less about language and faces relationship problems; and, later on, subtly hilarious Kishibe, who mentally calls out her colleagues for their absurd exchanges and overzealous behaviour - but who also finds a husband that is just like her co-workers.
Nonetheless, these last two characters don't hesitate to roll up their sleeves and get down to business so as to make themselves useful. In the same novel, we have the pleasure of seeing what it is like to work with language for passion or for money; in the end, no one is at fault for having their own reasons and motivation to wake up every day.
More importantly, at any rate, they are all working towards the same goal: to immortalize the words which we give meaning to (and which also give us meaning - because what are we without language?).
(I have to say I freaking love dictionaries, so there's that.)
If the lexicography jargon and Japanese morphology references are not obstacles for you, then you're in for a warm, heartfelt ride.
Though the protagonist is Majime, a socially awkward newly-transferred employee who is tasked with the completion of the dictionary, we have the pleasure of reading full chapters with minor characters under the spotlight as well. Their POVs add a more relatable perspective to Majime's nerdy, obsessive approach: while our protagonist is offering his blood, sweat, and tears to the publishing gods - accompanied by equally passionate Araki and Matsumoto-sensei - there's also loud Nishioka, who couldn't care less about language and faces relationship problems; and, later on, subtly hilarious Kishibe, who mentally calls out her colleagues for their absurd exchanges and overzealous behaviour - but who also finds a husband that is just like her co-workers.
Nonetheless, these last two characters don't hesitate to roll up their sleeves and get down to business so as to make themselves useful. In the same novel, we have the pleasure of seeing what it is like to work with language for passion or for money; in the end, no one is at fault for having their own reasons and motivation to wake up every day.
More importantly, at any rate, they are all working towards the same goal: to immortalize the words which we give meaning to (and which also give us meaning - because what are we without language?).
charleygonzaga's review against another edition
3.0
in my heart, 4 stars for Miura's writing! i enjoyed the storyline but this definitely wasn't the easiest read. there was naturally a great use of uncommon wording which was great fun to explore however i found that pausing to look things up disrupted the flow of the story and my overall reading experience. there is also a lot of reference to Japanese culture, grammar, and history. if you are knowledgeable in those aspects, or would like to be, i definitely recommend this.
storyless's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
- Loveable characters? Yes
A light, heartwarming read that gave me a newfound appreciation for lexicographers, dictionaries, and of course, language!
yourandahh's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
relaxing
slow-paced
4.5
jiimjam's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
carrymey's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a wonderful book. I enjoyed it tremendously!
sashas_books's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
“A dictionary is a ship that crosses a sea of words.”
Here is a book about people who are in love with words, here is a book about the making of a dictionary. It’s heart-warming, geeky, poignant, funny. There are lots and lots of cool details about Japanese language, meanings of various words, and the process of editing and publishing a dictionary. My inner geeks and nerds were very happy.
When Aroki the editor has to retire and needs a successor, he knows that “my task is to find someone who loves dictionaries as much as I do – no, more.” Enter Majime, a walking definition of nerdiness and geekiness. Here he is, at a welcome dinner with his new colleagues:
“What’s your hobby, Majime?" Nishioka boldly asked, searching for a friendly ouverture.
“If I had to pick something, I guess it would be watching people get on the escalator.”
Silence descended on the table.
(There is an excellent explanation for this fascination with escalators, don’t you worry.)
For Majime, this is a story of finding his calling, his agency, a life he loves. Watching it happen is a pleasure. The romance is understated and cute. When it turns out that there is a potential love interest for Majime (Kaguya – she is a chef, and she is not letting anyone “interfere with her world”), the editorial team has to go and check her out. What if she doesn’t understand the lifestyle of dedication that lexicography needs? I really don’t know what this says about these people… ahem. By the way, Majime, when a girl you adore asks you out, you don’t start thinking about the deeper meanings of two similar verbs so that you forget to answer. Just a thought.
I like it when an annoying and obnoxious character becomes someone you can root for, just because the author switches POV.
“Majime was incapable of flattery. Since Majime had said it, Nishioka could believe it: he was needed. He wasn’t a deadweight after all. He felt a burst of joy and pride.
Majime had turned back to his desk with an unconcerned look on his face, little suspecting that he had been Nishioka’s salvation.”
Of course, there are deeper things at play here than just the process of dictionary-making. Words and language define us, connect us, define the world around us, and influence how we see the world. In the end there is sadness and joy, tragedy and a sense of accomplishment, and work that has neither a beginning nor an end.
“Words gave things form so they could rise out of the dark sea.”
P.S. Three five star books in a row, amazing! Not that I am complaining...
Here is a book about people who are in love with words, here is a book about the making of a dictionary. It’s heart-warming, geeky, poignant, funny. There are lots and lots of cool details about Japanese language, meanings of various words, and the process of editing and publishing a dictionary. My inner geeks and nerds were very happy.
When Aroki the editor has to retire and needs a successor, he knows that “my task is to find someone who loves dictionaries as much as I do – no, more.” Enter Majime, a walking definition of nerdiness and geekiness. Here he is, at a welcome dinner with his new colleagues:
“What’s your hobby, Majime?" Nishioka boldly asked, searching for a friendly ouverture.
“If I had to pick something, I guess it would be watching people get on the escalator.”
Silence descended on the table.
(There is an excellent explanation for this fascination with escalators, don’t you worry.)
For Majime, this is a story of finding his calling, his agency, a life he loves. Watching it happen is a pleasure. The romance is understated and cute. When it turns out that there is a potential love interest for Majime (Kaguya – she is a chef, and she is not letting anyone “interfere with her world”), the editorial team has to go and check her out. What if she doesn’t understand the lifestyle of dedication that lexicography needs? I really don’t know what this says about these people… ahem. By the way, Majime, when a girl you adore asks you out, you don’t start thinking about the deeper meanings of two similar verbs so that you forget to answer. Just a thought.
I like it when an annoying and obnoxious character becomes someone you can root for, just because the author switches POV.
“Majime was incapable of flattery. Since Majime had said it, Nishioka could believe it: he was needed. He wasn’t a deadweight after all. He felt a burst of joy and pride.
Majime had turned back to his desk with an unconcerned look on his face, little suspecting that he had been Nishioka’s salvation.”
Of course, there are deeper things at play here than just the process of dictionary-making. Words and language define us, connect us, define the world around us, and influence how we see the world. In the end there is sadness and joy, tragedy and a sense of accomplishment, and work that has neither a beginning nor an end.
“Words gave things form so they could rise out of the dark sea.”
P.S. Three five star books in a row, amazing! Not that I am complaining...
kalliste's review against another edition
4.0
I never thought I'd read a book about a team building a dictionary, let alone like a book about a team building a dictionary but it was quite good.