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ireney5's review against another edition
4.0
*2020 Popsugar Reading Challenge*
Advanced Prompt #5. A book set in Japan, host of the 2020 Olympics
You have to take into consideration the fact that this book was written almost 20 years ago in Japan, a country that's generally more "traditional" than Western countries (to put a positive spin on it) - meaning, it has cultural norms that might seem strange, inappropriate, or just plain wrong to a western audience in 2020.
Case(s) in point:Mildly incestuous references (Guy had a crush on his aunt growing up, leading him to like older women), "forced fellatio" of a student cartoonishly forcing her affections on her professor, who is seen as the victim/good guy, and more.
You have to look at these things through a cross-cultural lens and not from a west-is-best mindset. For example, it's not weird in Japan to jokingly say "I'm going to rape you if you do that" in the way that Americans might say "I'll kill you if you do that," and if you think about it, it's not like murder is any better than rape, so there's nothing inherently worse about the rape threat than the murder threat when both are used as jokes, even though one clearly sounds much worse to westerners. I'm not saying it should become socially acceptable to say that in the west, but just pointing out an example of something that's normal in one culture but horrifying and borderline-illegal in another.
Now that that's out of the way, I want to applaud the strong feminist message in this collection of five connected stories. More so because while most of the stuff in this collection isn't at all radical or shocking to western audiences, they're extremely contrary to East Asian ideals and social norms. They are emotional, highly intimate, uncomfortable at times, and realistic in spite of the soap opera-level dramatics and sometimes exaggeratedly cartoonish art style. This book brings up age-gap couples and "undesirable" jobs (an older divorced woman marrying a young handsome man who used to get paid for talking to older women), gender roles (a newlywed woman disappointed that her husband doesn't do his share of the cooking and housework), physical disabilities, poverty, possible child abuse, gender equality in the workplace, bullying, and mostly pointedly, the relationship between a mother and her daughter.
It's not the first manga I've read, but it's the first one I've read in probably 10+ years, and the first in "one-shot" style. It's also by far the most jarring, bold and layered and by far the least afraid to approach difficult issues. I didn't realize until I read this that I was under the misconception that western-based graphic novels and comic books could be deep/intellectual/philosophical/academic but asian-style graphic novels were made purely for entertainment or art. This is even more evident when I admit that I chose this book in particular because the cover displays "Eisner Award-nominated creator" under the author's name - something that surprised me coming from a Japanese mangaka. It's a valuable lesson, and I'm glad I learned it now. If I could go back to my super tough 4th year of university Graphic Novels class, I would have asked for less [b:Logicomix: An Epic Search for Truth|6493321|Logicomix An Epic Search for Truth|Apostolos Doxiadis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1312031956l/6493321._SX50_.jpg|6684749] and [b:Palestine|769712|Palestine|Joe Sacco|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1569917057l/769712._SX50_.jpg|755771] and more works in translation from non-Western countries.
Advanced Prompt #5. A book set in Japan, host of the 2020 Olympics
You have to take into consideration the fact that this book was written almost 20 years ago in Japan, a country that's generally more "traditional" than Western countries (to put a positive spin on it) - meaning, it has cultural norms that might seem strange, inappropriate, or just plain wrong to a western audience in 2020.
Case(s) in point:
You have to look at these things through a cross-cultural lens and not from a west-is-best mindset. For example, it's not weird in Japan to jokingly say "I'm going to rape you if you do that" in the way that Americans might say "I'll kill you if you do that," and if you think about it, it's not like murder is any better than rape, so there's nothing inherently worse about the rape threat than the murder threat when both are used as jokes, even though one clearly sounds much worse to westerners. I'm not saying it should become socially acceptable to say that in the west, but just pointing out an example of something that's normal in one culture but horrifying and borderline-illegal in another.
