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stellahadz's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I wanted more from this book. It had an interesting premise, and the prose was nice, but most of the characters seemed a bit flat and it felt like the author was doing more telling than showing, to use a writing cliché, which isn't my preferred writing style. The story did pick up in the last 50-ish pages or so, and I liked how the earthquake scene made Mizuki reevaluate her life and her decisions. I'm not sure if we're supposed to be happy or sad for her by the end, though, and there's something interesting about that ambiguity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Death of parent and Suicidal thoughts
booksandlattesaddict's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Suicidal thoughts
lucyatoz's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
You would think that Mizuki had it all... She has a handsome, successful husband, two adorable children, and a beautiful home in Tokyo, far away from her childhood home in the countryside. So why is she feeling so lonely and standing on the edge of her high rise balcony?
She meets, by chance, the equally handsome and successful Kiyoshi and when she is with him she feels so alive! However, they know that their friendship, which becomes something more, cannot continue and a choice will soon have to be made. But can Mizuki make the decision between two different lives facing her. Ultimately, being trapped in a carriage on the Tokyo Metro during a earthquake, helps her to consider what path she takes, but is it the right one?
Faults Lines was the debut novel by Emily Itami, which was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award, and is an interesting story about being a Japanese housewife and a young mother and her questioning if this is all she wants or if she needs more.
She meets, by chance, the equally handsome and successful Kiyoshi and when she is with him she feels so alive! However, they know that their friendship, which becomes something more, cannot continue and a choice will soon have to be made. But can Mizuki make the decision between two different lives facing her. Ultimately, being trapped in a carriage on the Tokyo Metro during a earthquake, helps her to consider what path she takes, but is it the right one?
Faults Lines was the debut novel by Emily Itami, which was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award, and is an interesting story about being a Japanese housewife and a young mother and her questioning if this is all she wants or if she needs more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Bullying, Death of parent, and Suicidal thoughts
cynthiareads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Loved this! It felt like I was getting an insiders and outsiders view of Tokyo at the same time. Characters are all complex and relatable. I liked that there are no villains in the story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
katja24's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Infidelity
johannap12's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Good writing, written like one long letter from main character’s perspective, vivid descriptions of Japanese culture
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Suicidal thoughts
btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Racism and Death of parent
Adultery, and experiencing an earthquakejapanasi's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
this doesn’t qualify as a review, but
that moment of uncontrolled inner joy when Morning Musume was mentioned
that moment of uncontrolled inner joy when Morning Musume was mentioned
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Dysphoria, and Abandonment
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
jaymc's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
mushielei's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is an awesome emotional journey. The character voices her thoughts in beautiful metaphors and in a writing style that is somehow both poetic, relatable and natural. Romance and slice of life novels have never been my thing (I'm more of a fantasy/adventure nerd) but I savored every moment of this story. It felt so real even to me, a person who's neither a mom or a wife, but have known people similar to Mizuki. This is the kind of book you enjoy with a cup of tea and contemplate for a while.
Also, the ending was immaculate. Everything was wrapped up but there was still a sense of progression, like you could imagine the rest of Mizuki's life clearly and feel good about it. Overall a gorgeous story that I'm going to have to buy for my shelf (I got the copy I read from the library). I love it.
Also, the ending was immaculate. Everything was wrapped up but there was still a sense of progression, like you could imagine the rest of Mizuki's life clearly and feel good about it. Overall a gorgeous story that I'm going to have to buy for my shelf (I got the copy I read from the library). I love it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts