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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
natalieneighbor's review against another edition
3.0
i read this one for class so it's not the kind of book i would usually pick up myself. that said, i found the extremely specific character and world to be really compelling. i wasn't interested much in the actual main romance itself - i found it pretty boring and stereotypical, to be honest - but i was really interested in the ins and outs of being a zainichi korean in japanese society, and what it meant for all the characters.
there was one moment in this novel that genuinely almost brought me to tears, made stronger by the compelling audio narrator i was listening to. so while the romance fell flat for me, other relationships were excellently written and leagues more engaging for me.
overall, i learned a lot just through reading this narrative and that's a good experience on its own, given that its such a specific place that i would likely have never really heard about on my own. but the romance, which is meant to be the driving factor of the plot, was by far the least interesting thing about it.
there was one moment in this novel that genuinely almost brought me to tears, made stronger by the compelling audio narrator i was listening to. so while the romance fell flat for me, other relationships were excellently written and leagues more engaging for me.
overall, i learned a lot just through reading this narrative and that's a good experience on its own, given that its such a specific place that i would likely have never really heard about on my own. but the romance, which is meant to be the driving factor of the plot, was by far the least interesting thing about it.
heatheremurray's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book more and more as I went along, but it parts of it still made me eyeroll pretty hard. Sugihara is an interesting character as the narration lets you get to know him better, and I found him very endearing. That said, you've got to suspend your disbelief with Sakurai. She's very much a Japanese manic pixie dream girl, and some of the things that come out of her supposed virginal teenage mouth are laughable at best. I liked the book most when its about Sugihara's relationships with his friends and family.
rowanandtarot's review against another edition
5.0
Engaging and enlightening!
I didn't want to stop reading this book. I loved the characters. They were so beautifully written. I read this book to learn a little more about Japanese culture because I teach English to some Japanese engineers. This book is not likely to help me to understand my students better, but I will hold these characters in my heart for a long and cheer for them to defeat racism and discrimination.
I didn't want to stop reading this book. I loved the characters. They were so beautifully written. I read this book to learn a little more about Japanese culture because I teach English to some Japanese engineers. This book is not likely to help me to understand my students better, but I will hold these characters in my heart for a long and cheer for them to defeat racism and discrimination.
willow1099's review against another edition
4.0
Go is interesting, heartwarming, sad, and sometimes the characters are disappointing in an oh so human way. The narrative of ethnic discrimination and national belonging is moving and poignant and I think can be applied to all people in all eras. Having seen the movie as well I would recommend reading the novel for a deeper understanding of the characters, the social and cultural context, and the relationships the characters have with each other.
jason_reads_books's review against another edition
5.0
*****I received this book for free through the Kindle First program.*****
This book introduced me to a new Japanese author, and one with a distinct voice and experience to share. Writing about the community of Japanese-born Korean kids in Japan, Kaneshiro tackles the difficult concepts of self-identity and what it means to be "from" somewhere. A touching and sometimes painful story takes us through one life that shines a light on a community of which the West is largely unaware. I highly recommend it.
This book introduced me to a new Japanese author, and one with a distinct voice and experience to share. Writing about the community of Japanese-born Korean kids in Japan, Kaneshiro tackles the difficult concepts of self-identity and what it means to be "from" somewhere. A touching and sometimes painful story takes us through one life that shines a light on a community of which the West is largely unaware. I highly recommend it.
rh13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, and Classism