Scan barcode
luca4417's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
_betelgeuse_l's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
muniemoe's review
4.0
The feelings is not so settled in. Even after knowingthis is the unfinished work of Yasunari Kawabata. The story is quite dragginh especially on Ineko's father part.
But, skipping it make us wonder why Ineko suffering from somagnosia. If only the story can be finish, then we will know what happen between Kuno and Ineko's mother. As I am predicting the plot twist that might change the relationship between Ineko, Kuno and Ineko's mother.
But, skipping it make us wonder why Ineko suffering from somagnosia. If only the story can be finish, then we will know what happen between Kuno and Ineko's mother. As I am predicting the plot twist that might change the relationship between Ineko, Kuno and Ineko's mother.
slink's review
reflective
sad
medium-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
2.75
sfletcher26's review against another edition
2.0
A beautifully written but unsatisfying and rambling book. I really wanted to like it but sadly remain a little confused and disappointed by it.
khairun_atika's review
3.0
"My heart feels more settled when I sit, like it might make its way to Ineko. Priests sit like this, after all. When they want to focus their hearts, fill them with prayer." - Dandelions by Yasunari Kawabata.
Consider yourself warned when I say that while this is a divine piece of prose, this book was never finished. Kawabata died by his own hand before completing his work, 4 years after becoming the first Japanese to win the Nobel Prize in Literature back in 1968. These were indeed his last words to the world.
Dandelions tells the story of Ineko, who suffers from a rare disease called somagnosia, or body blindness. She can no longer see her fiance, Kuno, and her mother had her placed in a psychiatric clinic to be cured. Most of the book revolve around the ruminations and conversations between Kuno and Ineko's mother (referred to simply as Mother) once they had begrudgingly left her behind at Ikuta. Why could she not see him? What would happen after she marries him? Will she harm him?
Somagnosia is a fictional disease, and Kawabata uses this metaphor to evoke a debate - is this condition a mental illness or an expression of love? Could Ineko's desire and love make her so immersed in her feelings that she blinds herself to what is right in front of her?
While Ineko is barely in the book, Mother and Kuno both discuss heftily about her condition, her experiences, her behaviour and her past. It is something traumatic in her past that affects Ineko's psyche, that makes her seemingly blind to the triggers of the overwhelming loss she faced - which could explain the reason she started to lose the ability of her beloved fiance.
Poignant yet subdued, this is a fine piece of literature that evokes a certain listlessness yet heartbreaking clarity in the reader. This is what I believe is the mark of a gifted writer - to evoke strong emotions in a reader. While it may be unfinished, it is cathartic to ponder on the discussions between Mother and Kuno - to know and understand the difference between the love of a mother and that of a lover.
Consider yourself warned when I say that while this is a divine piece of prose, this book was never finished. Kawabata died by his own hand before completing his work, 4 years after becoming the first Japanese to win the Nobel Prize in Literature back in 1968. These were indeed his last words to the world.
Dandelions tells the story of Ineko, who suffers from a rare disease called somagnosia, or body blindness. She can no longer see her fiance, Kuno, and her mother had her placed in a psychiatric clinic to be cured. Most of the book revolve around the ruminations and conversations between Kuno and Ineko's mother (referred to simply as Mother) once they had begrudgingly left her behind at Ikuta. Why could she not see him? What would happen after she marries him? Will she harm him?
Somagnosia is a fictional disease, and Kawabata uses this metaphor to evoke a debate - is this condition a mental illness or an expression of love? Could Ineko's desire and love make her so immersed in her feelings that she blinds herself to what is right in front of her?
While Ineko is barely in the book, Mother and Kuno both discuss heftily about her condition, her experiences, her behaviour and her past. It is something traumatic in her past that affects Ineko's psyche, that makes her seemingly blind to the triggers of the overwhelming loss she faced - which could explain the reason she started to lose the ability of her beloved fiance.
Poignant yet subdued, this is a fine piece of literature that evokes a certain listlessness yet heartbreaking clarity in the reader. This is what I believe is the mark of a gifted writer - to evoke strong emotions in a reader. While it may be unfinished, it is cathartic to ponder on the discussions between Mother and Kuno - to know and understand the difference between the love of a mother and that of a lover.
paeandbooks's review
4.0
There’s something hauntingly beautiful about this book, and after some quick internet search, I found out this is the last book Kawabata-san wrote before he committed suicide.
That explains the Goodbye by Osamu Dazai’s vibe.
In Dandelion, Kizaki Ineko is suffering with asomagnosia after witnessing her dad’s death; the sufferer losing sight of things right in front of them. The book starts with Ineko checking in the asylum. The asylum is located at a beautiful town, described as “spring time”. The madhouse is described as the bane of existence at the place, for having such chaos in the calm place. Ineko’s mum and Kuno, Ineko’s lover checked her in, hoping her conditions would be improved.
The storyline went few seasons back, building up the times Ineko’s relationship with Kuno, and Ineko’s mom recovering herself and her daughter post-death of her dad. How her illness effecting her relationship with Kuno- i mean, not being able to see your partner during intimate activities does kill the vibe.
Kawabata writing are melodramatic and prose-like; and it feels like reading journals into final moments before descending into madness.
“As they walked down the path on the riverbank after leaving their lunatic in the clinic on the hill, they would hear behind them the long, low gonging of the temple bell. It was as if the one they had left behind were calling to them, saying goodbye. As if the bell were being struck to mark their parting. Forlorn but not unsettled, its ringing passed over the town and headed out to sea.”
That explains the Goodbye by Osamu Dazai’s vibe.
In Dandelion, Kizaki Ineko is suffering with asomagnosia after witnessing her dad’s death; the sufferer losing sight of things right in front of them. The book starts with Ineko checking in the asylum. The asylum is located at a beautiful town, described as “spring time”. The madhouse is described as the bane of existence at the place, for having such chaos in the calm place. Ineko’s mum and Kuno, Ineko’s lover checked her in, hoping her conditions would be improved.
The storyline went few seasons back, building up the times Ineko’s relationship with Kuno, and Ineko’s mom recovering herself and her daughter post-death of her dad. How her illness effecting her relationship with Kuno- i mean, not being able to see your partner during intimate activities does kill the vibe.
Kawabata writing are melodramatic and prose-like; and it feels like reading journals into final moments before descending into madness.
“As they walked down the path on the riverbank after leaving their lunatic in the clinic on the hill, they would hear behind them the long, low gonging of the temple bell. It was as if the one they had left behind were calling to them, saying goodbye. As if the bell were being struck to mark their parting. Forlorn but not unsettled, its ringing passed over the town and headed out to sea.”
caitlin_26's review
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0