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3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent
Minor: Abortion
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's a fairly small novel and the writing seemed off. I think it's the translation. The story had potential, but a lot of elements were off. And the incest angle felt forced, and the piano teacher having sex with the student and she is apparently very cool and mysterious didn't sit right with me. But it didn't take up a lot of my time because it was a tiny novel. Thankfully.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Banana Yoshimoto is one of my favorite authors, which is why this was such a disappointing read. I struggled to finish this less than 150-page book.
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't care if they're not biologically related, that is still incest. This book didn't really do much, except tell us that having an aunt who's a teacher in a relationship with her student is very cool and quirky. Writing was decent but the author's husband is into pseudoscience. Lots to think about.
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
A very warm read. Growing up, being yourself, finding yourself, letting go and taking in life. What a magical short read.
I feel like I would have liked this more if not for the pseudo-incest and ephebophilia.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The writing was beautiful, that to me made this book still worth reading, and it is short. If that wasn't the case it would have been utterly frustrating. And it was still a read that weirded me out at times. Like the completely uncritical portrayal of a student teacher romance that every involved character and bystander seems to think of as very normal. It was very atmospheric though, I'll give it that.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book got me out of my reading dry spell. I 100% judged this book by its cover and I’m so glad I did. I picked it up because it was so beautiful and I was instantly drawn in. I needed a short book to give me a win and get me back into reading and I’m so glad I picked up this book. It took me on a lovely little trip.
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Beautifully written and translated. While I struggled with the incestuous relationship between the MC and her brother, I am yet again full of awe and gratitude for Banana Yoshimoto's boldness in exploring unconventional families with empathy and nuance.
I read the audiobook edition, and was frustrated with the rhythm and intonation the reader used -- if I read it again, I will stick with a print edition.
I read the audiobook edition, and was frustrated with the rhythm and intonation the reader used -- if I read it again, I will stick with a print edition.