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rainbowesque's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
It didn't reach 5 star for me only because the ending eluded me. I couldn't fully understand exactly where the author wanted to go. I was kind of feeling more- more of what? I don't know. Otherwise, the book made me feel a lot of feelings. Althoug it took me one month to read, I never felt bored or on the days when I didn't touch the book, I hadn't felt like I forgot the story. It was rare for me. There is indeed some kind of 'urgency' (in Ruth's words) in the book that makes a reader keep wanting to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, Rape, Physical abuse, Bullying, and Death
aleksssync's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
This book sucks you in. Nao's story is so heartbreaking -- she tells her story to Ruth so unabashedly, which had me quickly adoring her and laughing out loud to some of her commentary. I think the ending of the book was a little SciFi for me but I loved it. Ruth's background and setting were captivating and I also enjoyed reading her parts of the book. Would definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Suicide attempt, Violence, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: War
Minor: Rape
kcsadowsky's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, and War
recorderkfk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Stretch book/ growth edge book for me - but a different mode of storytelling - 2 narratives 1) first person Japanese teenager who grew up in California. 2) third person limited omnipresent narrator of Ruth an author who lives with her husband on an island off of Washington.
The book grows on you the more you read of it!
The book grows on you the more you read of it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Violence, War, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Suicide, Xenophobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Self harm, Stalking, Death of parent, Grief, and Miscarriage
emlev1995's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Bullying
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and War
kaylacope's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.0
I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved Nao and Jiko, together and separate. Ruth’s side I cared less about, but my main question: were we supposed to like Oliver? I assume yes because he’s based off of the author’s husband, but I felt like she made him kinda unlikeable with all the memory jabs and acting like a knowitall 24/7. I think mainly he was used as a plot device to explain the quantum physics and any parts of the journal that the audience may not have picked up on (like when he explained that the dad was bidding and Ruth hadn’t realized) .
Overall I think I will go 4/5 rather than 3.75 mainly because I did care about Nao and Jiko and Harukis #1 to continue to read.
Overall I think I will go 4/5 rather than 3.75 mainly because I did care about Nao and Jiko and Harukis #1 to continue to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Bullying
Moderate: Rape and Sexual violence
valjeanval's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
One of the best books I've read in a long time. Theres's not one moment (or fingersnap of 65 moments) that hasn't been carefully thought through to create this beautiful exploration of time, entanglement, and a life (or a death) with meaning. The research that went into this book must have been incredible. Everything from the daily life of a Japanese high school student in Tokyo to neighborly mechanisms that keep a British Columbian island functionings to the realities of life as a WWII kamikaze pilot and the magical realism that is quantum mechanics. I care deeply for the characters. I feel like I've lived in the setting, and I savored the prose. I don't know what else you could ask for in a novel. It's my first Ruth Ozeki book, but definitely not my last.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, War, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
Moderate: Death of parent, Chronic illness, Grief, Terminal illness, Sexual content, and Death
sandro_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
3.75
A diary of a Japanese girl, Nao, washes up on the coast of British Columbia and is discovered by Ruth. A contemplative, split story that deals with heavy subject matter but ultimately leaves the reader with a sense of hope. It explores the relationship between writer and reader - working best from Nao’s perspective with footnotes teaching us about Japan.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Bullying, and Rape
jaydeecepticon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual assault and War
pamscafati's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Suicide, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt