A review by thrillerbingergirl
Dandelions by Yasunari Kawabata

reflective sad
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
𝘐𝘯𝘦𝘬𝘰 is a young woman in love, affected by a strange condition: «𝘀𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘦𝘳𝘒 π˜₯𝘦 𝘀𝘢𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘰». π˜’π˜Άπ˜―π˜°, her boyfriend, wants to marry her to be by her side and take care of her, but 𝘐𝘯𝘦𝘬𝘰's mother believes that it is better for the young woman to be cured first and decides to hospitalize her.

𝘐𝘯𝘦𝘬𝘰 experiences episodes where he cannot see his partner's body. She is aware that he is there in front of her but she cannot see him. This novel compiles an extensive dialogue between π˜’π˜Άπ˜―π˜° and 𝘐𝘯𝘦𝘬𝘰's mother, after admitting her to an asylum. And the weight of that decision. His mother fears that 𝘐𝘯𝘦𝘬𝘰 will one day stop seeing everyone around him. π˜’π˜Άπ˜―π˜° is convinced that his love can help her and is willing to take care of her. But love is not enough for 𝘐𝘯𝘦𝘬𝘰's mother. After leaving her in the asylum, together they question this decision and the fragile border between sanity and madness.