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kappafrog's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This book was disappointing. It felt like an anime you'd find really deep as a tween, but as an adult it's heavy handed and not as profound as it thinks it is. The characters were flat, and everything they did or felt was over-explained. They felt more like stock characters than real people, and the dialogue was often unnatural.
The arguments about literature were surprisingly conservative, with a disdain for anything that wasn't a Western classic.The final labyrinth sequence seemed to imply that the final "boss" was the Bible. While it was interesting to see the Bible represented as a Japanese woman, it didn't make a lot of sense.
Gender was handled very awkwardly. We're told Sayo is smart, but this is never actually demonstrated, and she's shown to struggle understanding books, especially those that aren't romances. Even the translator seemed to notice this because she mentions making the cat's gender ambiguous because she didn't think the book needed another male hero.
The best parts were the surreal details of the labyrinth sequences, and the carriage conversation between Rintaro and Tiger. I really liked the scene where you learn he represents the souls of books that Rintaro has loved. The way books moved in the labyrinths and the use of space in the transitional sequences were cool. Overall though, this book felt surprisingly shallow and mediocre.
The arguments about literature were surprisingly conservative, with a disdain for anything that wasn't a Western classic.
Gender was handled very awkwardly. We're told Sayo is smart, but this is never actually demonstrated, and she's shown to struggle understanding books, especially those that aren't romances. Even the translator seemed to notice this because she mentions making the cat's gender ambiguous because she didn't think the book needed another male hero.
The best parts were the surreal details of the labyrinth sequences, and
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Misogyny, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Fatphobia and Kidnapping
novella42's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think this book was not for me. I nearly stopped reading when he brought out the damsel in distress trope, especially considering Sayo was the most interesting character but it was a short enough book I was able to finish it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Kidnapping, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Mental illness, Ableism, Fatphobia, and Abandonment
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Misogyny
aleilvandrea's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Death
Moderate: Body shaming, Gaslighting, Car accident, and Fatphobia
yasaman's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Kidnapping
dreamerfreak's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Kidnapping
lidia7's review against another edition
hopeful
fast-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
Wholesome, very much a children's/ya fantasy book vibe. A bit oversimplified, tropey characters but still a cute story. Also kinda pretentious, the idea that older books are must reads or superior and that books that sell aren't valuable... All in all, a cozy, light read that celebrates mundanity and the power of books and human connection. :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Death
Minor: Kidnapping
katarina_sarmo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
I was definitely not expecting to give this simple 200 page novel such a high rating but I feel it is well deserved.
This book should be essential-reading for any book-lover.
It embodies autumn - warm sweaters, crackling fire, falling leaves - and brought me so much comfort that I found myself in tears.
I cannot recommend this book enough; I know I’ll be rereading it many times.
This book should be essential-reading for any book-lover.
It embodies autumn - warm sweaters, crackling fire, falling leaves - and brought me so much comfort that I found myself in tears.
I cannot recommend this book enough; I know I’ll be rereading it many times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Minor: Kidnapping
the_reading_wren's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book feels like a children’s book in the way things are over-explained (possibly the translation), and it seems like it was written simply for the author to get a message across. But the points made were interesting, particularly the discussions around the publishing industry and social status attached to reading. I’m glad I stuck with the book because it grew on me as the mystery developed and the background to the magic revealed near the end made me reflect on the story in a more heartfelt way.
“Reading a book is a lot like climbing a mountain.”
The overall messages I took away from this book were the one stated clearly - the power of books is to help us feel empathy and teach us to turn that into compassion. And not to resign myself to “it’s just how the world works” but to act true to myself.
“Reading a book is a lot like climbing a mountain.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Fatphobia and Ableism
astropova's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Kidnapping and Death of parent
The fatphobia is gratuitous and unchallenged. It takes the form of two offhand comments just before and duringatamano's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Kidnapping