Reviews

The Nakano Thrift Shop by Hiromi Kawakami

eeien's review against another edition

funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

3.0

abbieinwonderland's review against another edition

lighthearted relaxing 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

2.5

Nothing much happens and most of the things that do happen don't have any bearing on the story. 

I feel as though I didn't fully understand the nuances - maybe some of the details would be funny or significant to someone who grew up in Japan or has lived there for a while. 

I landed squarely in the middle with 2.5 for this one. 

joisaddler's review against another edition

relaxing medium-paced

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

2.0

poovii's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

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

4.0

I loved living in Hitomi’s little life, never thought I would get so attached after 200 pages to a story that seems so simple but is so moving 

heavenlyrealms's review against another edition

4.0

4.5/5! ⭐️ Honestly, this book is kinda boring at the first chapter. I don’t feel like vibing or matching with it but as I keep reading, I finally found it. The meaning of this book. It’s hard for me to understand at first but then, I couldn’t stop reading and some parts of the book hits me.

The Nakano shop isn’t about a mere thrift shop. It’s all about a safe place for Mr. Nakano, Hitomi, Takeo, and Masayo. In the Nakano shop, we could learn about love from everyone. How to deal and fall in love with a silent-kinda-push-and-pull person like Takeo from Hitomi. How to understand about love and desires from Masayo. How to… keep everything from yourself and make people couldn’t read you like Takeo. And how to enjoying your life even though you’re old enough like Mr. Nakano. This shop is telling you about “loyalty” on your work and a person (even though you’ll get surprised over everything that happend in this book).

If you ever questioned yourself about love, about your own feelings towards someone then I bet you could relate to Hitomi! I really like the ending of this book. Even though the Nakano shop is closed, but the Nakano shop lives on forever.

rudba_'s review against another edition

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.5

gr33ntea's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

cashleykate's review against another edition

3.5

Hiromi Kawakami writes both poignant little love stories that take on interesting perspectives in life. While there's nothing particularly strange about the circumstances or the people in the novel, all of the characters leave an impression that causes you to hope for them. 

tangerinejellies's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

maiakunkel's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective slow-paced

3.0