Reviews with content warning for Infidelity - Days at the Morisaki Bookshop

Reviews tagging 'Infidelity'

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

145 reviews

juliatsang's review against another edition

4.25

emotional lighthearted sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

ellie_1997's review against another edition

2.5

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

tinkeringcheck's review against another edition

4.25

hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-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

It's rare to read a book about how stories can touch a life, and actually feel the same way about the book itself. One of those books that might technically be one certain rating, but is a perennial favourite in your heart. The author so tenderly handles that anxious feeling of being lost in life, wanting to be seen, worried you've gone on the wrong path and where to find the right one, and dealing with depression - especially in your 20s. It's rare to see that met with loving understanding instead of dismissal, literally through Satoru and figuratively through the narrative.

There are 2 parts, and they read more like 2 episodes in the show of Takako's life - one about her life in the bookshop, and the next more of a slice-of-life mystery. The first act is stronger than the 2nd, mostly because it focuses on Takako and painting the world of the bookshop. She's a fleshed out and relatable character with her own struggles, lovable and funny in her own way too. Her growth as she rediscovers a supportive relationship with her equally funny and loving uncle Satoru was a joy to read. (I highlighted so many bits of unpretentious wisdom and life advice from Satoru. I wish we all had such an unconditionally loving relative in our lives.)

The only thing I wanted was more of it, and thankfully there's a sequel! I'm interested in looking into the Japanese authors mentioned throughout the book as well.

Content Warnings

aristocles's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective fast-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

I’d recommend this book for people going through a tough time as it helps you to get through it

Content Warnings

sop17hie's review against another edition

3.0

reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I didn't feel like I connected with the main character, but I would love to spend time at this bookshop

Content Warnings

blackberryjambaby's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Little by little, I felt something wash over me, a feeling of peace that words can't express. If I had to explain it, I'd say it could only have come from the writer's fervent love for life.

For me, this is that book. At only 1/3 of the way through this book, I packed up & headed to my favourite secondhand bookshop. I have been reading this year, but I have not felt like a reader, I haven't been getting the joy out of it that I remember from my childhood. This book has changed me. What an absolute delight!

Content Warnings

reallife_kazbrekker's review against another edition

3.0

hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

This was quite cute and adorable, can't wait to read the next book in this series!
I love tiny cozy little books like this so much, I just wish they weren't so expensive... Glad I managed to find this and the sequel on sale at a local bookstore!

Content Warnings

danchez's review against another edition

3.75

hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

brittneyk's review against another edition

4.25

emotional hopeful reflective relaxing slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

itsnotalakeitsanocean's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous emotional lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Honestly this was an extremely average book, but I think the problem was that I've read a fair amount of Japanese literature that this is nothing particularly new to me. I feel like this book gets marketed by people who haven't experienced much Japanese culture in a similar vein to Studio Ghibli movies (where the stakes are very low to non existent and everyone sits around and eats good food and it's all nice and cozy) when there are stakes in the book and they ignore larger underlying themes.

I will say it's a good gateway for people who want to get into Japanese literature but find bigger books more intimidating, and then use it as a stepping stone for longer books or Japanese short story anthologies.

Content Warnings

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