Reviews

Il lago by Banana Yoshimoto

4ng3ldotcom's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

kaehess's review against another edition

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4.0

I really enjoyed this quick read. The story was pretty simple but not in a boring way and though it had some darker elements it wasn’t a downer. I liked the little glimpse into the main character’s life and how both she and the love interest grow together and the ending felt very hopeful.

autumndream's review against another edition

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5.0

Memorable Quote:

"The sky was incredibly far away, and beautiful enough to make a person wonder why our hearts are never so free." ~Chihiro

darwinter's review against another edition

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2.0

Not an easy read at all which is a bad look for such a short book...... Felt like I only came back to it out of boredom instead of actually wanting to read it. The characters are kinda interesting but the story is slow and the ending is so unsatisfying. I couldn't believe I was reading the last page when I tried to flip to the next page and it didn't exist. Pretty disappointing considering I loved "Kitchen".

phoenix2's review against another edition

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4.0

After reading "Kitchen" by Banana Yoshimoto, I started reading her short stories, but didn't find enything that could be compared to "Kitchen". However, "The Lake" is straight up that alley. Although, at first, I've found the main character childish and selfish, slowly her real character was revealed and she became more likable. Her boyfriend was a complicated character too and it was interesting to follow the main character's path to discover the reason's why he became who he was. Also, the story had a nice, reassuring message that people can heal other people and that none is perfect, on the contrary, we all have imperfections and we are broken one way or another. There were some odd moments in the story, like Chii and her brother, but the characters came in terms with it and somehow it didn't feel important to try to understand it any further.

So, overall, quick pace, lovely writing, realistic characters and a heartwarming, but tragic, story.

yuu3008's review against another edition

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4.0

Một câu chuyện rất đời thường mà dường như có thể tìm thấy nghe thấy được ở đâu đó len lỏi trong những con phố ở Nhật Bản, với một cô bé Chihiro là kết tinh của một chuyện tình đẹp giữa người mẹ là một mama xinh đẹp ở một quán rượu cùng với ông bố là một ông chủ nhỏ ở một thị trấn vùng ven nào đó, và với người yêu của cô, Nakajima, cũng với những vấn đề khúc mắc của riêng bản thân mình, rồi họ học cách để hiểu và tìm chỗ đứng của mình trong cuộc đời của đối phương, tất cả đều được tả rất thực, thực tới nỗi cái màu buồn nhuốm lên toàn bộ câu chuyện, chắc có lẽ không ít người như mình cảm nhận được sự đồng cảm trong vài tình huống, để rồi khi đóng truyện lại thì tiếng vọng của nỗi buồn ấy dường như vẫn âm vang trong không gian.

Câu chuyện khắc hoạ có nhiều tiếng vọng tương đồng với bản thân, văn rất hay, bìa đẹp, đánh giá cao luôn^^

kokechii's review against another edition

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2.0

I'm not sure what to write. I was frustrated with the writing style to be honest. Chihiro's many thoughts were fine at first, but then I felt them almost getting in the way of the so called plot and being repetitive, specially in the first half of the novel. Really didn't like that the summary basically spoils the reveal at the end and although it does that, in the novel it's just so vague, kind of and jumbled... I'm not sure if I didn't get this book or if it's just not written for a reader like me.

byp's review against another edition

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4.0

I absolutely love this story and these characters.

tonireadsbooks's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

chococristis's review against another edition

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4.0

El Lago ha sido una lectura extraña y maravillosa al mismo tiempo, con una historia de amor que se cuece a fuego lento y dos corazones rotos que tienen que ayudarse mutuamente, Banana Yoshimoto me ha atrapado con su mágica prosa y no dudaré en seguir leyendo sus novelas.