Scan barcode
rachellen's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I found this a calm book to read, it wasn’t particularly exciting or enthralling but the fast paced style of writing meant that the eventual climax at the ending of the story seemed felt tense.
I found it to be a realistic look into someone’s life where the narrator is not conscious of appearing flawed or derivative of melancholic beginnings. The narrator seems stressed throughout in socialisation and pleasing others, yet her relationship with Mieko is the one that serves her the most. This was sweet, when Mieko said that everything they did was for her.
I found it to be a realistic look into someone’s life where the narrator is not conscious of appearing flawed or derivative of melancholic beginnings. The narrator seems stressed throughout in socialisation and pleasing others, yet her relationship with Mieko is the one that serves her the most. This was sweet, when Mieko said that everything they did was for her.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
bexi's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: War and Xenophobia
Minor: Dementia and Suicide
markwillnevercry's review against another edition
3.0
I do not quite know what to tell about this book. I wanted it to be really good, but it was just okay, so I am feeling a bit let down (even tho I am the one who expected it to be really good for no reason). It still was like, good time spent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide and Fatphobia
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
jayisreading's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
It took me far longer than expected to read such a short book. I didn’t enjoy this as much as I thought I would, which is a bit of a disappointment. I don’t mind reading stories that aren’t as plot-focused, but The Pachinko Parlour felt a little too sparse for my taste. That being said, given the theme of identity (especially found in culture/language) and the crises that come with it, I can’t help but wonder if the sparseness of the writing (and translation, perhaps) was deliberate. It’d be interesting to read this in the original French, just to see what nuances may have disappeared.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Dementia, and War
Minor: Suicide
arieslofi's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Gore and Self harm
Minor: Suicide
self-harm and gore is about a line regarding our main character's great-grandmother. could be nothing, could be a lot, depends on the person.ilana_pop's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Sometimes you read a book where you understand the sentences, but you don't grasp the story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
felicityj's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Dementia and Suicide
lianne_rooney's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
29-year old Claire spends summer in Tokyo with her Korean grandparents. Her grandparents fled Seoul during the Korean war and set up a Pachinko parlour, Shiny, in Tokyo. They have not returned to Korea since and Claire is determined to visit with them, concerned that they should revisit their homeland before they die. While waiting to arrange their trip Claire takes a job as a French tutor to 10-year-old Meiko. As Claire struggles to connect with her grandparents a bon builds between her and Meiko.
This is a thoughtful, melancholy story that examines language, identity and belonging. I admire the spare, well-observed writing style but didn't connect with this story as much as the author's previous novella, Winter in Sokcho. In this case I felt that the relationships needed more space to be teased out. I was more engaged with Claire's relationship with her grandparents that with Meiko and it wasn't until the last few pages that I felt fully invested. That said, I will continue to seek out future work by Elisa Shua Dusapin.
This is a thoughtful, melancholy story that examines language, identity and belonging. I admire the spare, well-observed writing style but didn't connect with this story as much as the author's previous novella, Winter in Sokcho. In this case I felt that the relationships needed more space to be teased out. I was more engaged with Claire's relationship with her grandparents that with Meiko and it wasn't until the last few pages that I felt fully invested. That said, I will continue to seek out future work by Elisa Shua Dusapin.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
lolaloupiotte's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Suicide
More...