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stinekristin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.25
Minor: Death of parent
shotzee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
the_reading_wren's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
“Reading a book is a lot like climbing a mountain.”
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Ableism and Fatphobia
ninamanon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I did, however, find fault with the idea that classic western literature or philosophers are inherently better than every new book published today. Classics are usually full of discrimination and outdated views; it’s important to read them and reflect on the content, but to put them on a pedestal like this bothers me. Also, books are more accessible than ever before: not everyone who reads is a scholar nowadays. There’s a book for everyone, and I think that’s wonderful!
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
blues's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Minor: Body shaming, Confinement, Death, and Death of parent
jaredt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
A shut-in who can't express his grief, can't move forward, is pushed to by a talking cat. The cat wants to save books, and uses Rintaro to get that mission done, but there's more to it. The cat wants Rintaro to save books, who is leaving the bookshop his grandpa ran, who raised Rintaro and died pretty recent.
This is a story of Rintaro on an adventure, and how being pushed out of his shell changes him along the way. How he remembers his grandpa, the routine he had, the love he put into the bookshop.
This is a good book to see how grief can essentially stop a person, especially if they're already someone who keeps to themself. And for that kind of person to slowly step out of that corner when nudged. In this case, it was Rintaro's love of books and his grandpa that helped push him see the folks around him, cat included, who want him to grow and find his place.
This is not an over the top adventure, and Rintaro isn't some hero character. He has a passion, and its that passion that fuels him to change instead of stop completely.
I liked the story overall. It took me a while to get through it, and it wasn't until Sayo's integration into the plot did I feel more engaged. The cat was definitely a highlight, though I wish we got more time sitting with the cat's thoughts and feelings. It felt more like a tool used to support Rintaro verses another character, but I still enjoyed their presence when they were there.
A short story, a speck of introspection, and while I felt kinda ehh about the overall message on books with what they used to represent in the past compared to now, I think it had a decent message overall in regards to connection and support.
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief
In relation to death of parent, this is more of death of 'grandparent', who took on the role of parent to raise Rintaro. The death has already happened in the opening of the book, and is integral to the disposition of the main character. The nature of the death is also looked back on a bit further in to the story.rahrahjay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death of parent
astropova's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Kidnapping and Death of parent
The fatphobia is gratuitous and unchallenged. It takes the form of two offhand comments just before and duringjassieex's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Death
Minor: Death of parent
ollie_again's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death and Death of parent