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caroisreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is divided in two parts. Book One was my favorite by far, and as a standalone work, pretty much perfect, a 5.0. I cried at the beauty of her descriptions of the older sister's simple and sweet devotion to her little sister, as well as the strained relationship with her teen daughter.
Book Two is primarily focused on the younger sister, and I had trouble getting through its density -- beautiful writing, though overwhelmingly verbose. The prose doesn't have the back and forth dynamic that Book One does, switching from the teen's journal entries to the narrator's POV. Maybe that switch made Book Two feel more plain. Still very meaningful.
As a whole, this book delivers on what it means to be a woman in this world, the pressures and injustices, sexuality, the obsession with fertility, youth and appearances. The female characters sort through these themes in a heartbreaking, yet brave and honest way. I loved them, related wholeheartedly with them, and rooted for them.
You'll like this if you're interested in female perspectives, solitary main characters, thoughtful and intelligent writing.
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Cancer, Pedophilia, Rape, Body shaming, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Infertility, Death, Death of parent, Sexism, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Suicide, Incest, and Misogyny
thebookwasbetter_22's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Moderate: Chronic illness, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Grief, Infertility, Medical content, Pedophilia, Vomit, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Suicide, Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Alcohol, Bullying, Rape, and Suicide attempt
oz2021's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Death of parent and Medical content
Moderate: Chronic illness and Infertility
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Terminal illness
nozycozy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Infertility, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Trafficking, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Mental illness, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, and Sexual assault
nrogers_1030's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Graphic: Abandonment and Alcohol
Moderate: Chronic illness, Pregnancy, and Cancer
Minor: Fatphobia, Alcoholism, Death, Blood, Pedophilia, Infidelity, Domestic abuse, and Sexual content
sofiadanielle's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Also, the synopsis on the back does not really have much to do with the novel, as the whole ‘Midoriko’s silence’ gets resolved in Book One, which is only roughly 30% of the novel? So.. That also sort of detracted points for me, though I suppose I could’ve done more thorough research about the novel before reading.
This book made me think a lot about being a woman. Though I am not in the same stage of life as Natsuko, I found myself pondering the same things she did; about loneliness, about relationships, career path… These themes and Kawakami’s dedication to them definitely push the novel towards that 4 star rating for me, if only personally. The ending also felt fulfilling in my opinion, both in terms of themes and for the characters!
I am excited to read more of Kawakami’s work after completing this novel!
Moderate: Child abuse, Terminal illness, Sexism, Alcohol, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Death, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Misogyny, and Infertility
clarityandchaos'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? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Blood, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Death, Infertility, Grief, and Pregnancy