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soupemu's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.25
The book flowed easily enough in terms of words but occasionally it found itself flowing a very confusing path.
I noticed a few times that I was reading the same thing again or that characters would change names and I am still unsure whether this was intended by the author or whether it was just my own lack of attention that led to this.
It has some great philosophical points , and some marvelous quotes. However. It is not a book to read if you are looking for any kind of plot and resolution. I found it helpful afterwards to read explanations of the book.
I noticed a few times that I was reading the same thing again or that characters would change names and I am still unsure whether this was intended by the author or whether it was just my own lack of attention that led to this.
It has some great philosophical points , and some marvelous quotes. However. It is not a book to read if you are looking for any kind of plot and resolution. I found it helpful afterwards to read explanations of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, and Medical content
qudsiya's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Self harm, Suicide, and Death of parent
xxonionxx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Gaslighting
gabsv'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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Suicide
Minor: Sexism
vampireph4ze's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
4.5
truly, what got me was the title of this book. after reading the final paragraph, i went back to the foreword lovingly written by Edwin McClellan and reread it. i had forgotten what he'd said about it, and it even spoils the ending a little bit, but not enough so that it ruins the experience of reading it. Kokoro - the heart of things. what a beautiful title for a book about beautiful things, even if on the surface they are ugly. this isn't a particularly happy or sad book, overall i've felt a sense of calm wash over me reading it, but it definitely made my heart ache towards the end.
it's simple, it's easy to read and well-paced but so fruitful when it comes to human nature. the two main characters, the unnamed protagonist and Sensei, both have incredible flaws but never really gave enough cause to dislike them. they seemed so real. their actions and behaviors, though admittedly coming from an unreliable narrator, seem justified and real - like something you could see yourself doing if you were put in their shoes. Sensei's letter really wraps the title up into the story, "the heart of things" is the happiness and beauty of the world but also the pain and loneliness.unfortunately, Sensei was not able to move past this (accompanied by what i take to he his immense guilt or maybe at the end of it all, a heavy heart) but the book does not leave me depressed. it is hopeful, it is a lesson. it makes me appreciate all that i have had and will have and have.
i'm also realizing that this is the second book of Natsume Soseki's i've read and both of them have ended in the protagonist dying. i cannot wait to see what comes next.
it's simple, it's easy to read and well-paced but so fruitful when it comes to human nature. the two main characters, the unnamed protagonist and Sensei, both have incredible flaws but never really gave enough cause to dislike them. they seemed so real. their actions and behaviors, though admittedly coming from an unreliable narrator, seem justified and real - like something you could see yourself doing if you were put in their shoes. Sensei's letter really wraps the title up into the story, "the heart of things" is the happiness and beauty of the world but also the pain and loneliness.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Blood
ertbert's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
spist opp av skyldfølelsen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
chinola's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism
travisppe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
The structure was very intriguing, especially in Part III from Sensei’s letter. Look, this book is dense and parts of it are a slog but it is beautifully written and thoughtful, even if the characters are not particularly relatable. Highly recommended for folks interested in Japanese literature and culture.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
puttingwingsonwords's review against another edition
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Moderate: Death, Sexism, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol
androgyny's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Minor: Alcoholism