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challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a challenging book because of its content. However, the writing is absolutely beautiful and I felt the depiction of the three characters added so much depth to the novel. It makes you think a lot about what we can fool ourselves into thinking is right… It also shows the power of the herd mentality, especially when it comes to children.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Murder
Moderate: Sexual content
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
i'm normally someone who loves lots of descriptions and setting detailed scenes - but this book had way, way too much of it. cut out the (very repetitive) descriptions of the sea, sky and ships and 1/3 of the book would be gone. also, i know the central theme is sailing / the sea / ships, but a totally excessive amount of nautical jargon is used, to the point that it's very frustrating and impossible to research every single one.
otherwise, it has some beautiful prose and a dark, intriguing story, but the above issues made it difficult to stay engaged and a bit of a slog at times. the character of fusako was also underdeveloped and underutilised.
otherwise, it has some beautiful prose and a dark, intriguing story, but the above issues made it difficult to stay engaged and a bit of a slog at times. the character of fusako was also underdeveloped and underutilised.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gore, Incest
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Sexual content, Death of parent, Murder
Minor: Suicide attempt
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Gore
Minor: Sexual content
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death
Moderate: Death, Murder
Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gore
Moderate: Death, Sexual content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The language itself was lyrical and captivating, which only made the unsettling story even more so. The subject matter is bleak and creepy and terrifying as a stand alone piece but especially in the context of Mishima’s ideologies and life.
I went into this thinking Noburo as the allegorical representation of traditional Japan would be Mishima’s fictional counterpart in this story, as Fusako is of the west. But I realise Mishima seems to have represented himself or perhaps the general ‘self’ of agency in Ryuji, the sailor torn between worlds. I find it interesting he’s dissected himself and his ideologies into two conflicting characters in that way and can only begin to imagine how much of this actually reflects the violence of the conflicts and resolve that existed in his own sense of self.
I went into this thinking Noburo as the allegorical representation of traditional Japan would be Mishima’s fictional counterpart in this story, as Fusako is of the west. But I realise Mishima seems to have represented himself or perhaps the general ‘self’ of agency in Ryuji, the sailor torn between worlds. I find it interesting he’s dissected himself and his ideologies into two conflicting characters in that way and can only begin to imagine how much of this actually reflects the violence of the conflicts and resolve that existed in his own sense of self.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Sexual content, Violence
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Murder
Minor: Sexual content
dark
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This novella is dark, with two majorly disturbing scenes. It's difficult to give a plot summary as, at only 140 pages, it is over as soon as it has begun. A group of teenage boys pride themselves on their objectivity. One of them, Noboru, thrives on order and safety. It begins with him spying on his naked mother and as she begins a relationship with a sailor. The logical pathway Noboru follows is interesting and horrific, as he becomes increasingly disillusioned from idealism.
Don't read if you love cats.
Don't read if you love cats.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death
Moderate: Sexual content