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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-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
Interesting book, icky aftertaste. Main character is like the poster (man)child of terrible exes
it doesn't get happy.
i didn't necessarily cheer for fukazawa, but i didn't hate him either. i sort of hoped there was an arc of optimism to be found - but no, we're just going to dread our potential and dwell in what we lack the entire time, about every facet of our lives. the artwork is absolutely beautiful, but GOSH this leaves me in the dumps.
i didn't necessarily cheer for fukazawa, but i didn't hate him either. i sort of hoped there was an arc of optimism to be found - but no, we're just going to dread our potential and dwell in what we lack the entire time, about every facet of our lives. the artwork is absolutely beautiful, but GOSH this leaves me in the dumps.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There's a specific scene near the end of this story that could be read so many different ways that I love picking through.
The author character is signing copies of his latest manga, a shallower and more easily digestible story compared to his previous deep, intellectual work. A fan who has been sending praise over the years shows up to get her copy signed and bursts into tears. The author's older work was a lifeline to her, and she has attached to his new series as well. The author is overcome with emotion to receive such personal recognition, but with tears in his own eyes he says she doesn't understand anything.
Is that a fact?
From his perspective, she seemed like a "true believer" fan who loved his work for the deep and insightful meanings it imparted, and her enjoyment of the new series is proof that she's a dumb-dumb fangirl who'd like anything he crapped out. What if that's not the case? What if she recognizes the difference in quality between the two series but also the talent required of both? What if she's invested in her favorite author's success regardless of swings in quality because that earlier series made such an impression? What if she feels overwhelmed in the moment and sputtering words she's always wanted to say and isn't in an ideal state for offering nuanced critique of his entire catalog?
Does Asano expect the reader to show sympathy to the fan, or to side with the author and write her off as a ditz? Because siding with the author is ultimately the shallow interpretation, while questioning the interaction is the mature route. And in a story like this, with its constant examination of an artist's purpose and what gives them value (sales, reputation, productivity, fulfillment), this dramatic moment feels like a test for the characters involved, the reader, AND Asano.
That's a pretty cool level of thoughtfulness.
The author character is signing copies of his latest manga, a shallower and more easily digestible story compared to his previous deep, intellectual work. A fan who has been sending praise over the years shows up to get her copy signed and bursts into tears. The author's older work was a lifeline to her, and she has attached to his new series as well. The author is overcome with emotion to receive such personal recognition, but with tears in his own eyes he says she doesn't understand anything.
Is that a fact?
From his perspective, she seemed like a "true believer" fan who loved his work for the deep and insightful meanings it imparted, and her enjoyment of the new series is proof that she's a dumb-dumb fangirl who'd like anything he crapped out. What if that's not the case? What if she recognizes the difference in quality between the two series but also the talent required of both? What if she's invested in her favorite author's success regardless of swings in quality because that earlier series made such an impression? What if she feels overwhelmed in the moment and sputtering words she's always wanted to say and isn't in an ideal state for offering nuanced critique of his entire catalog?
Does Asano expect the reader to show sympathy to the fan, or to side with the author and write her off as a ditz? Because siding with the author is ultimately the shallow interpretation, while questioning the interaction is the mature route. And in a story like this, with its constant examination of an artist's purpose and what gives them value (sales, reputation, productivity, fulfillment), this dramatic moment feels like a test for the characters involved, the reader, AND Asano.
That's a pretty cool level of thoughtfulness.
"No sé qué tendría de malo intentar vivir cada uno de la forma que le apetezca. Yo estoy en una especie de cárcel. En principio todos somos libres, pero acabamos atándonos a nosotros mismos. Pero, al estar atada, yo soy yo. Y tú eres tú, ¿no crees?"
Otra obra maestra del mejor mangaka contemporáneo. En esta ocasión, explorando la integridad artística y personal en un mundo que nos pide todo lo contrario.
