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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I much prefer the concept of this book to its execution. I usually don’t mind but the back and forth pattern of the narration did not work for me this time. My full review can be found at: https://tarobubbles.com/2021/10/17/tokyo-ueno-station-by-miri-yu-a-review/
3.5 - just read in one sitting. A poignant study on homelessness, grief, and Japanese culture. This was incredibly sad and left me feeling extremely empty!!! But was like a slow motion car crash I couldn’t look away from… really elegant and atmospheric at times but overall felt it was just missing something.
“And as I retreated into the future, the only thing I could ever see was the past. It was nothing as sweet as nostalgia or a longing for bygone days, just a constant absence from the present, an anger toward the future.”
“And as I retreated into the future, the only thing I could ever see was the past. It was nothing as sweet as nostalgia or a longing for bygone days, just a constant absence from the present, an anger toward the future.”
This slim volume tells of Kazu, who left his home in Fukushima to work as a day laborer for the construction of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Year after year, his wages barely support his wife and two children back home. His life is one of struggle punctuated by the erratic and rare joys of family, fatherhood and community.
In his old age and living back in Fukushima, Kazu is often visited by his granddaughter, Mari. She makes him fried eggs and toast for breakfast. As he ages, he feels he has become a burden to his only child and slips away to a homeless camp near Ueno station.
Throughout the book, Kazu feels a connection with the imperial family...his son shares a birthday with the prince, he and his wife saw the emperor in their youth, and yet as a frail old man living in a tent, he was forced to move his home because the prince’s car is scheduled to drive by the station.
This book is complex and detailed and presents a side of Japan not easily seen.
In his old age and living back in Fukushima, Kazu is often visited by his granddaughter, Mari. She makes him fried eggs and toast for breakfast. As he ages, he feels he has become a burden to his only child and slips away to a homeless camp near Ueno station.
Throughout the book, Kazu feels a connection with the imperial family...his son shares a birthday with the prince, he and his wife saw the emperor in their youth, and yet as a frail old man living in a tent, he was forced to move his home because the prince’s car is scheduled to drive by the station.
This book is complex and detailed and presents a side of Japan not easily seen.
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
this was good and beautifully written but oh my gosh was it endlessly depressing. literally just sadness upon sadness. this book delves into a nuanced take of the cycle of poverty and homelessness through the life of a man, Kazu, who now haunts Tokyo Ueno Station. If you’re going to pick this up just be aware of the deep pit of sadness that this book is.
reflective
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
It took me a long time to get into the story. Not much happens at the beginning, and the first 100–150 pages felt slow. I also found the book overly descriptive at times, and the characterization could have been stronger, especially for the side characters.
However, the story eventually picks up. I became invested in the murder mystery and the plotline surrounding Darlington. The world-building and atmosphere were compelling, the intrigue steadily built throughout the story, and I appreciated the way the book explored power, privilege, and trauma.
However, the story eventually picks up. I became invested in the murder mystery and the plotline surrounding Darlington. The world-building and atmosphere were compelling, the intrigue steadily built throughout the story, and I appreciated the way the book explored power, privilege, and trauma.