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angelamichelle's review against another edition
2.0
The dialogue especially is so stilted it’s almost laughable. The story does maintain a compelling aura of mystery.
karinlib's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars really. As another reviewer said, this book is reminiscent of Murakami, and although that reviewer had a problem with it, I didn't. I would read anything Murakami wrote.
Ren, a graduate student living in Tokyo receives news that his sister Keiko has been brutally murdered in the fictional Japanese town Akakawa. Ren goes to the town to collect her things, ends up staying in the town and taking over her position in a cram school.
Ren, a graduate student living in Tokyo receives news that his sister Keiko has been brutally murdered in the fictional Japanese town Akakawa. Ren goes to the town to collect her things, ends up staying in the town and taking over her position in a cram school.
lydiam1003's review against another edition
2.0
I had a tough time getting through this book. I struggled with the writing style and the characters didn't feel very "real" to me. Just wasn't my taste overall.
amkozy23's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was sucked into this book right away as I found the mystery aspect compelling and I liked Ren's character. I am giving this book 3 stars because nothing really happened. I wanted to keep reading but I did not learn much. I liked the way that Ren reconciled his feelings with his sister and her death but I also feel like it kind of just ended. I am not the biggest fan of books where nothing happens (i.e. Malibu Rising) but I felt the characters were interesting enough to keep me engaged.
holleearchibald's review against another edition
5.0
It was very well written but (could be culture shock) the relationship between a teacher and a student just weirded me out. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes YA novels even though I might not recommend it to anyone not in high school yet that are mature enough to know you shouldn't go after a teacher.
This is her first novel and I cannot wait to read more from her!
This is her first novel and I cannot wait to read more from her!
kanatakara's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I find it difficult to rate this book. The story itself is interesting and there's definitely something captivating about it because I kept reading. My problem is that it's told in an emotionless and detached way that it can be quite tiring after some time. It borders on boring, yet doesn't cross that line. An okay and easy read, I guess.
I find it difficult to rate this book. The story itself is interesting and there's definitely something captivating about it because I kept reading. My problem is that it's told in an emotionless and detached way that it can be quite tiring after some time. It borders on boring, yet doesn't cross that line. An okay and easy read, I guess.
paperwitch's review against another edition
4.0
❝Sadness alone can’t harm anyone. It’s what you do when you’re sad that can hurt you and those around you
Rainbirds was quite the journey, it was a poetic story of self discovery set in a small town, each character we meet is so well done and so important. The imagery is beautiful, the writing just pulls you in, the small added magical realism was interesting. I am pretty impressed given that this Goenawan’s first novel and I am definitely looking forward to what she brings in the future.
I didn’t give this book 5 stars because it did started to drag just a little towards the end, it is good to keep in mind that this is not a fast paced mystery novel, it is a slow burn, focused mainly on other aspects of the story as many Japanese writing goes (it almost reads like a Murakami novel). The beauty of this book is that as slow and uneventful as it might seem, it still finds ways to keep you engaged.
Rainbirds was quite the journey, it was a poetic story of self discovery set in a small town, each character we meet is so well done and so important. The imagery is beautiful, the writing just pulls you in, the small added magical realism was interesting. I am pretty impressed given that this Goenawan’s first novel and I am definitely looking forward to what she brings in the future.
I didn’t give this book 5 stars because it did started to drag just a little towards the end, it is good to keep in mind that this is not a fast paced mystery novel, it is a slow burn, focused mainly on other aspects of the story as many Japanese writing goes (it almost reads like a Murakami novel). The beauty of this book is that as slow and uneventful as it might seem, it still finds ways to keep you engaged.
nicholeb84's review against another edition
2.0
I must be in some sort of reading slump. I didn't love (or really enjoy) any of the books I've read in April.
I had heard amazing things about this debut novel. It was a let down. While I enjoyed the relationship between the siblings, I felt like the novel fell flat in many cases. I just. . .didn't enjoy it.
I had heard amazing things about this debut novel. It was a let down. While I enjoyed the relationship between the siblings, I felt like the novel fell flat in many cases. I just. . .didn't enjoy it.