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yuyu8's review
hopeful
inspiring
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
“The Forest of Wool and Steel” by Natsu Miyashita is a beautifully written novel with poetic prose and abundant reflective quotes. The story delves into an intriguing niche—the journey of a piano tuning apprentice. It begins with the protagonist’s first encounter with a piano and follows his progressive path toward mastery.
The novel opens our eyes to the depth and breadth that a seemingly niche topic can achieve when infused with the magic of words. It explores how one can hold their work dear and strive to give their best.
The portrayal of protagonists in Japanese stories finding their true calling or true love and dedicating their lives to it is intriguing and romantic. While it may not always align with reality, it captures our imagination. I wonder, though, if there’s ever a fleeting moment when they question whether they’ve chosen the correct path.
The novel also prompts reflection on materialism. In a world where everyone competes for the materialistic gains, do we choose a career based on financial gain or how much it enriches our lives?
The quote, “Playing the piano is not how I’ll make a living. It’s how I’ll make a life,” resonates deeply.
Anyone who loves the piano and admires the Japanese craftsman’s pursuit of perfection will find joy in this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
The novel opens our eyes to the depth and breadth that a seemingly niche topic can achieve when infused with the magic of words. It explores how one can hold their work dear and strive to give their best.
The portrayal of protagonists in Japanese stories finding their true calling or true love and dedicating their lives to it is intriguing and romantic. While it may not always align with reality, it captures our imagination. I wonder, though, if there’s ever a fleeting moment when they question whether they’ve chosen the correct path.
The novel also prompts reflection on materialism. In a world where everyone competes for the materialistic gains, do we choose a career based on financial gain or how much it enriches our lives?
The quote, “Playing the piano is not how I’ll make a living. It’s how I’ll make a life,” resonates deeply.
Anyone who loves the piano and admires the Japanese craftsman’s pursuit of perfection will find joy in this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
karinacheah17's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
gayathiri_rajendran's review
5.0
The Forest of Wool and Steel is about Tomura, a school student who is enthralled by the sound of a piano after it is played by a piano tuner. That single moment makes him decide that he wants to be a piano tuner for the rest of his life. It feels like life altering revelation for him. Tomura completes his schooling and enrolls for a piano tuning course. He then becomes an apprentice at a piano tuning firm in Hokkaido.
In the beginning, Tomura observes his more experienced colleagues and goes on client visits with Mr. Yanagi. He is plagued by doubts and wonders whether he'll be as good as his more experienced colleagues. Later, Tomura acquires his own clients and refines his techniques through careful observation and practice.
This is such a beautiful ode to pianos and it's tuners. I do not play any instruments and I have never played or even touched a piano in my life. Yet, this was such an interesting read. It's been a while since I read a book in which nothing major happens. It felt refreshing to read something like this after a long time without always expecting something to happen in every page. This felt like a slice of life kind of story.
We basically follow Tomura around and read about his everyday experiences, see him learn new things everyday by observing his colleagues and practicing it later. At no point did I feel that this book was dragging. Reading this book made me appreciate how knowledgeable the author is since there are a lot of technical terms and explanations regarding pianos. It did not feel like an information dump at any point and I thought that was really commendable. The imagery and sounds in the story are very breathtaking to read about and I really loved the small illustrations at the start of each chapter.
A uplifting novel which puts a smile on your face! Can't wait to see the movie adaptation now!
In the beginning, Tomura observes his more experienced colleagues and goes on client visits with Mr. Yanagi. He is plagued by doubts and wonders whether he'll be as good as his more experienced colleagues. Later, Tomura acquires his own clients and refines his techniques through careful observation and practice.
This is such a beautiful ode to pianos and it's tuners. I do not play any instruments and I have never played or even touched a piano in my life. Yet, this was such an interesting read. It's been a while since I read a book in which nothing major happens. It felt refreshing to read something like this after a long time without always expecting something to happen in every page. This felt like a slice of life kind of story.
We basically follow Tomura around and read about his everyday experiences, see him learn new things everyday by observing his colleagues and practicing it later. At no point did I feel that this book was dragging. Reading this book made me appreciate how knowledgeable the author is since there are a lot of technical terms and explanations regarding pianos. It did not feel like an information dump at any point and I thought that was really commendable. The imagery and sounds in the story are very breathtaking to read about and I really loved the small illustrations at the start of each chapter.
A uplifting novel which puts a smile on your face! Can't wait to see the movie adaptation now!
rowananne's review
2.0
Helaas deed dit boek me niks. Het was prima geschreven, maar 200 pagina's lang lezen over hoe een piano gestemd wordt, kon me gewoon niet blijven boeien. Daarnaast ontwikkelde het hoofdpersonage zich amper en vond ik de andere personages niet goed uitgewerkt. Jammer!
acwayland's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
3.5
bobsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
slow-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
4.25
zinilili's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
frolledenne's review
4.0
This was such a slow-paced, tranquil, and beautiful story!!! It is a story purely about the journey to becoming a piano tuner, and it was so very heart touching in many ways. Tomura’s interactions with the customers, reflections, and the descriptions of the forest were all so beautifully written. The only reason I gave this book 4 stars was because I found it a bit too slow at times, but that is definitely just a thing I have for books, since I tend to read more plot-driven stories.
All in all, I loved this book to pieces and it made me feel so warm and soothed.
All in all, I loved this book to pieces and it made me feel so warm and soothed.