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badmc 's review for:
The Nakano Thrift Shop
by Hiromi Kawakami
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In this plotless, meandering work, I felt a tinge of interest, frustration, but ultimately disappointment. Through the eyes of Hitomi, a naive thrift shop worker, we glimpse a world of intriguing characters: the titular Mr. Nakano, the creative Masayo, and the reserved Takeyo. Amidst their interactions, the book offers some interesting contrasts between people, objects, and metaphors. Hitomi's struggle with emotions leads to almost comical paragraphs as she fixates on the tangible, everything else being out of her reach.
Yet, my disappointment grew as I read on. Hitomi's emotional suppression remains unexplored, leaving her and her relationships mostly surface-level. The characters and themes lacked any kind of resonance, and I yearned for any kind of connection that will enable me to empathize with the characters.
Yet, my disappointment grew as I read on. Hitomi's emotional suppression remains unexplored, leaving her and her relationships mostly surface-level. The characters and themes lacked any kind of resonance, and I yearned for any kind of connection that will enable me to empathize with the characters.