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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
I did not understand the metaphor in this book. I think there must have been something lost in translation. Not much happened and perhaps I should ponder it more but honestly I don’t want to.
If nothing else it was an interesting read. I feel as though there was a lot of potential here that isn’t fully realized due to the length of the story.
First and foremost I took this to be an exploration of loneliness and societal isolation; a kind of commentary on patriarchy/capitalism through Asa’s experience. She starts off the story by being told she is moving and has to quit her job, and upon getting to her new house, is shown to be lost and aimless in this incredibly liminal neighborhood. She has no job, she cannot leave the neighborhood, her husband is always working, etc. She’s effectively placed into this alternate world where the only people she meets are these societal rejects for lack of a better term. All of these people also define her relationally, as “the bride”, removing some of her autonomy as a free agent and providing a foundation for the tie between isolation and patriarchy.
It’s very on the nose in it’s symbolism. The cicadas very clearly represent the theme of isolation and it’s oppressiveness. Whenever she talks to someone, the cicadas quiet down nearly instantly, and all moments alone are underpinned by an incessant droning of them; leaving the reader to feel the same kind of oppressive dread I imagine Asa feels. It’s also very clearly an analogue to Alice in Wonderland, with its holes and guides and Cheshire grandpas and whatnot.
I will say though that I feel like she had multiple white rabbits. Sera, her neighbor, is wearing white and is the first to greet her after getting out of the hole. She is what I believe to be the true white rabbit in that she wants to get Asa out of her situation, the hole, and leads her away from it. Her brother in law, who says outright that he is a white rabbit of some kind, leads her instead back to the hole and is seemingly a leader of sorts in this world, with the kids following what it is he dictates and their wanting to learn from him. I think he shows the second route for Asa, which is to stay there and become like him.
Instead, she chooses to get out of this isolation and claims she has found happiness in getting work, ending the novel by saying that she looks like her mother in law, Tomiko, at the end. I have a hard time dissecting what it is this specifically is trying to get across. All I can say is that it doesn’t feel much like a happy ending persay, but I don’t know if that then makes it a decidedly unhappy one.
First and foremost I took this to be an exploration of loneliness and societal isolation; a kind of commentary on patriarchy/capitalism through Asa’s experience. She starts off the story by being told she is moving and has to quit her job, and upon getting to her new house, is shown to be lost and aimless in this incredibly liminal neighborhood. She has no job, she cannot leave the neighborhood, her husband is always working, etc. She’s effectively placed into this alternate world where the only people she meets are these societal rejects for lack of a better term. All of these people also define her relationally, as “the bride”, removing some of her autonomy as a free agent and providing a foundation for the tie between isolation and patriarchy.
It’s very on the nose in it’s symbolism. The cicadas very clearly represent the theme of isolation and it’s oppressiveness. Whenever she talks to someone, the cicadas quiet down nearly instantly, and all moments alone are underpinned by an incessant droning of them; leaving the reader to feel the same kind of oppressive dread I imagine Asa feels. It’s also very clearly an analogue to Alice in Wonderland, with its holes and guides and Cheshire grandpas and whatnot.
I will say though that I feel like she had multiple white rabbits. Sera, her neighbor, is wearing white and is the first to greet her after getting out of the hole. She is what I believe to be the true white rabbit in that she wants to get Asa out of her situation, the hole, and leads her away from it. Her brother in law, who says outright that he is a white rabbit of some kind, leads her instead back to the hole and is seemingly a leader of sorts in this world, with the kids following what it is he dictates and their wanting to learn from him. I think he shows the second route for Asa, which is to stay there and become like him.
Instead, she chooses to get out of this isolation and claims she has found happiness in getting work, ending the novel by saying that she looks like her mother in law, Tomiko, at the end. I have a hard time dissecting what it is this specifically is trying to get across. All I can say is that it doesn’t feel much like a happy ending persay, but I don’t know if that then makes it a decidedly unhappy one.
A nice little novella that filled me with existential dread at my worthless little life. Novellas are so easy to recommend, if you're not buying it. I read this in one sitting from the library, so that's the best way to go.
mysterious
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
mysterious
fast-paced
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Like if Satoshi Kon and Miyazaki had a baby. A+ vibes for a summer read in the hot hot heat
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I liked the writing but i really didn’t understand what was going on.