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lunacarmona's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jemmacrosland's review against another edition
3.0
I recently read Weasels in the Attic, a set of short stories, by Hiroko Oyamada and Granta have just published The Hole in English language thanks to the translation by David Boyd, so I got first dibs on a new library copy.
Similarly to WITA, I really enjoyed the writing style and this book did start off as a 5-star reading experience for me. I liked Asa and following her strange new circumstances. This was definitely a thought-provoker with the various personalities in the book. For me I just wanted a clearer ending with a bit of explanation for some of the odd occurrences, but I can appreciate what I took from this story.
What an odd little novella this was, I will keep an eye out for future works from this author.
⭐⭐⭐ 3/5
Similarly to WITA, I really enjoyed the writing style and this book did start off as a 5-star reading experience for me. I liked Asa and following her strange new circumstances. This was definitely a thought-provoker with the various personalities in the book. For me I just wanted a clearer ending with a bit of explanation for some of the odd occurrences, but I can appreciate what I took from this story.
What an odd little novella this was, I will keep an eye out for future works from this author.
⭐⭐⭐ 3/5
storysteph's review against another edition
4.0
So. This is one of those books where I can't really describe how I feel...? But it's good? Like, in her description of days bleeding into the next, knowing what day of the week it is only because of what responsibilities have to be met that day (trash pickup, grocery shopping) -- dude, that's what depression feels like. But also, can we talk about the scenes with Grandpa? Because those had me feeling like the video to Black Hole Sun. Creepy. And brother-in-law was like the Cheshire Cat, or maybe the Mad Hatter (porque no los dos?), and I'm still not entirely sure if he was a ghost or a hallucination or what. Other things I'm still wondering: was Grandpa's Wake Scene more Lovecraft or Lynch? Seriously, I could be watching this unfold in Innsmouth or Twin Peaks.
I was absolutely going to give this book a 5, but the end kinda brought me down. I was really hoping for something more...*gestures vaguely*? I mean, it doesn't have to be all Yellow Wallpaper-style ending, but I really want to believe there's more here than just "this is why you don't want to be a housewife" and I'm just not seeing it. I feel like things were just starting to get weird and then it was time for the moral at the end. Still, though, one of my favorites so far this year!
I was absolutely going to give this book a 5, but the end kinda brought me down. I was really hoping for something more...*gestures vaguely*? I mean, it doesn't have to be all Yellow Wallpaper-style ending, but I really want to believe there's more here than just "this is why you don't want to be a housewife" and I'm just not seeing it. I feel like things were just starting to get weird and then it was time for the moral at the end. Still, though, one of my favorites so far this year!
lopocozo's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
Oyamada is a vibe. I love how strange and magical The Hole is, its plot is very symbolic. It's wonderful how housewives all over the world experience ennui like this.
kidultreader's review against another edition
3.0
easy to read, hard to comprehend and make sense of because of the absurdity of the plot encapsulating feminist metaphors
maddie_starling's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
Confused af
shioreads's review against another edition
3.75
Hiroko Oyamada’s The Hole is a unique yet captivating novel that draws readers into a world where the ordinary and the surreal collide. Set in what seems like a typical city, the story explores the unsettling consequences of a mysterious hole that appears on the roadside, caused by an “unknown” creature. What unfolds is a narrative that intertwines existential musings with the oddities of daily life, creating a rich tapestry where the extraordinary blends with the mundane.
Oyamada’s writing style is both lyrical and minimalist, adding to the novel’s mysterious allure. The hole itself becomes a symbol of the unknown—a blank canvas reflecting the characters' inner anxieties and desires. Oyamada’s skillful mix of the surreal with the everyday mirrors how life often feels like a blend of the fantastic and the ordinary.
The characters are portrayed with a delicate balance of empathy and distance. Through them, Oyamada delves into themes of alienation, the search for meaning, and the struggle to connect in a world that often feels indifferent. Their interactions and dialogues are filled with subtle depth, revealing the complexities of human emotion and the underlying despair in daily life.
The Hole is more than just a novel—it’s an experience. It invites readers to reflect on their own lives, encouraging them to consider how seemingly insignificant things can hold profound meaning. Oyamada’s ability to seamlessly weave the surreal into the fabric of everyday existence makes this book a thought-provoking read, though it might not be for everyone. Those who appreciate a slow, contemplative narrative with a touch of the strange will find it utterly engrossing.
Oyamada’s writing style is both lyrical and minimalist, adding to the novel’s mysterious allure. The hole itself becomes a symbol of the unknown—a blank canvas reflecting the characters' inner anxieties and desires. Oyamada’s skillful mix of the surreal with the everyday mirrors how life often feels like a blend of the fantastic and the ordinary.
The characters are portrayed with a delicate balance of empathy and distance. Through them, Oyamada delves into themes of alienation, the search for meaning, and the struggle to connect in a world that often feels indifferent. Their interactions and dialogues are filled with subtle depth, revealing the complexities of human emotion and the underlying despair in daily life.
The Hole is more than just a novel—it’s an experience. It invites readers to reflect on their own lives, encouraging them to consider how seemingly insignificant things can hold profound meaning. Oyamada’s ability to seamlessly weave the surreal into the fabric of everyday existence makes this book a thought-provoking read, though it might not be for everyone. Those who appreciate a slow, contemplative narrative with a touch of the strange will find it utterly engrossing.
today_catsandbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
There are some beautiful poetic descriptions here, vividly told story of a summer in the Japanese countryside. Love the weirdness.