Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book did A LOT in the pages it was given. Although I found it super interesting and the different time lines were fun to follow, I definitely think it could’ve been longer to flesh out some of the ideas it had. But I liked learning about all the different countries that the family visits, but I felt left short of historical context for some of these places because of the book’s length.
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I picked up this book 4 months ago in a bookstore by my university for 3 euros because I liked the title and the cover. Having acquired about 30 new fantasy books, I wanted to buy something else, even if I didn't know when I would read it. I decided to take it with me to read it at the beach. I am so glad I did so.
The book is so full of feelings. The characters have flaws. They are realistic. You are never sure who is going to survive. The deaths shock you. They move you. I was kept on my toes. I cried. I felt fear and sadness. I felt despair and hope. It is a marvelous book. So many wars and nations being described in only one book. All the pain, all the agony make you shiver. My only problem was that I would like some more explaining when cultural artifacts or habits were mentioned. Some events, places, words, traditions were mentioned as if it was common sense to know them. Well, it isn't.
I really wanted to write a better review than that, but I think you need to read the book to understand what I mean.
The book is so full of feelings. The characters have flaws. They are realistic. You are never sure who is going to survive. The deaths shock you. They move you. I was kept on my toes. I cried. I felt fear and sadness. I felt despair and hope. It is a marvelous book. So many wars and nations being described in only one book. All the pain, all the agony make you shiver. My only problem was that I would like some more explaining when cultural artifacts or habits were mentioned. Some events, places, words, traditions were mentioned as if it was common sense to know them. Well, it isn't.
I really wanted to write a better review than that, but I think you need to read the book to understand what I mean.
We follow Hiroko from the day the bomb falls on Nagasaki killing her fiancée to Delhi where she goes to find his sister a few years later after she recovers from radiation sickness. She meets someone new and marries him leading her to Pakistan where they live with their son she has late in life. Eventually she winds up in New York in time for 9/11.
Hiroko is the main or side character we follow most in this story but she is one we don't hear much from which is a bit odd. The title of the book is a bit misleading because her scars don't play into the story that much but the amount this woman lives through is astonishing and depressing at the same time.
Hiroko is the main or side character we follow most in this story but she is one we don't hear much from which is a bit odd. The title of the book is a bit misleading because her scars don't play into the story that much but the amount this woman lives through is astonishing and depressing at the same time.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Spoiler free!
Recommended? Yes
☁️
I was not entirely sure I would like this book after reading the summary, but once I started it the author's writing style immediately pulled me in. She managed to bring light and joy into the story without diminishing the tragedy of the events that took place. I also enjoyed seeing the characters grow over a longer period of time. I did become attached to the characters and was always curious about what choices they would make.
☁️
Favorite quote: "'The world won't get more or less terrible if we're indoors somewhere with a mug of hot chocolate,' Kim said. 'Though it's possible it will seem slightly less terrible if there are marshmallows in the hot chocolate.'"
Recommended? Yes
☁️
I was not entirely sure I would like this book after reading the summary, but once I started it the author's writing style immediately pulled me in. She managed to bring light and joy into the story without diminishing the tragedy of the events that took place. I also enjoyed seeing the characters grow over a longer period of time. I did become attached to the characters and was always curious about what choices they would make.
☁️
Favorite quote: "'The world won't get more or less terrible if we're indoors somewhere with a mug of hot chocolate,' Kim said. 'Though it's possible it will seem slightly less terrible if there are marshmallows in the hot chocolate.'"
الجزء الأخير كان مرتجل سريعاً على ما يبدو، وتم الاستسهال فيه جداً.. بس بشكل عام، كاملة شمسي لها عين لاقطة لتفاصيل لطيفة
I loved it, until the end! The story felt so unfinished and that was so disappointing :(