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duskx's review against another edition
5.0
What
is
Happiness
?
That is the question that Nanoka Koyanagi, the protagonist of I Had the Same Dream by Yoru Sumino, tries to answer in this novel. She is given a school assignment to find out what happiness is. She meets a high school girl who self-harms at an abandoned building, a mysterious woman living in a nearby apartment, and an old woman living in the woods. Through their stories, Nanoka learns about the pain and suffering that they endure, and how they cope with it. She also reflects on her own life, and how she can find happiness in the future.
The novel is a touching and emotional journey that will make you cry, laugh, and think. It seems like a light-hearted read, but it is rather a deep one that tackles issues such as bullying, trauma, suicide, self-harm and death. The novel does not offer easy answers or solutions, but rather poses questions that challenge the reader to think for themselves. What is happiness? How do we achieve it? How do we cope with the pain and suffering in life? How do we connect with others and ourselves? It also reminds the reader that sometimes, happiness is not something that we can achieve alone, but something that we can get and share with others. That sometimes, we just need someone to stand by our side, support us, and reassure us that we are not lonely.
The novel is also beautifully written, with memorable characters and quotes. Nanoka is a smart, kind, and brave kid who grows throughout the story. She is not perfect, but she tries her best to understand and help others, even when they are not nice to her. She also has a witty and humorous way of expressing herself, such as when she often compares life to ordinary things like
“Life is like watermelon. You can swallow most of it, but there’s always some bits you can’t handle.”
The other characters are also well-developed and complex, each with their own backstory and personality. They are not stereotypes, but rather human beings who have their own dreams, fears, and regrets.
This novel resonated with me deeply, almost made me tear up twice, and stirred up feelings that I hid inside. It reminded me of memories that I suppressed, and challenged me with questions that pierced my heart. It is a novel that will inspire you to appreciate your life and the choices you have made, and to embrace the possibilities that lie ahead. It is a novel that touched my heart, but also provoked my mind. It is a novel that I suggest you to check out if you are curious about the quest for happiness.
lily_bluhen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Self harm
shuvraaa's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
tha25's review
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
clumsy_plop's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ebeubanks8's review against another edition
2.0
It was just very profound and I am not a profound person. I couldn’t tell what the point was until the very end
simplypheyie's review
5.0
"Happiness wasn't something bestowed upon you from without, it came from within. You chose it and created it with your own hands*
Got into this book without much expections as it was in a little girl's pov, but it did wonders for me. It left me with a smile on my face, a mystery i am trying to decipher , and a deeper understanding of happiness. I love koyanagi Nanoka. What a beautiful story. ❤️❤️❤️
Got into this book without much expections as it was in a little girl's pov, but it did wonders for me. It left me with a smile on my face, a mystery i am trying to decipher , and a deeper understanding of happiness. I love koyanagi Nanoka. What a beautiful story. ❤️❤️❤️
maybeonline's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm not really a fan of books, so this was the first novel I've fully read. Although I don't know much about books or novels this was a pretty fun one to read. I usually get bored of reading but this actually made me want to read. I'd say everyone should read it since it's pretty short too.