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soyboysimon's review against another edition
sad
tense
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? Yes
2.0
Didn't love this, I feel truly neutral about it. Its like i was reading only to get to the end of it. i didn't connect with any of the characters or their problems, the main characters troubles seemed self-inflicted, and I absolutely hate the way it talks about—or rather doesn't talk about—mental health.
The main character is dealing with a number of things,anxiety, depression, alcoholism, an eating disorder, recovery from rape , but they are presented as being normal parts of life that she has to conquer on her own, without help, before she can let herself be loved. Its sick and twisted to me, it wasn't good for me, I don't recommend it if you deal with any of these problems.
The main character is dealing with a number of things,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Rape, Vomit, Car accident, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
mariavdl's review against another edition
reflective
sad
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Rape, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Bullying
Minor: Pregnancy
srhdnshj's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
I DON‘T KNOW AHHH, I don’t know if I like or dislike the book. It definitely did cause strong (mixed) emotions and I do have the wish to discuss every sentence of this book with someone. But at the same time most of the book was just the main character existing (not even living, her main flaw). (You do have to like these kind of books.)
I personally read the book quite fast since in my opinion the German version is well written/translated. It had a nice flow.
I personally read the book quite fast since in my opinion the German version is well written/translated. It had a nice flow.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Misogyny and Vomit
alexandrabelze's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
my favorite kawakami novel by far! this one was so emotional and beautiful. i wanted nothing but the best for fuyuko the entire time and was absolutely devastated by the ending . i was not expecting to like this one as much as i did because of how i felt about kawakami’s other novels. i definitely will be recommending this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual content, Vomit, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death
Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Suicide, Car accident, and Pregnancy
blau_elmo's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
This book was my introduction to Mieko Kawakami's writing, and it was quite a compelling read.
The plot is heavily character driven, focusing on the inner turmoil/depression of the protagonist. Covering themes of loneliness, love, affection and women's role in society, as well as mental health, the events of the book are shaded in this pervasive darkness, one that clings onto you like smoke.
A bit slow at times, the book is short and the narrative tight such that it does not overstay its welcome. I will be looking to read more of her stuff in the future.
The plot is heavily character driven, focusing on the inner turmoil/depression of the protagonist. Covering themes of loneliness, love, affection and women's role in society, as well as mental health, the events of the book are shaded in this pervasive darkness, one that clings onto you like smoke.
A bit slow at times, the book is short and the narrative tight such that it does not overstay its welcome. I will be looking to read more of her stuff in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Mental illness
Minor: Vomit
carojust's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
This is a love story, a self-love story.
Our narrator is a proofreader who doesn't have friends. Even coworkers talk behind her back. She is alone with her work, and soon alone with alcohol.
Mieko Kawakami has given us a bitterly beautiful portrait of depression. This character watches life pass her by, even in the detachment she has with the stories she's proofreading. Her drinking drowns out the need to experience anything, to avoid showing up as herself. But there is a turning point that gives us hope. She is fascinated by light and color, "the color that we're seeing is whatever's left behind." She becomes infatuated with someone who gives her a sense of routine, and companionship.
You will love this if you're in the mood for something bittersweet, if you're in a solitary season of your life, if you're at the point where you're not sure what you're doing but want to contemplate and sit with the feeling.
Our narrator is a proofreader who doesn't have friends. Even coworkers talk behind her back. She is alone with her work, and soon alone with alcohol.
Mieko Kawakami has given us a bitterly beautiful portrait of depression. This character watches life pass her by, even in the detachment she has with the stories she's proofreading. Her drinking drowns out the need to experience anything, to avoid showing up as herself. But there is a turning point that gives us hope. She is fascinated by light and color, "the color that we're seeing is whatever's left behind." She becomes infatuated with someone who gives her a sense of routine, and companionship.
You will love this if you're in the mood for something bittersweet, if you're in a solitary season of your life, if you're at the point where you're not sure what you're doing but want to contemplate and sit with the feeling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Vomit, and Alcohol
biobeetle's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Mental illness and Toxic friendship
sleepyriv's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
nothing hits as close to my heart as japanese literature about loneliness. at only 20 i feel my life heading in the same direction as fuyuko’s. the melancholy quietness of her day to day, and finding comfort in someone n not knowing what to do with it. when mitsutsuka doesn’t show up on her birthday, i felt how painful that wld be, how hopeless the future wld feel knowing she’d be alone like that forever. maybe i shld make some more friends, but who’s to say it wld make any difference?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Vomit and Car accident
Minor: Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
dee_dee_dee's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.25
Once you get through the exposition the writing has a nice flow and seems very attentive but there are passages that are hard work to get through. Might be worth it though. Overall the plot seems rushed anyways.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Sexual assault
Moderate: Mental illness
julesjb's review
dark
reflective
sad
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? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Sexual assault