Now that that's out of the way, I want to applaud the strong feminist message in this collection of five connected stories. More so because while most of the stuff in this collection isn't at all radical or shocking to western audiences, they're extremely contrary to East Asian ideals and social norms. They are emotional, highly intimate, uncomfortable at times, and realistic in spite of the soap opera-level dramatics and sometimes exaggeratedly cartoonish art style. This book brings up age-gap couples and "undesirable" jobs (an older divorced woman marrying a young handsome man who used to get paid for talking to older women), gender roles (a newlywed woman disappointed that her husband doesn't do his share of the cooking and housework), physical disabilities, poverty, possible child abuse, gender equality in the workplace, bullying, and mostly pointedly, the relationship between a mother and her daughter.
It's not the first manga I've read, but it's the first one I've read in probably 10+ years, and the first in "one-shot" style. It's also by far the most jarring, bold and layered and by far the least afraid to approach difficult issues. I didn't realize until I read this that I was under the misconception that western-based graphic novels and comic books could be deep/intellectual/philosophical/academic but asian-style graphic novels were made purely for entertainment or art. This is even more evident when I admit that I chose this book in particular because the cover displays "Eisner Award-nominated creator" under the author's name - something that surprised me coming from a Japanese mangaka. It's a valuable lesson, and I'm glad I learned it now. If I could go back to my super tough 4th year of university Graphic Novels class, I would have asked for less [b:Logicomix: An Epic Search for Truth|6493321|Logicomix An Epic Search for Truth|Apostolos Doxiadis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1312031956l/6493321._SX50_.jpg|6684749] and [b:Palestine|769712|Palestine|Joe Sacco|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1569917057l/769712._SX50_.jpg|755771] and more works in translation from non-Western countries.
mara_miriam's review against another edition
3.0
There is so much sadness in this book, yet it's such a quick and fun read. The interconnected vignettes are an interesting portrayal of gender dynamics and changing relationships; I especially liked the inter-generational storyline. All the 'darling daughters' had a sense of deep melancholy about them; while this mood did not overwhelm the entire storyline, it was a constant presence, which felt genuine to the characters' experience of the world.
sandphin's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this. The art is beautiful, the stories are moving. There are funny and profound moments.
Content notes for mentions of domestic abuse and one dub-con sex situation.
Content notes for mentions of domestic abuse and one dub-con sex situation.
master's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
3.0
jamsreadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
All My Darling Daughters was a surprising slice of life manga with a touch of feminism. The manga showcases imperfect women, mothers, and daughters in a collection of short stories. The stories explore the lives of each women and the choices that they have before them as they enter adulthood.
Each chapter features a different woman, related in some way to the main character, Yukiko. The story starts with Yukiko and her mother Mari, a widow for many years that suddenly marries a second time, this time to a younger man and former host. It’s a bittersweet story that sets the tone for the rest of the stories.
“A mother is an imperfect woman.”
There are many topics that are covered throughout this manga like whether or not to get married, motherhood, the choice between work or being a homemaker. The second story was funny through troubling in that it immediately starts off with the sexual assault of a man. However, the message about a young woman being free to choose the kind of lover that she wants, even if her choices seem very poor, I felt was a good one.
The final chapter hit very close to home with my own experiences with my mother, a harsh woman that criticized my appearance while I was growing up. Yukiko’s grandmother reminded me of her with the way that she treated Yukiko’s mother, and how these experiences dictated how Mari later chose to raise her daughter. So much is conveyed in a small package which speaks to the strength of the author as a storyteller. A great collection overall with themes that are still very relevant to women in the modern-day.
✮ Read this review and more like it on my blog ✮
Each chapter features a different woman, related in some way to the main character, Yukiko. The story starts with Yukiko and her mother Mari, a widow for many years that suddenly marries a second time, this time to a younger man and former host. It’s a bittersweet story that sets the tone for the rest of the stories.
“A mother is an imperfect woman.”
There are many topics that are covered throughout this manga like whether or not to get married, motherhood, the choice between work or being a homemaker. The second story was funny through troubling in that it immediately starts off with the sexual assault of a man. However, the message about a young woman being free to choose the kind of lover that she wants, even if her choices seem very poor, I felt was a good one.
The final chapter hit very close to home with my own experiences with my mother, a harsh woman that criticized my appearance while I was growing up. Yukiko’s grandmother reminded me of her with the way that she treated Yukiko’s mother, and how these experiences dictated how Mari later chose to raise her daughter. So much is conveyed in a small package which speaks to the strength of the author as a storyteller. A great collection overall with themes that are still very relevant to women in the modern-day.
