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natalie_is_reading's review against another edition
5.0
First full book of 2024 and this was SO GOOD. Just like perfectly executed and beautifully written and so relevant and really exploring the hard questions of shame and self reflection and growth and patriotism/nationalism and age and thinking critically and admitting you’re wrong I couldn’t give it anything less than 5 stars.
kadbee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Misogyny
Moderate: War
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
madlnt's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
This is an interesting book about an artist of war propaganda from Japan in WWII - he is dealing with rectifying his past as a fairly well known artist with his past with the war, and his present as a man that the average person blames for the war and American occupation.
It’s slow and reflective, repetitive because of the narrators unreliable nature, but it’s for a reason. He presents his points of view as the utmost height of polite Japanese society, and cannot see how Japan is changing around him after the war.
It’s slow and reflective, repetitive because of the narrators unreliable nature, but it’s for a reason. He presents his points of view as the utmost height of polite Japanese society, and cannot see how Japan is changing around him after the war.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Misogyny
Moderate: War
Minor: Suicide
d_ckag's review against another edition
4.75
Ótimo livro! Adorei a leitura. Muito perto de botar 5 estrelas.
A temática é muito interessante, um artista que durante a segunda guerra pintava propagandas para o Japão Imperial e, após o fim do conflito, é obrigado a lidar com as consequências de suas ações e seu papel na guerra. Além disso, com a mudança do mundo e das gerações futuras, com a perda de tradições japonesas e a influência ocidental na cultura.
Apesar de apreciar a calma com que a história é contada, acho justo dizer que certos momentos podem ter sido monótonos demais.
A temática é muito interessante, um artista que durante a segunda guerra pintava propagandas para o Japão Imperial e, após o fim do conflito, é obrigado a lidar com as consequências de suas ações e seu papel na guerra. Além disso, com a mudança do mundo e das gerações futuras, com a perda de tradições japonesas e a influência ocidental na cultura.
Apesar de apreciar a calma com que a história é contada, acho justo dizer que certos momentos podem ter sido monótonos demais.
mittens_the_scamp's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bairdo's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
zeev's review against another edition
4.0
im a sucker for subtlety, unreliable narrators, and repeated visuals !!!!
blau_elmo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A masterpiece of unreliable narration. Ishiguro is such an expert at hiding nuances within his words, and it is only in retrospect after the entire picture is put into place that one realises the guilt, pride and flaws of our protagonist, Masuji Ono.
The self-doubt, the conflation of one's conviction with authority (contradicted by his inability to stop the police from harassing his protege), and his strong desire to get Noriko, his daughter, married, as a way to make up for her previously failed negotiations, which he assumes to be caused by his past as a propaganda artist for Imperial Japan, when in reality his influence is not so wide-reaching, shows his character. He is untrustworthy, proud and ridden with guilt, which drives him to prevaricate and try to make amends with old students and mentors, all of which now no longer wish to associate with him.
It is a book about inter-generational conflict, but more importantly, a muddled sense of self. It is complex, and leaves so much for the reader to ponder about. Great read.
The self-doubt, the conflation of one's conviction with authority (contradicted by his inability to stop the police from harassing his protege), and his strong desire to get Noriko, his daughter, married, as a way to make up for her previously failed negotiations, which he assumes to be caused by his past as a propaganda artist for Imperial Japan, when in reality his influence is not so wide-reaching, shows his character. He is untrustworthy, proud and ridden with guilt, which drives him to prevaricate and try to make amends with old students and mentors, all of which now no longer wish to associate with him.
It is a book about inter-generational conflict, but more importantly, a muddled sense of self. It is complex, and leaves so much for the reader to ponder about. Great read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War