Scan barcode
heylancie's review
3.0
This review features spoilers!!
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ R E V I E W
< P O S I T I V E S > :
○ I love that this book featured a world map and Japanese history, and a glossary (albeit, at the end, not at the start, which would've been more helpful!).
○ I liked that there was eventually a reason for Kensuke's initial hostility.
○ I also liked the 'lifestyle' elements - the appreciation/gratefulness for nature, and therefore patience.
○ I liked Michael's happy ending - it is a children's book after all!
< N E G A T I V E S > :
○ The phrasing and vocabulary was sometimes quite advanced and formal for a children's book, sometimes even I struggled to understand the meaning from context!
○ I find it deeply frustrating and disappointing that it seems very unlikely this is based off a true story. Then why name the main character after the author?! Andy why include a 'letter' which was 'received' by the author after the first publishing of this book, from Kensuke's son, and even specify he LAUGHS like his father?! I believed this book was based off a true story for about ten years, having read this in primary school in the early 2010s. I couldn't even fully confirm this isn't based off a true story, but I suppose solid evidence would be available on the author's Wikipedia if it had have been real. This point is detrimental to the book's rating.
< N E U T R A L > :
○ The references to being 'loopy' and 'mad' were also alarming, but more reasonable and acceptable for the time this was written in.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ D E T A I L S
○ WRITTEN ON: C250123
TRANSCRIBED ON: G110623
○ HOURS TAKEN TO READ: Less than 4 hours
RATING: ☆ ☆ ☆
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ R E V I E W
< P O S I T I V E S > :
○ I love that this book featured a world map and Japanese history, and a glossary (albeit, at the end, not at the start, which would've been more helpful!).
○ I liked that there was eventually a reason for Kensuke's initial hostility.
○ I also liked the 'lifestyle' elements - the appreciation/gratefulness for nature, and therefore patience.
○ I liked Michael's happy ending - it is a children's book after all!
< N E G A T I V E S > :
○ The phrasing and vocabulary was sometimes quite advanced and formal for a children's book, sometimes even I struggled to understand the meaning from context!
○ I find it deeply frustrating and disappointing that it seems very unlikely this is based off a true story. Then why name the main character after the author?! Andy why include a 'letter' which was 'received' by the author after the first publishing of this book, from Kensuke's son, and even specify he LAUGHS like his father?! I believed this book was based off a true story for about ten years, having read this in primary school in the early 2010s. I couldn't even fully confirm this isn't based off a true story, but I suppose solid evidence would be available on the author's Wikipedia if it had have been real. This point is detrimental to the book's rating.
< N E U T R A L > :
○ The references to being 'loopy' and 'mad' were also alarming, but more reasonable and acceptable for the time this was written in.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ D E T A I L S
○ WRITTEN ON: C250123
TRANSCRIBED ON: G110623
○ HOURS TAKEN TO READ: Less than 4 hours
RATING: ☆ ☆ ☆
chars_books's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
5.0
ireadlol010101's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
mxjoebest's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
gregoriomagno's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
becky_f79's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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? No
5.0
alex20119t's review
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lunabooks23's review
4.0
Very good story made me feel a bit sad at the end when kensuke couldn’t come with him and that he also died in the story
saradanese's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.5
joweston's review
5.0
Wonderful book. Read by son for school, but we also listened to the audiobook read by Derek Jacobi. I was close to tears at the end!
Every 9/10 year old should read this.
Every 9/10 year old should read this.