Reviews

The Color of the Sky Is the Shape of the Heart by Chesil

lanadelrat's review

informative inspiring medium-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

3.25

aehaggerty's review

3.0

Actually 3.5

margeryb's review

emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault

eavery's review

hopeful mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence

aielinnae's review

5.0

I requested The Color of the Sky is the Shape of the Heart mostly because the cover is beautiful (I will happily trade some of my money for a poster of the gorgeous cover art, hint, hint Soho Teen). A beautifully woven story of growing up, specifically as a Zainichi Korean in Japan, identity, and belonging that is hard to put down once you begin. This book is most definitely for anyone who enjoyed the heart and the history in Pachinko.

denesaur's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

jwanz86's review

3.0

A intriguing and curious read. The book is a snapshot of the journey of Ginny/Jinhee, struggling through school as she duels with the duality of her identity. The book weaves in her story in the present, getting kicked out of another school, as she reflects back on her time in a North Korean school in Tokyo, where she (as a Japan-born Korean) must push away her Japanese cultural connection.

It’s a quick read to the point that there almost feels like there’s parts of this story missing that could have been further explored (like Jinhee’s time in Hawaii). But the story setting in Oregon contrasts well with her journey in Tokyo. It also explores nationalism in a very relevant way, and how that bubbles up in Jinhee.

bkimsey44's review

emotional informative mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Slow burn. The pace doesn't pick up until about 100 pages in. I had to reread some of the earlier chapters again to understand the significance of things that happened later. I enjoyed learning about some of the challenges and racism that Korean people experience in Japan. It was eye-opening for me.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual assault and Self harm

m_aurora's review

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

plutoleahh's review

reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Xenophobia