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its_j's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
“…when it comes to emotions, feelings, moods, all those things, I can never figure out where mine end and other people’s begin.”
Maybe this was just what I needed. I might not be in my thirties yet, but I do know loneliness. This book has kept me company, I think that’s the best way to put it. Maybe a hand to help pull you out from drowning, more like it comes to sit with you bringing no judgment. Insightful conversations and storytelling that hits close to home, Kawakami is an insane writer. Positive.
I used to despise it when people say they have nothing interesting about them— thinking that nothing about the things that fill their days, their hobbies, their feelings is “nothing interesting.” I hated it because I used to be the same. This book hits close to home. I live in a bubble of my own making because that’s what was expected of me. That in living a good life, I needed to study well, get into college, find a job. Sure, that’s what it generally means. That’s the recipe, the path to said good life. I am boring. I am bored. Boring and bored. Bored and boring.
Gorgeous, gorgeous writing with a deeply relatable main character. It also offered insights through the conversations between characters and it unpacks some difficult truths. It’s realistic. It’s comforting.
Love this book, it was exactly what I needed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Rape, and Alcohol
hgbab's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
sweetbeetle's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
4.5
My first Mieko Kawakami! Did not know what to expect, but the book definitely exceeded my expectations! A minute after finishing it, I felt like I should re-read it.
Listened to it as an audiobook, and it felt like an 8 hour long slice-of-life podcast of streams of consciousness. I wanted it to go on even longer! Normally I can get bored when the plot does not move, but in this case I enjoyed the stagnant parts the most.
This book does not have an ordinarily structured storyline, even though it is told linearly. A lot of the events does not progress the plot in obvious way. I have seen reviews calling Fuyuko passive, but I disagree. The seemingly random events that unfold actually changes her a lot, and while her external reactions can be passive, she changes internally. I think Kawakami's real talent in this book is writing an introverted character changing in an immensely realistic way.
And changing is not necessarily growth, it is just changing.
This book did not end the way I expected, and for that I was glad. I understand why some people are disappointed, but I loved the book because the events felt like real life; things happen, some things mean a lot, some things don't go the way we thought they would, and sometimes the things stopping us from being happy are inside our minds, other times they are external.
A wishy-washy plot and a lack of linear character growth only works well if written by incredibly talented writers. I loved My Year of Rest and Relaxation for the same reason. I understand this type of book is not everyone's cup of tea, and can be downright frustrating, but I was so happy while listening to it.
I loved the theme of a woman exploring love, sexuality and the difference between fantasy and reality for the first time, written in such a subtle way.
I loved the indirect commentary on modern capitalism from a female, Japanese perspective (paired very well with Diary of a Void and all of Sayaka Murata's books).
I loved the female character's conversations, they could have been much longer! (Though she should have cut those God awful conversations with Mitsuzuka short, and just focused on Fuyuko's feelings instead.)
Just lots of love to this book, but yes, if you find yourself bored and irritated, just put it down. The joy should come from the stream of consciousness, Fuyuko's character, and accepting a lack of answers and clarity.
Listened to it as an audiobook, and it felt like an 8 hour long slice-of-life podcast of streams of consciousness. I wanted it to go on even longer! Normally I can get bored when the plot does not move, but in this case I enjoyed the stagnant parts the most.
This book does not have an ordinarily structured storyline, even though it is told linearly. A lot of the events does not progress the plot in obvious way. I have seen reviews calling Fuyuko passive, but I disagree. The seemingly random events that unfold actually changes her a lot, and while her external reactions can be passive, she changes internally. I think Kawakami's real talent in this book is writing an introverted character changing in an immensely realistic way.
And changing is not necessarily growth, it is just changing.
This book did not end the way I expected, and for that I was glad. I understand why some people are disappointed, but I loved the book because the events felt like real life; things happen, some things mean a lot, some things don't go the way we thought they would, and sometimes the things stopping us from being happy are inside our minds, other times they are external.
A wishy-washy plot and a lack of linear character growth only works well if written by incredibly talented writers. I loved My Year of Rest and Relaxation for the same reason. I understand this type of book is not everyone's cup of tea, and can be downright frustrating, but I was so happy while listening to it.
I loved the theme of a woman exploring love, sexuality and the difference between fantasy and reality for the first time, written in such a subtle way.
I loved the indirect commentary on modern capitalism from a female, Japanese perspective (paired very well with Diary of a Void and all of Sayaka Murata's books).
I loved the female character's conversations, they could have been much longer! (Though she should have cut those God awful conversations with Mitsuzuka short, and just focused on Fuyuko's feelings instead.)
Just lots of love to this book, but yes, if you find yourself bored and irritated, just put it down. The joy should come from the stream of consciousness, Fuyuko's character, and accepting a lack of answers and clarity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Alcoholism
pako's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I think i liked the book. I generally enjoy Kawakami's writing and had high expectations after reading Heaven.
The first 100 or so pages of the book did feel a bit empty and pointless, as Fuyuko is such a bland and uninteresting person. But seeing her truly come to terms with the way she had been living her life, or lack thereof, and changing it was satisfying to witness.
Also, Hijiri defender.
The first 100 or so pages of the book did feel a bit empty and pointless, as Fuyuko is such a bland and uninteresting person. But seeing her truly come to terms with the way she had been living her life, or lack thereof, and changing it was satisfying to witness.
Also, Hijiri defender.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Alcoholism
reinafair119's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
Minor: Rape
strawberriie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcohol
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Body shaming and Suicidal thoughts
annixl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
I think this could easily be a 5 star read for some people. I loved the writing, the main character was so easy to connect with and build in detail but for me the content just wasn’t my cup of tea because i was hoping for more plot while this book is i’d say 90% character focused. I don’t think I’m in the position to relate to the main character at all and i found the ending a little disappointing, not because it was poorly written or anything, just because i was expecting something different.
Overall i did enjoy reading this book, it was my first book of hers i read after randomly picking it up and I will definitely be looking into another book of hers in the future.
Overall i did enjoy reading this book, it was my first book of hers i read after randomly picking it up and I will definitely be looking into another book of hers in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Alcohol
romes's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
mangoraey's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I get what the author tried to do, but it just wasn’t executed very well.
There were nicely written passages from time to time but the book as a whole was a drag to read.
There were nicely written passages from time to time but the book as a whole was a drag to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Rape
lynitachupp's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death and Vomit