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4.43 AVERAGE
4.43 AVERAGE
5 big stars!
i loved this slice of life graphic novel so much, the characters are all adorable and it's beautiful to read about the different cultures, interactions and how these characters navigate through the struggles of learning a new language and living in a foreign country and asian diaspora experience.
It's complex yet so simple and beautiful :') i loved it a lot.
i loved this slice of life graphic novel so much, the characters are all adorable and it's beautiful to read about the different cultures, interactions and how these characters navigate through the struggles of learning a new language and living in a foreign country and asian diaspora experience.
It's complex yet so simple and beautiful :') i loved it a lot.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Himawari House is a sweet coming -of-age story of discovery and friendship. Plot-wise, nothing much happens in this year in the life of the people of the Himawari share house, but Himawari House is all about the relationships. Harmony Becker illustrates everyday interactions as readers watch the characters become friends and lean on each other as they figure out their lives, along with glimpses of who they were before coming to Japan. Nao navigating her Japanese and American heritage is a familiar narrative, so having Hyejung’s and Tina’s perspectives provide a more global cultural aspect which, in addition to the multilingual dialogues, makes for more nuanced and complex experiences of the Asian diaspora (Becker’s note on accents at the end is worth highlighting).
While I didn’t become particularly attached to the characters or their storylines, I was surprised at how sad I was after turning the last page. It felt like I was just getting to know them and then it was time to say goodbye, which really captures part of growing up.
While I didn’t become particularly attached to the characters or their storylines, I was surprised at how sad I was after turning the last page. It felt like I was just getting to know them and then it was time to say goodbye, which really captures part of growing up.
5/5
I loved Harmony Becker’s work on THEY CALLED US ENEMY, so I was so excited to read her solo debut. HIMAWARI HOUSE is one of the best graphic novels I’ve read in a while. I was absolutely blown away by her heartfelt storytelling and stunning art! The added layer of the emphasis placed on language (different languages, grammatical errors, accents, etc.) was especially impressive and made the story feel so much more genuine. All of the characters feel so real and endearing, and they made me laugh and cry in every chapter. And I cannot stress how gorgeous the art is!! I can’t wait for Harmony Becker’s next project, and I highly recommend giving HIMAWARI HOUSE a read!
I loved Harmony Becker’s work on THEY CALLED US ENEMY, so I was so excited to read her solo debut. HIMAWARI HOUSE is one of the best graphic novels I’ve read in a while. I was absolutely blown away by her heartfelt storytelling and stunning art! The added layer of the emphasis placed on language (different languages, grammatical errors, accents, etc.) was especially impressive and made the story feel so much more genuine. All of the characters feel so real and endearing, and they made me laugh and cry in every chapter. And I cannot stress how gorgeous the art is!! I can’t wait for Harmony Becker’s next project, and I highly recommend giving HIMAWARI HOUSE a read!
Moving to a new place can be hard but acceptance can be even harder. Nao is such a great character and one that readers will connect with. She is so multi-faceted and depth. Her search for acceptance from within her heritage is one that many will connect to. By allowing other characters to tell their story and take center stage, the book allows for many voices to rise and add to the dynamics of the plot. While I struggled to make out some of the text, I imagine that was intentional to have the reader feel the pressure and uneasy ness of not knowing a language fully.
Such a beautiful book that really did surprise me with its excellence. I picked it up as a fun and relatable Asian slice of life read based in Japan, and got hit with the most deep and heartfelt stories of feeling too American but too Asian, not living up to parental expectations, struggling with where you are in life, fear of wasting your youth, the complexities in language, and accepting your successes and downfalls.
“My mother, who could weave complex tapestries, rich with nuance and humor, in Japanese... reduced to stringing simple words together like flimsy plastic beads on a necklace. How could she stand it when there was always so much to say?”
The art was magnificent and really breathed even more life into the story. The main three girls we follow including our main character are so lovable and I think just for me they were so relatable and cute from the k-dramas to the love of food. It dealt with so many troubles that we might also feel in our day to day lives and how these characters dealt with them in the best way they could. I just loved slowly getting to know everyone from the point of view of our main character, Nao. Funny at times, emotional at times, and so cute in others, a 4.5 for me but I rounded it up!!
“My mother, who could weave complex tapestries, rich with nuance and humor, in Japanese... reduced to stringing simple words together like flimsy plastic beads on a necklace. How could she stand it when there was always so much to say?”
The art was magnificent and really breathed even more life into the story. The main three girls we follow including our main character are so lovable and I think just for me they were so relatable and cute from the k-dramas to the love of food. It dealt with so many troubles that we might also feel in our day to day lives and how these characters dealt with them in the best way they could. I just loved slowly getting to know everyone from the point of view of our main character, Nao. Funny at times, emotional at times, and so cute in others, a 4.5 for me but I rounded it up!!
Today I read Himawari House and I’m OBSESSED. Literally cried because it was over.
This graphic novel tells the beautiful story of the people who live at Himawari House. It focuses primarily on three college-aged girls, Nao, Hyejung, and Tina, as they are learn about life, love, and themselves in Tokyo over the course of a year. Gosh this made me feel. HH reminded me of the bonds of friendship and sisterhood I found with my college friends (love yous!
This graphic novel tells the beautiful story of the people who live at Himawari House. It focuses primarily on three college-aged girls, Nao, Hyejung, and Tina, as they are learn about life, love, and themselves in Tokyo over the course of a year. Gosh this made me feel. HH reminded me of the bonds of friendship and sisterhood I found with my college friends (love yous!
( 5 stars )
this book is so stunning. i love the characters so much—the love that nao, hyejung, and tina had for each other was so tangible. it’s a moving coming of age story in every sense, so i’m not surprised it resonated with me so much. i would looooove to see this adapted into a movie someday.
this book is so stunning. i love the characters so much—the love that nao, hyejung, and tina had for each other was so tangible. it’s a moving coming of age story in every sense, so i’m not surprised it resonated with me so much. i would looooove to see this adapted into a movie someday.