Reviews

Himawari House by Harmony Becker

chan_bean's review against another edition

5.0

Oh I loved this :( I really liked how simple and realistic all of the character designs were while still being distinct enough that I could tell everyone apart. I'm also always gonna be a sucker for this kind of story. AND! This is just a me thing but, I loved the use of languages and accents here. I definitely took double the time necessary to read this book so I could practice reading Japanese and Korean all the way through.

lerkis_s's review

emotional funny hopeful relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

popiloey's review

lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

doodlewrite's review

funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

marissagoodell92's review

hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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? No

4.0

deifoley's review

emotional 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

5.0

jacksweetpea's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad 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

3.5

clambear's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad

4.0

It was hard to get to know the characters because they were never focused on for long enough. That said I appreciate the array of emotions that were covered in this book and the way that each character had their own backstory. 

indigo78180's review

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

Made me cry 🥹

dembury's review against another edition

5.0

A beautiful and thoughtful graphic novel from Harmony Becker, the artist behind George Takei's "They Called Us Enemy". The story focuses on three young women from different parts of Asia who end up staying at the same sharehouse in Japan as they study, struggle, laugh, and come to a deeper understanding of who they are and what they want from life.

Becker does a fantastic job of showcasing each girls journey individually all while tying them together into the bigger narrative. While they each are grappling with different feelings (like Nao feeling like she isn't fully Japanese or American, or Hyejung coming to terms with her break from familial expectations) they learn from each others rich backstories and cultural experience, weaving a multicultural story that is highly immersive and informative.

I also enjoyed the fact that not every single little thing was wrapped up tidily with a bow or gave the expected "happy" ending. That's not to say the ending is not sad, necessarily, it's just super realistic. Sometimes family struggles go on a while, or people have to leave places they love, or not everyone has a big, grand plan for what they want to do in life and are instead just taking life day by day. At times I forgot this was fiction because each character felt so deeply realized and full of emotion that I thought this must be autobiographical - but no, it's just a very honest and heartwarming read that I think many readers will enjoy.