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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
in mishima’s world, happiness is never attained by anyone. however, there is a sort of fulfillment and satisfaction in watching these tragic destinies play themselves out to an aesthetically beautiful completion.
truly a masterpiece ☆彡
truly a masterpiece ☆彡
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was a button too prose-y for my tastes at first but the ending was so beautiful changed my mind. I ended up liking it despite putting it off for months
adventurous
medium-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:
Complicated
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-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
The best thing about Spring Snow is the prose. It’s simply beautiful. The metaphors and similes were creative, the different points of view were all complex and unique to each character, and the conversations on philosophy were stimulating. Important themes on justice, the basis of reason, the transience of life, the delicacy of beauty, the meaning of elegance, etc. are examined through the lives and opinions of the large cast. While the novel takes a Buddhist bent towards answering many of the large questions it tackles, it does so with a nod to other opinions and a thorough examination of its own. (I may not agree on a religious level, but on an intellectual one, the logic was interesting to follow)
Beyond the themes they embody, the characters are simultaneously infuriating and endearing. Satoko and Kiyioaki are both slowly revealed to the reader in all of their strengths and weaknesses. They grow together and apart in a destructive but well-written journey.
While the ending struck me as dissatisfying, it was also tragically appropriate, and thematically consistent with the novel’s message about national loyalty and the impermanence of beautiful things like love.
(On a separate note, the Audible edition was masterfully narrated by Brian Nishii; his expressions for the characters flitted from the mock-bravado to nervous breathiness in perfect amounts, and he quickened or slowed his reading speed to match the tension of a scene. While I switched between the Kindle and audiobook formats, I found Nishii’s performance to be an immersive and preferable experience)
Beyond the themes they embody, the characters are simultaneously infuriating and endearing. Satoko and Kiyioaki are both slowly revealed to the reader in all of their strengths and weaknesses. They grow together and apart in a destructive but well-written journey.
While the ending struck me as dissatisfying, it was also tragically appropriate, and thematically consistent with the novel’s message about national loyalty and the impermanence of beautiful things like love.
(On a separate note, the Audible edition was masterfully narrated by Brian Nishii; his expressions for the characters flitted from the mock-bravado to nervous breathiness in perfect amounts, and he quickened or slowed his reading speed to match the tension of a scene. While I switched between the Kindle and audiobook formats, I found Nishii’s performance to be an immersive and preferable experience)
slow-paced
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I tried. But every time I pick up this book my mood worsens and I can't get through more than 10 pages. It's not only repetitive and incredibly slow but also disgustingly misogynistic. I truly don't care what happens to any of the characters since they're either dull or absolutely unlikeable (or both).
I'm way more interested in the author than the book.
I'm way more interested in the author than the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
I will hate Mishima for the beautifully written romantic, yet tragic ending of this novel.