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woodsybookworm's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Another 'what on earth did I just read?' book - I definitely have a type 😅
The Hole follows Asahi 'Asa' as she and her newlywed husband Muneaki move to the countryside, becoming next door neighbors to Muneaki's parents.
Asa struggles to find herself in this new life - newly married, new home, no job - her entire identity as it once was has disappeared and in its place she has become simply "the bride". Muneaki's mother, Tomiko, prides herself in her role as a housewife and from the window next door Asa sees her future laid out before her very eyes.
Asa moves through this new slow life by taking daily walks to 7-Eleven, moseying along the river, and through the trees with only the sound of cicadas for company until one day she sees a strange animal in the woods that's been digging holes...
I think we could discuss this book in its own forum at nauseum. We could discuss gender politics, the identity crisis, the fact a woman can be whatever they desire - a worker, a mother, a housewife - all day long and that's one of the interesting things about this story. It's so short but in those few pages so much is really being said.
I will say this isn't a happy book. If you're interested in an odd read that raises more questions than answers then I'd give The Hole a try.
The Hole follows Asahi 'Asa' as she and her newlywed husband Muneaki move to the countryside, becoming next door neighbors to Muneaki's parents.
Asa struggles to find herself in this new life - newly married, new home, no job - her entire identity as it once was has disappeared and in its place she has become simply "the bride". Muneaki's mother, Tomiko, prides herself in her role as a housewife and from the window next door Asa sees her future laid out before her very eyes.
Asa moves through this new slow life by taking daily walks to 7-Eleven, moseying along the river, and through the trees with only the sound of cicadas for company until one day she sees a strange animal in the woods that's been digging holes...
I think we could discuss this book in its own forum at nauseum. We could discuss gender politics, the identity crisis, the fact a woman can be whatever they desire - a worker, a mother, a housewife - all day long and that's one of the interesting things about this story. It's so short but in those few pages so much is really being said.
I will say this isn't a happy book. If you're interested in an odd read that raises more questions than answers then I'd give The Hole a try.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Dementia
danimacuk's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Dementia
Minor: Confinement, Grief, and Animal death
kinddog2073's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.75
Very creepy-crawly and anxious narration. Easy read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
The blurb on the back says it is unsettling and it does deliver in this respect.
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