Scan barcode
jesslynnstudio's review against another edition
3.0
I finished Amrita, by Banana Yoshimoto, today. The story is about a young woman adjusting to the tides of life after a head injury left her with partial amnesia. She travels, works, dates, and helps her brother surmount struggles caused by his burgeoning psychic abilities.
While I enjoyed the meandering plot, I wasn't a fan of the repetitive writing style. At one point, for instance, the narrator writes a letter explaining a scene that just occurred, then describes the letter immediately afterwards. Many paragraphs could have been condensed to a sentence or two. There is a tendency to name the feeling metaphors are meant to inspire, within the imagery itself.
Some of the repetition might be due to the story having been translated. Perhaps in the original Japanese, there are many synonyms for single word English equivalents? I don't know. But it took me months to push through this book.
While I enjoyed the meandering plot, I wasn't a fan of the repetitive writing style. At one point, for instance, the narrator writes a letter explaining a scene that just occurred, then describes the letter immediately afterwards. Many paragraphs could have been condensed to a sentence or two. There is a tendency to name the feeling metaphors are meant to inspire, within the imagery itself.
Some of the repetition might be due to the story having been translated. Perhaps in the original Japanese, there are many synonyms for single word English equivalents? I don't know. But it took me months to push through this book.
mistypb's review against another edition
1.0
Like a 1.5….
Why is she dating her dead sisters boyfriend… and why doesn’t anyone in the book acknowledge how weird that is….
It’s not really a coherent novel imo
Why is she dating her dead sisters boyfriend… and why doesn’t anyone in the book acknowledge how weird that is….
It’s not really a coherent novel imo
radha_aroha's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
_dustypage_'s review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings for this one.
On the one hand, the novel does not have any actual plot, so everything feels really fragmented and disconnected. Mostly the narrative moves along in whichever direction the main character, Sakumi, thinks. As a result, once you put down the book, it’s really hard to pick it up as there is no drive, nothing interesting that urges you to continue reading.
On the other hand, Banana’s writing has always appealed to me the same way. Her prose somehow feels extremely peaceful and calming to me. Parts where she writes about the sea speak to me the most. I can just read that for hours and hours without ever feeling bored.
That is to say, giving a book with no plot a higher review is not something I do, no matter how much it pains me to 3-star a Banana Yoshimoto book.
On the one hand, the novel does not have any actual plot, so everything feels really fragmented and disconnected. Mostly the narrative moves along in whichever direction the main character, Sakumi, thinks. As a result, once you put down the book, it’s really hard to pick it up as there is no drive, nothing interesting that urges you to continue reading.
On the other hand, Banana’s writing has always appealed to me the same way. Her prose somehow feels extremely peaceful and calming to me. Parts where she writes about the sea speak to me the most. I can just read that for hours and hours without ever feeling bored.
That is to say, giving a book with no plot a higher review is not something I do, no matter how much it pains me to 3-star a Banana Yoshimoto book.
maraec5c4's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.5
chairmanbernanke's review against another edition
3.0
A book about a few people's lives and affairs, which the author narrates quite interestingly.
bellep's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
solaana's review against another edition
I stole this book from a girl named Ife. Ife means love in Ibo.
suvata's review against another edition
3.0
• Audible Originals audiobook
• Translated from Japanese
The main character, Sakumi, loses her beautiful younger sister, an actress, to suicide. Sakumi subsequently falls down a flight of stairs, losing her memory. She struggles to regain her memory with the assistance of her sister's lover and a clairvoyant kid brother.
• Translated from Japanese
The main character, Sakumi, loses her beautiful younger sister, an actress, to suicide. Sakumi subsequently falls down a flight of stairs, losing her memory. She struggles to regain her memory with the assistance of her sister's lover and a clairvoyant kid brother.
dabbo's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.5
My favorite thing about Banana Yoshimoto is her ability to so beautifully and eloquently capture the mundane and simplicity of every day life. This book is all about that. A young girl’s sister dies by suicide and then she falls down the stairs and loses her memory. As she grows and experiences life, love, and grief she slowly regains her memory and her life unfolds before her. Not much happens but so much happens at the same time.
Some passages were so beautiful I cried. Definitely in the genre of coming of age if you like that with a touch of magical realism. Your heart will be warmed.
Some passages were so beautiful I cried. Definitely in the genre of coming of age if you like that with a touch of magical realism. Your heart will be warmed.