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3.34 AVERAGE
3.34 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Kawakami's books are hard to review because in essence very little happens. There is a premise, there are characters and the characters interact, but that's largely it. In a way though that's what I like about her writing. her lack of narrative allows us to see what it is to be a 20 something in Japan today.
Having said this, for me, Nakano wasn't as good as Strange Weather in Tokyo.
Having said this, for me, Nakano wasn't as good as Strange Weather in Tokyo.
This was a beautiful and a quirky read. I absolutely enjoyed every minute of reading it ♥️
🍭
Hitomi, the inexperienced salesgirl, falls for the quiet and usually reserved Takeo. Both are awkward personalities dealing with adulting. The owner, Mr Nakano is an odd duck, very random but very adorable nevertheless. I also loved Mr Nakano's sister, the strong, independent Masayo, whose love life is very complicated unlike her beautiful creations.
The writing is poetic and so is the translation. The overall vibe of the book is very charming.
🍭
This book may seem slow paced for some people, but I gobbled it up like a delicious parantha with makkhan. It was nothing like I ever read before. Hitomi's feelings towards the charming Takeo, the uncertainty of her feelings, whether it's love or not. I love reading about mundane lives, thanks to a certain Mr Murakami.
Another thing I love about Japanese literature is how a sense of reality is constantly present. Kawakami managed to bring depths to the characters. She is so subtle in her writing. There was nothing forced about the plot or the characters. I didn't expect to love it this much when I started reading the book, it was almost impossible to put it down.
🍭
The chapters were named very cleverly with each chapter name relating to the thrift shop.
However, I am not sure if I'll recommend this book to you or not, it'd quite an oddball of a story.If you're someone who loves gentle and quiet reads then this book is for you.
I am so glad I discovered Kawakami. Definitely reading other works by her. Already finished reading Strange weather in Tokyo. I read this book with soft songs playing in the background. I have a strange attachment towards Japanese, and I gobble up anything which is translated from that language.
4.5 ⭐
🍭
Hitomi, the inexperienced salesgirl, falls for the quiet and usually reserved Takeo. Both are awkward personalities dealing with adulting. The owner, Mr Nakano is an odd duck, very random but very adorable nevertheless. I also loved Mr Nakano's sister, the strong, independent Masayo, whose love life is very complicated unlike her beautiful creations.
The writing is poetic and so is the translation. The overall vibe of the book is very charming.
🍭
This book may seem slow paced for some people, but I gobbled it up like a delicious parantha with makkhan. It was nothing like I ever read before. Hitomi's feelings towards the charming Takeo, the uncertainty of her feelings, whether it's love or not. I love reading about mundane lives, thanks to a certain Mr Murakami.
Another thing I love about Japanese literature is how a sense of reality is constantly present. Kawakami managed to bring depths to the characters. She is so subtle in her writing. There was nothing forced about the plot or the characters. I didn't expect to love it this much when I started reading the book, it was almost impossible to put it down.
🍭
The chapters were named very cleverly with each chapter name relating to the thrift shop.
However, I am not sure if I'll recommend this book to you or not, it'd quite an oddball of a story.If you're someone who loves gentle and quiet reads then this book is for you.
I am so glad I discovered Kawakami. Definitely reading other works by her. Already finished reading Strange weather in Tokyo. I read this book with soft songs playing in the background. I have a strange attachment towards Japanese, and I gobble up anything which is translated from that language.
4.5 ⭐
I bet rarely bail on books but this was not for me. It sounded so charming, and I really wanted to like it but I just couldn't. It felt so random and disconnected, without any discernible plot, and I couldn't relate to or care much about any of the characters. They felt distant, one dimensional, inscrutable. I liked the setting OK.
I also found it distracting that conversations would shift randomly between using quotation marks and being in-line text within the same conversation. I wasn't sure if that was a specific choice by the author or a common style in Japanese books. Basically I just really didn't get this book.
I also found it distracting that conversations would shift randomly between using quotation marks and being in-line text within the same conversation. I wasn't sure if that was a specific choice by the author or a common style in Japanese books. Basically I just really didn't get this book.
slow-paced
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A goddamn delight.
emotional
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated