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fairytomie's review
- 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
4.25
Justice for these characters and the fact we don’t know what happened to Kojima is so heart-wrenching.
Graphic: Blood, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Bullying, Ableism, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Self harm
Minor: Death of parent, Vomit, and Death
issed's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, and Death
alexandrabelze's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Classism, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Death and Eating disorder
sashasghost's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
the writing style is brilliant, you feel like you're delving into the mind of a 14 year old, the writing is mature yet simultaneously doesn't feel like it's written by an adult. Kawakami perfectly captures the voice of the unnamed boy, you feel like you're experiencing his thoughts and feelings as your own.
the complexity of the friendship with Kojima is so beautifully written. each interaction has a weight to it, the socially awkward, inept fumbling of these teenagers to the reflective, intense moments of coming to terms with life.
the content is intense but never feels gratuitous. everything has it's place and fits in. the event in the penultimate chapter is terrifying. it doesn't feel exploitative. i've been affected by the issues that event bought up, but it's clear Kawakami deeply understands the gravity of it. it's pleasant as a survivor to see it respected. it's the first time i've been able to read about it.
the bullying is very intense, to the point where at times you're riddled with stomach churning anxiety.
the final chapter felt so light, filled with hope. i'd highly recommend the read to anyone, but check the trigger warnings as a lot of dark, traumatic stuff happens.
Graphic: Bullying and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual content
Minor: Death
kkryrak's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Torture, Medical trauma, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Death, Cursing, Violence, Toxic friendship, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
claudiashelf's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
❝ None of this has any meaning. Everyone just does what they want. They have these urges, so they try to satisfy them. Nothing’s good or bad. There was something they wanted to do, and they had the chance to do it. Same goes for you. ❞
Graphic: Self harm, Bullying, and Death
mainon_'s review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Death, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Self harm and Torture
Minor: Vomit and Sexual violence
o3ovin's review
- 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
4.5
This is an amazing quick read that manages the careful balance of asking questions about life, death, and morality while being told through the perspective of a child believably. I would highly recommend checking the trigger warnings before picking it up as it does get incredibly heavy at some points. I will definitely be reading more by Mieko Kawakami.
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death, Bullying, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Ableism, Cursing, and Medical content
Minor: Death of parent and Classism
cara_selene's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
"I wasn't crying because I was sad. I guess I was crying because we had nowhere else to go, no choice but to go on living in this world. Crying because we had no other world to choose, and crying at everything before us, everything around us."
Read for WIT Month (Women in Translation), Aug 2023
Graphic: Bullying and Violence
Moderate: Eating disorder and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death
eloisajfletcher's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Sexual assault, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail