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adventurous
hopeful
informative
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Misogyny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-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:
Yes
I had no idea what to expect from this, but was so delighted by it. I don't know anything about modern countryside Japan, so I don't know how authentic it is. I hope, though, that it's more truth than fiction.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
First chapter includes character being physically forced to stay at the job he was sent to by mother. The guy he's made to stay with regularly cheats on his wife and makes the main character help convince her to come home after she leaves because one of his dalliances calls her at home. He gets into the parents house by giving her dad a discount to the place he goes to cheat. Why is this described as cute, cozy, quaint so much? Fucking terrible.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Misogyny
Minor: Confinement, Domestic abuse
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found this title on StoryGraph when I recognised the narrator's name as one of the guys who was in How High We Go in the Dark. It's interesting and with some dry humour.. pretty cosy. My first impression was that it felt like a Studio Ghibli movie.. but probably more Takahata than Miyazaki.
As in the film Only Yesterday the main character moves from the city into the country and learns about how to tend to the natural world. As he is working in forestry he finds out that there is a lot more to it than just cutting down trees.
I really enjoyed looking up all the plants that were mentioned in the rambles in more untended parts of the forest, from rambling roses to Kerria, Akeba (chocolate vine), Yoshino Cherry and Katsura, Deutzia and white Flowering Ash. There is a reference to a giant camphor tree (as in Totoro) and a missing child is "Spirited Away", and the cedar pollen fall is likened to the spore fall in the fungal forest in the movie Nausicaä. Let's just say that they are leaning into the vibe. Even the party scene feels like Pom Poko. (Apologies if you have never heard of these movies... you should watch them all.)
Most of the tale is told as slice of life anecdotes, with some info-dumps as the character who knows nothing and gets told a lot about the history of the area, forestry, and local customs. There is some spooky magical forest spirit stuff, and local characters being their irrepressible selves, and some full blown mayhem near the end of the book. I had fun and I see there is a sequel.. well well.
As in the film Only Yesterday the main character moves from the city into the country and learns about how to tend to the natural world. As he is working in forestry he finds out that there is a lot more to it than just cutting down trees.
I really enjoyed looking up all the plants that were mentioned in the rambles in more untended parts of the forest, from rambling roses to Kerria, Akeba (chocolate vine), Yoshino Cherry and Katsura, Deutzia and white Flowering Ash. There is a reference to a giant camphor tree (as in Totoro) and a missing child is "Spirited Away", and the cedar pollen fall is likened to the spore fall in the fungal forest in the movie Nausicaä. Let's just say that they are leaning into the vibe. Even the party scene feels like Pom Poko. (Apologies if you have never heard of these movies... you should watch them all.)
Most of the tale is told as slice of life anecdotes, with some info-dumps as the character who knows nothing and gets told a lot about the history of the area, forestry, and local customs. There is some spooky magical forest spirit stuff, and local characters being their irrepressible selves, and some full blown mayhem near the end of the book. I had fun and I see there is a sequel.. well well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Grief
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
As the title suggests, this coming-of-age novel was easygoing, following Yuki Hirano to the mountains of Japan. Yuki is incredibly displeased that he has to leave his comfortable city life because his parents signed him up for a forestry training program, but eventually discovers the joys of the Kamusari villagers' lifestyle and principles.
This was somewhat of a predictable novel, but it was a comforting and illuminating read that was reminiscent of Studio Ghibli films. (I especially think of Isao Takahata's films more than Miyazaki's, to be honest.) Comforting, in the sense that you get the small joys in life that are so often highlighted. Illuminating, in the sense that you get insight into a deeply important subculture of Japan.
I will say that I was a little annoyed with how forgiving people were of a side character's infidelity. I was also a bit taken aback when I saw that a prize for one festival was the chance to sleep with any woman in the village (even if this isn't enforced). I suppose this might speak to a remote village's old-fashioned beliefs/customs, but these were my main issues.
This was somewhat of a predictable novel, but it was a comforting and illuminating read that was reminiscent of Studio Ghibli films. (I especially think of Isao Takahata's films more than Miyazaki's, to be honest.) Comforting, in the sense that you get the small joys in life that are so often highlighted. Illuminating, in the sense that you get insight into a deeply important subculture of Japan.
I will say that I was a little annoyed with how forgiving people were of a side character's infidelity. I was also a bit taken aback when I saw that a prize for one festival was the chance to sleep with any woman in the village (even if this isn't enforced). I suppose this might speak to a remote village's old-fashioned beliefs/customs, but these were my main issues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal death, Death
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Infidelity
Minor: Animal death
reflective
relaxing
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:
Complicated
Enjoyed the tree/nature descriptions and small village life. Less of a fan of the "persist in trying to 'win' the girl even when she explicitly says no multiple times 'romance'" parts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Infidelity, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Death, Sexual content