Otra obra maestra del mejor mangaka contemporáneo. En esta ocasión, explorando la integridad artística y personal en un mundo que nos pide todo lo contrario.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital copy of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
A difficult read, solely based on the main character's unlikeability. The main character, Kaoru Fukuzawa, is a manga artist who's main series has come to an end. He only seems interested high sales, though, and his aren't doing so great. As the book goes on he only grows more bitter and jaded, and ends on a negative note.
I enjoyed the read for the fact that it is well illustrated and gives you a lot to contemplate. It did very much sour my mood and I'll definitely be reading something a little lighter next.
A difficult read, solely based on the main character's unlikeability. The main character, Kaoru Fukuzawa, is a manga artist who's main series has come to an end. He only seems interested high sales, though, and his aren't doing so great. As the book goes on he only grows more bitter and jaded, and ends on a negative note.
I enjoyed the read for the fact that it is well illustrated and gives you a lot to contemplate. It did very much sour my mood and I'll definitely be reading something a little lighter next.
The art and writing are perfectly fine. The story just wasn’t good. Worth noting this is an adult manga, not suitable for young children.
I feel like this starts out as two different stories. One appears to be the story of how manga artists start out loving what they do and then quickly learn that it’s an industry like any other. What they want to do, doesn’t really matter, they’ll do what they’re told. And they end up hating their industry. Surely that kind of disillusionment applies to many folks not just those working in manga, So that aspect is relatable. The second story is the story of a man barreling in on being middle-aged. His wife and he are never on the same page. He’s become miserable, relying on prostitutes to fulfill his need for attention. Some aspects of that could have also been relatable.
I was at a solid 3 for most of the book. They things turned violent in a way that made no sense. In the end it turns out this is really only the story of a man who is so miserable that success, marriage, friends, fans none of it is good enough for him.
Thing is in this case I don’t feel sorry for him at all. He raped someone who loved him just because he doesn’t know how to make himself happy. She wasn’t perfect, but she obviously didn’t deserve the abuse he gave her.. I just don’t see the point of this story. It sounds more interesting that it is. Thought I was going to get a story about a man frustrated with a stagnant life, instead I got poor me, some more poor me, and a touch more poor me with a sexual assault thrown in the mix.
I feel like this starts out as two different stories. One appears to be the story of how manga artists start out loving what they do and then quickly learn that it’s an industry like any other. What they want to do, doesn’t really matter, they’ll do what they’re told. And they end up hating their industry. Surely that kind of disillusionment applies to many folks not just those working in manga, So that aspect is relatable. The second story is the story of a man barreling in on being middle-aged. His wife and he are never on the same page. He’s become miserable, relying on prostitutes to fulfill his need for attention. Some aspects of that could have also been relatable.
I was at a solid 3 for most of the book. They things turned violent in a way that made no sense. In the end it turns out this is really only the story of a man who is so miserable that success, marriage, friends, fans none of it is good enough for him.
Thing is in this case I don’t feel sorry for him at all. He raped someone who loved him just because he doesn’t know how to make himself happy. She wasn’t perfect, but she obviously didn’t deserve the abuse he gave her.. I just don’t see the point of this story. It sounds more interesting that it is. Thought I was going to get a story about a man frustrated with a stagnant life, instead I got poor me, some more poor me, and a touch more poor me with a sexual assault thrown in the mix.
Huge cw for sexual assault in this one fyi
Out of the two manga's I've read recently about tortured male artists who drive their marriages into the ground and wondered how this all could have happened to them, this is definitely the darker pick and has a less likable protagonist. All of that is meant to be the point, and it's very well drawn and played out but I really think tortured male art is just not for me.
Out of the two manga's I've read recently about tortured male artists who drive their marriages into the ground and wondered how this all could have happened to them, this is definitely the darker pick and has a less likable protagonist. All of that is meant to be the point, and it's very well drawn and played out but I really think tortured male art is just not for me.
dark
tense
fast-paced