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quinnster's review
4.0
I read a book years and years ago about a woman who had a contentious relationship with her father after her mother died young. She was not allowed to see her mother's family anymore and he father remarried right away. As soon as she was able she moved out of Japan and away from her father and stepmother. This was the YA book of that except that it was through the eyes of the child as she's going through it and it was just really sad.
The one thing I don't enjoy about Japanese culture is the idea that it is disrespectful to anyone that a child should want to see her grandparents or aunts and uncles of their deceased parent. I understand why, I just couldn't imagine not having a relationship with half my family. Especially for Yuki, who had no other family. Her stepmother was a monster, no two ways around it and her father was not any better.
Thankfully, the book ended on a hopeful note and we do see Yuki let go of the material reminders of her mother so her father and stepmother couldn't hurt her with them, but the book left me feeling melancholy, though grateful for my parents and family.
The one thing I don't enjoy about Japanese culture is the idea that it is disrespectful to anyone that a child should want to see her grandparents or aunts and uncles of their deceased parent. I understand why, I just couldn't imagine not having a relationship with half my family. Especially for Yuki, who had no other family. Her stepmother was a monster, no two ways around it and her father was not any better.
Thankfully, the book ended on a hopeful note and we do see Yuki let go of the material reminders of her mother so her father and stepmother couldn't hurt her with them, but the book left me feeling melancholy, though grateful for my parents and family.
beecatbell's review against another edition
5.0
This book was slightly depressing.
There was much description, but it wasn't overdone or anything.
The character herself was interesting; not your typical, perfect main character.
It was an enjoyable look into Japanese culture.
One of my favorites this year.
There was much description, but it wasn't overdone or anything.
The character herself was interesting; not your typical, perfect main character.
It was an enjoyable look into Japanese culture.
One of my favorites this year.
tora76's review against another edition
5.0
I liked this a lot. I kept feeling surprised at it for some reason and finally I realised why. It felt very normal in a way I am not sure I've ever seen in a book about Japan written in English (as in, not translated from Japanese). Even when the author isn't white, if they're writing for an English-speaking audience, there's often a tinge of exoticism (sometimes more than a tinge), but there wasn't any of that here at all. Sadly, the cover illustration tries to make up for that by showing a girl in kimono, despite the fact that the book is set in the '70s and the only people ever mentioned wearing kimono are Yuki's grandparents, and her father and stepmother at their wedding ceremony. [return][return]One thing that bugged me was that there was this chapter where she seems to totally have a crush on this girl and I thought that's where the story was going, especially since later she still has no interest in guys and this is pointed out several times. But then later it turns out that she was just ~damaged~ from her father's betrayal and didn't want to fall in love, and then she does and is happily heterosexual.
littlecornerreads's review
4.0
The novel opens with a suicide, so you don't exactly expect a happy, cherry story. At the same time, you aren't stuck with a depressing tragedy. The story is nicely balanced and beautifully crafted. "Shizuko's Daughter" is well-written and moving. Definitely a unique novel. Feels less plot-y and more like an exploration of human relationships. Not something I expected to love, but it definitely left me with a good feeling at the end.
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