Reviews

Writing of Kawakami and the translation was a pleasure to read through — describing intense emotional scenes with subtlety needed to paint a clear picture.

I believe that the book was trying to convey the fact that we hold the power to try to change the trajectory of our lives, but it doesn’t always go according to plan.
Even when accounting the actions of people that interlink with your life, all you can do is to find a way to make your reality livable.

Regardless of a few loose ends,
this book really did suck me in and made my heart ache.

soots's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

hanniquinn's review

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fast-paced

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

1.0

Honestly confused at what I just read. The concept of a friendship blooming between two people who are being bullied and the direction this book went in did not match up in my head. The dialogue didn’t feel realistic for their ages. The masturbating parts were so out of nowhere and unnecessary? But most of all, the message this book was trying to send was completely a mystery to me. Momose’s strange philosophical talk being a key point. The book had a bully-apologist feeling in my opinion which I don’t think was the intended message.

ivanbrazas's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

marzipan_penguin's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

2.5

neptuneisblue's review against another edition

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4.0

Such a powerful and emotional book following two characters who are brutally bullied at school. This book explores with beautiful depth, the philosophy behind why those who are seen as weak become targets, and in turn how they respond. It is hard to read at times, as it has some graphic/ cruel scenes, but I think it’s worth it ultimately to read about Kojima and their story.

shaz66's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

4.0

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