✮ Read this review and more like it on my blog ✮
poisoned_icecream's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't read many josei manga. Most of the time I read shoujo and shounen because they're so popular. It's a shame that josei is not a popular genre because the stories are beautiful, yet simple. I really liked the stories and artwork in this manga. My favorite story was part 2 of chapter 3. I am always dreaming of doing something and then I don't end up doing it, and like Yuko, I'm probably going to end up becoming a housewife despite my ambition. I also really enjoyed the story about the woman who doesn't want to get married so she joins a convent. Overall, I really liked this collection of stories. They all feel nostalgic in different ways.
meepelous's review against another edition
4.0
At first I wasn't too sure about this manga, I was really impressed by how the short little vignettes really built on each other. This might be technically a collection of short stories, but there's really no way to read them except from cover to cover. Each new scene giving us a more detailed idea of what being a woman in Japan has meant to Fumi Yoshinaga.
Because that is what this amazingly moving story is really all about. Exploring what it means to be a female to a level that is still uncommon. This was a real window for me (as a westerner) into the similarities and differences between our cultures.
That said, the stories were also very universal in nature as well. A lot of what these women are facing is the same thing they face on every other continent. I really enjoyed the way in which Yoshinaga takes a look "beyond the headlines" as it were. Opening her book with women acting in ways I initially thought were silly, but continuing to dig deeper to reveal the very real and heartfelt motivations that had lead these women there. Helping us to understand and appreciate what their lives have been like, rather then drawing snap judgements based off of the results.
Overall the art struck me as fairly standard for a manga, but that is by no means a bad thing. The artwork is very consistent from page to page and I never felt like it went too far into the over-the-top cartoonish realm of eyes the size of small moons! A down to earth story, there's a lot of talking heads, but the faces are very expressive and the page layouts were varied and interesting.
Because that is what this amazingly moving story is really all about. Exploring what it means to be a female to a level that is still uncommon. This was a real window for me (as a westerner) into the similarities and differences between our cultures.
That said, the stories were also very universal in nature as well. A lot of what these women are facing is the same thing they face on every other continent. I really enjoyed the way in which Yoshinaga takes a look "beyond the headlines" as it were. Opening her book with women acting in ways I initially thought were silly, but continuing to dig deeper to reveal the very real and heartfelt motivations that had lead these women there. Helping us to understand and appreciate what their lives have been like, rather then drawing snap judgements based off of the results.
Overall the art struck me as fairly standard for a manga, but that is by no means a bad thing. The artwork is very consistent from page to page and I never felt like it went too far into the over-the-top cartoonish realm of eyes the size of small moons! A down to earth story, there's a lot of talking heads, but the faces are very expressive and the page layouts were varied and interesting.
meeners's review
3.0
i really want to assign yoshinaga fumi in a class someday, but unfortunately time limitations make it hard to assign tons of manga volumes by a single author. found this while looking around for 短編漫画. i found the individual stories to be rather thin, but i think the last chapter (a wonderfully thoughtful sketch about three generations of women, moving precisely because of its restraint) could work quite well on its own.
(random note: have to admit that the title gives me cognitive dissonance every time i see it, because i can't help thinking of connie willis' chilling story of the same name.)
(random note: have to admit that the title gives me cognitive dissonance every time i see it, because i can't help thinking of connie willis' chilling story of the same name.)
thedreaminghare's review
5.0
This is a manga that is a short story collection, and it is stunning in every way. The writing and the illustration combine to create an absolutely beautiful selection of tales that showcase the lives of different women. The narratives are touching, and the simple elegant lines of the illustrations will have you re-reading this book often. All the stories are connected, but stand outs include a daughter’s disbelief when her mother marries a (much) younger man, and a woman who turns to faith rather than love.
This book is for anyone curious about manga, and those who enjoy slice of life novels and interconnected stories.
This book is for anyone curious about manga, and those who enjoy slice of life novels and interconnected stories.
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