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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A captivating ghost story.
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Saw the film first so it was nice to see this story in a completely different cultural context, and I really appreciated the darker edges/implications of this story that left me thinking…
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.25 stars
🌕🌕🌕🌘
🌕🌕🌕🌘
🧠 My thoughts
This book took its time to unfold, with a strange, slow and steady pace that initially felt a bit offbeat, but eventually found its rhythm. It explored a rather heavy theme—how clinging too tightly to the past can hold us back from fully living in the present—but did so in a way that felt surprisingly light. The emotional depth was there, yet the writing style made it easier to digest. I found the main male character particularly relatable. There’s something universally human about his need to retreat into childhood when life becomes overwhelming—something I think many readers will recognize in themselves.
That said, the reading experience wasn’t without its flaws. The prose felt quite dry at times, which I suspect might be due to something getting lost in translation. The twist, while positioned as a major reveal, was rather predictable, and unfortunately, the ending didn’t resonate with me as much as I had hoped. It felt a bit underwhelming given the emotional groundwork laid earlier in the story.
👍 What I like
- The way it handled a heavy topic with a lighter narrative touch
- A thoughtful message about living in the present
- A main character who felt emotionally real and easy to connect with
👎 What I don’t like
- The slow pacing made it hard to stay engaged early on
- Writing style came off dry, possibly due to translation
- Predictable twist
- An ending that lacked emotional impact
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
A decently interesting premise and resolution though it made me realise I really don't enjoy Japanese writing very much. Still it was short enough to want to persist. I'm glad they adapted it into the film which I enjoyed a lot more.
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
A brilliant ghost story that delves into the intricacies of grief and loneliness, and the path one may take when faced with those challenges. Yamada's writing is enthralling and this book is an easy read.