Reviews with content warning for Death - The Perfect World of Miwako Sumida

Slight glorification of suicide aside, this is a fantastic book. Characters are so compelling and rich, and I really felt like I was learning and growing them. I would recommend it to anyone

TW: rape, suicide, bullying

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november_is_reading1114's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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lyd41's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I thoroughly enjoyed. I was apprehensive at first about the whole story supposedly centering around finding the 'Why' to Miwako's suicide. Once I started reading, though, I was relieved. This was nothing like thirteen reasons why, no romanticization. (It didn't even focus that much on finding out why.) It was more like a character study, a psychological analyzation of how we deal with trauma, and the baggage that we all carry. The story was told in three separate parts, from each protagonist's POV. I enjoyed seeing three different perspectives of relation to Miwako. The characters are what sold me on this book, they're all very well written. The writing is beautiful: relflective prose, with 2/3 parts being in third pov. My critiques are that the three parts attempted to connect an overarching storyline, creating much suspense and build up, but it failed toward the end. The ending rushed and left me wanting more closure and explanation.

Even though I would have enjoyed a traditional book where the story was told from Miwako's point of view, I think I prefer how this author layed it out, as it created much more curiosity and suspense.

Notes to keep in mind when looking to read this book:
This book is set in Japan and includes all traditional aspects of Japanese etiquette and culture. It may be confusing for some who don't know much of the social culture.
This book is angsty. Very Angsty. Top tier angst. Very possibly triggering things. Check content warnings.

Content Warnings

sumstew's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring reflective fast-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

3.0

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tessdaisy's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-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

5.0

Beautifully written, with expertly crafted characters. Threw me right into Miwako Sumida’s life in late 80s Tokyo. I connected to Ryusei, Chie, Miwako and most importantly, Fumi in a way that felt like they were real.

The last few pages are written so beautifully, and it can be interpreted that it’s Fumi feeling completely at peace as being a woman, ending her battle with her gender identity and passing the curse to the real firstborn som, and also the end of Ryusei’s battle with grief, finally appreciating one last visit from Miwako before she goes onto another life

I also appreciated how it was a book about a suicide, but it wasn’t at all graphic or triggering. A new favourite of mine for sure.

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