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minary's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
suzablam's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Blood
nkaori's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Self harm and Suicidal thoughts
mixingrealitywithfiction's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a contemporary translated fiction where we meet a couple of 14 year old teens who are targets for their fellow classmates to torment on the daily.
Told through the perspective of 14 year old 'Eyes', comes his story. We don't learn his real name, just his target name, given to him by class bullies. The only other person to understand what he's going through is Kojima, his female classmate. I feel like we need more but from Kojima's side, so we can really understand her perspective and what essentially happens with her character as I felt that was left on a bit of a cliffhanger.
This is a hard-hitting read for the most part, so if bullying and mentions of suicidal thoughts trigger you, it's best to stay clear of this book or go into it with caution.
I wasn't sure I could carry on reading after the first few chapters as it reads very graphically. I decided to take it slow and could only manage a few pages to 1 chapter a day. This is one book I certainly won't be revisiting. I need to lie down after this. 😩
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
kirstym25's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Bullying and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Violence
rawan_farrouh02'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
carojust's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.5
Our narrator is a young boy who has a lazy eye, the victim of intense bullying and physical violence from the popular students. His fellow student Kojima reaches out to him one day through a letter, and she is revealed to be a similar victim of bullying, and is described to be unkempt and unwashed. Their friendship grows through sweet and simple letters, and soon conversations outside of school. In contrast, we experience their helplessness, as they are shells of themselves at school, bracing for the beatings each day.
There is a conversation with one of the bullies, who proves to be a complete nihilist. He symbolizes the cold, emotionless, male antagonist who's all too familiar in our lives. It's every man for himself. Empathy is weakness. Kill or be killed.
I can't praise enough Mieko's artistry, and her way of pulling us through emotions, and the confusion her characters feel. She is THE master of female characters, as always. I especially loved Kojima and her strength, her frailty, her intelligence, her heart. I wanted to save her, though she was saving herself.
You'll appreciate this book if you like dark, intricate writing and characters, coming-of-age stories, and have been in an isolated period of your life.
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
mimi_jaja's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Self harm, and Sexual harassment
hooliagoolia197's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Minor: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
elyken's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Bullying and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Sexual harassment