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bluenpink's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
clumsy_plop's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
myyearofreadingandrelaxation's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
angela_iseli's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
starlesslyra's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Every book by a Japanese author I've ever read always talks about breasts in it. Every single one.
reading_noise's review against another edition
reread after reading more of K's works maybe
dylankakoulli's review against another edition
3.0
Dandelions is a simple, sparsely told -if slightly strange tale, that explores how individuals both suppress, process and overcome trauma and the fallibility of memory.
Kawabata’s reflective (though at times a tad repetitive) prose, is purposeful and poignant. Especially when describing the natural environment around our main characters -I found the poor, scarred and crying trees to be a particularly beautiful allegory.
Overall, this is the epitome of Japanese writing -where on the surface, not very much “happens”, but what lies within, will provoke plenty of food for thought.
3.5 stars
Only knocking off 1/2 a star as I wasn’t overly enamoured by the constant reference to the mental institution as a “madhouse” and the patients as “crazies” -dated it may be, but that didn’t (and should never) be an excuse.
Kawabata’s reflective (though at times a tad repetitive) prose, is purposeful and poignant. Especially when describing the natural environment around our main characters -I found the poor, scarred and crying trees to be a particularly beautiful allegory.
Overall, this is the epitome of Japanese writing -where on the surface, not very much “happens”, but what lies within, will provoke plenty of food for thought.
3.5 stars
Only knocking off 1/2 a star as I wasn’t overly enamoured by the constant reference to the mental institution as a “madhouse” and the patients as “crazies” -dated it may be, but that didn’t (and should never) be an excuse.
lipka's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The bridge was hardly long enough to say you had crossed it.
This reads like a twilight. It fits that so much of the dialogue takes place in the dwindling light, then in darkness around the nine o'clock bell. And the book is just so: a precious few conversations about Ineko, Inako.
The dialogue is cradled in a holding pattern, or maybe circling a drain far in the middle of a manmade river. But it does spin. It does ripple, distorting and calming in turns the waves of memory, trauma, and responsibility.
It's odd, maybe, but it's very Kawabata. The Dandelion is paused in the half-light, looking forward to dawn.
Graphic: Animal death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Minor: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Body horror, Child death, War, Murder, Sexual content, Suicide, and Sexism
claudia_c's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0