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cobwebshelves's review
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
"If I become a model person, more so than any Japanese, I still won't be treated like a proper human as long as I have Korean citizenship. The way a sumo wrestler can't become a stable master while he still has foreign citizenship. Assimilation or exclusion. There are only two choices in this country."
This is a conflicting one, properly leaning more towards a 2.5, and I wonder if it's just that Nieda's translations don't click for me. They work from a technical point but the language kind of feels stifled. While the summary speaks of the relationship between Sugihara and Sakurai as the focal point, it felt more like a B plot to the story and was certainly its biggest weakness. The conversations fell flat and the development of their relationship felt like a confetti gun - fired off in an instant and fizzled out just as quickly. It doesn't help that the dialog between these two in particular felt lifeless, including this gem:
"What kind of music do you listen to?" she asked.
"All different kinds. But I guess I don't listen to a lot of Japanese music."
"Why not?"
"I don't know. I never really thought about it. What kind of music do you listen to?"
"I listen to all different kinds. But I guess I don't listen to a lot of Japanese music."
"Why not?"
"I don't know. I never really thought about it."
"I guess that makes us the same."
"I guess it does."
This would be effective portrayal of awkward teenagers early in a relationship were it not for the fact that plenty of other dialog instances really shone, especially concerning discussions of ethnicity and xenophobia. That's really where "Go" shines - it's raw in its discussion of the social predisposition of Zainichi and how they're perceived by the Japanese society. Kaneshiro captures the sense of alienation, of belonging everywhere and nowhere, beautifully. It's only a shame that such scenes were little isles of gold in between what was otherwise a slog to get through.
Structurally, the novel felt a little disorganised, as time skips and flashbacks often occurred suddenly, with little warning, making the timeline muddled sometimes, though I will commend that all loose ends tied together. I don't mind the protagonist being an annoying violent teenage boy but some instances of violent bordered on the line of impossibility.
Though the strength of "Go" lies in its depiction of social struggle and little dips into philosophy, it falls short when it comes to convincing characterisation.
This is a conflicting one, properly leaning more towards a 2.5, and I wonder if it's just that Nieda's translations don't click for me. They work from a technical point but the language kind of feels stifled. While the summary speaks of the relationship between Sugihara and Sakurai as the focal point, it felt more like a B plot to the story and was certainly its biggest weakness. The conversations fell flat and the development of their relationship felt like a confetti gun - fired off in an instant and fizzled out just as quickly. It doesn't help that the dialog between these two in particular felt lifeless, including this gem:
"What kind of music do you listen to?" she asked.
"All different kinds. But I guess I don't listen to a lot of Japanese music."
"Why not?"
"I don't know. I never really thought about it. What kind of music do you listen to?"
"I listen to all different kinds. But I guess I don't listen to a lot of Japanese music."
"Why not?"
"I don't know. I never really thought about it."
"I guess that makes us the same."
"I guess it does."
This would be effective portrayal of awkward teenagers early in a relationship were it not for the fact that plenty of other dialog instances really shone, especially concerning discussions of ethnicity and xenophobia. That's really where "Go" shines - it's raw in its discussion of the social predisposition of Zainichi and how they're perceived by the Japanese society. Kaneshiro captures the sense of alienation, of belonging everywhere and nowhere, beautifully. It's only a shame that such scenes were little isles of gold in between what was otherwise a slog to get through.
Structurally, the novel felt a little disorganised, as time skips and flashbacks often occurred suddenly, with little warning, making the timeline muddled sometimes, though I will commend that all loose ends tied together. I don't mind the protagonist being an annoying violent teenage boy but some instances of violent bordered on the line of impossibility.
Though the strength of "Go" lies in its depiction of social struggle and little dips into philosophy, it falls short when it comes to convincing characterisation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Child death, Murder, Violence, Racism, Xenophobia, Toxic friendship, and Blood
Moderate: Suicide
hjb_128's review
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Murder, Child abuse, Racism, Bullying, Violence, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
aperrey's review
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Go is classified as a young adult novel. However, it is completely inappropriate for anyone under 16 or 17. It has too much violence and sex, and little plot that young American teens would relate to. The main character seems to fight nearly every male he meets; his family is dysfunctional, and his father is also violent. There are descriptions of very risky behavior and murder without a compelling plot to explain them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, Sexual content, Racism, and Death
ximevillarejo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Murder, Police brutality, Classism, Deportation, Racism, Bullying, and Hate crime
aliciae08's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I gave this a 2.5 not because it wasn’t good but because I just didn’t like it.
It had a slow start that did pick up pace, but some of the translation at the beginning of the book felt wooden. It was very character-driven and followed a main protagonist who was both so angry and hopeful that he could change things.
It was interesting to see how racism is enacted upon non-Black people of color by a non-white dominant group. There was discussion on how we’re all connected down to DNA and that the only thing othering humans are man-made borders. It was compelling.
I adored the love the male characters have for one another. Even though there is representations of toxic masculinity, there was deep love and care there. It was unexpected for me and I hope to read more books with male relationships similar to that (if not less violent).
I did not like the love interest. She was peak manic pixi dream girl.
It had a slow start that did pick up pace, but some of the translation at the beginning of the book felt wooden. It was very character-driven and followed a main protagonist who was both so angry and hopeful that he could change things.
It was interesting to see how racism is enacted upon non-Black people of color by a non-white dominant group. There was discussion on how we’re all connected down to DNA and that the only thing othering humans are man-made borders. It was compelling.
I adored the love the male characters have for one another. Even though there is representations of toxic masculinity, there was deep love and care there. It was unexpected for me and I hope to read more books with male relationships similar to that (if not less violent).
I did not like the love interest. She was peak manic pixi dream girl.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Xenophobia
serendipity421's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, and Racism
jselliot's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Not quite what I was expecting, going into this book. It actually resembles The Outsiders in a different regional setting. The narrative definitely immerses you into Sugihara's head, directly speaking through a first person vehicle. And, whether the author intended it or not, exposes some of Sugihara's own biases despite his little rebellions towards his father's obvious sexism with his own leanings. Teenage boys. But the loss of - arguably - Sugihara's best friend and subsequent alienation by his own former friends when he refused to go for blood only put a fine point on his situation.
While not a perfect book, it was satisfying by the end. It just has some flaws that are directly related to the social culture of the late 90s, particularly with how same-sex relationships were viewed as deviant at the time. (Obvious content warnings with small-time gang violence and child abuse.)
While not a perfect book, it was satisfying by the end. It just has some flaws that are directly related to the social culture of the late 90s, particularly with how same-sex relationships were viewed as deviant at the time. (Obvious content warnings with small-time gang violence and child abuse.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Homophobia, Death, and Grief
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