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cobwebshelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This is a conflicting one, properly leaning more towards a 2.5, and I wonder if it's just that Nieda's translations don't click for me. They work from a technical point but the language kind of feels stifled. While the summary speaks of the relationship between Sugihara and Sakurai as the focal point, it felt more like a B plot to the story and was certainly its biggest weakness. The conversations fell flat and the development of their relationship felt like a confetti gun - fired off in an instant and fizzled out just as quickly. It doesn't help that the dialog between these two in particular felt lifeless, including this gem:
"What kind of music do you listen to?" she asked.
"All different kinds. But I guess I don't listen to a lot of Japanese music."
"Why not?"
"I don't know. I never really thought about it. What kind of music do you listen to?"
"I listen to all different kinds. But I guess I don't listen to a lot of Japanese music."
"Why not?"
"I don't know. I never really thought about it."
"I guess that makes us the same."
"I guess it does."
This would be effective portrayal of awkward teenagers early in a relationship were it not for the fact that plenty of other dialog instances really shone, especially concerning discussions of ethnicity and xenophobia. That's really where "Go" shines - it's raw in its discussion of the social predisposition of Zainichi and how they're perceived by the Japanese society. Kaneshiro captures the sense of alienation, of belonging everywhere and nowhere, beautifully. It's only a shame that such scenes were little isles of gold in between what was otherwise a slog to get through.
Structurally, the novel felt a little disorganised, as time skips and flashbacks often occurred suddenly, with little warning, making the timeline muddled sometimes, though I will commend that all loose ends tied together. I don't mind the protagonist being an annoying violent teenage boy but some instances of violent bordered on the line of impossibility.
Though the strength of "Go" lies in its depiction of social struggle and little dips into philosophy, it falls short when it comes to convincing characterisation.
Graphic: Child death, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Suicide
hjb_128's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Racism, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
aperrey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, and Violence
ximevillarejo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Police brutality, Murder, Classism, and Deportation
aliciae08's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
It had a slow start that did pick up pace, but some of the translation at the beginning of the book felt wooden. It was very character-driven and followed a main protagonist who was both so angry and hopeful that he could change things.
It was interesting to see how racism is enacted upon non-Black people of color by a non-white dominant group. There was discussion on how we’re all connected down to DNA and that the only thing othering humans are man-made borders. It was compelling.
I adored the love the male characters have for one another. Even though there is representations of toxic masculinity, there was deep love and care there. It was unexpected for me and I hope to read more books with male relationships similar to that (if not less violent).
I did not like the love interest. She was peak manic pixi dream girl.
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
serendipity421's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, and Racism
jselliot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
While not a perfect book, it was satisfying by the end. It just has some flaws that are directly related to the social culture of the late 90s, particularly with how same-sex relationships were viewed as deviant at the time. (Obvious content warnings with small-time gang violence and child abuse.)
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, and Grief
eopn's review against another edition
2.0
Graphic: Bullying, Racism, and Violence