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A review by xingshoo
草茉莉 [Four O'Clock Flower] by Ashitaka
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
4.5
I don’t think any other novel has made me feel such an intense heartbreak. It’s full of love — all kinds of them, such as the one between siblings, the one between family, the one between friends, the one between two strangers, the one between lovers — and yet it explores how all of these can be a messy mix of stubbornness, unwillingness, selfishness, worry, fear and understanding.
This novel goes deep into how homophobia can destroy someone’s self-worth, how the lack of understanding and willingness to listen can completely bring someone to the brink of a breakdown, how misfortunes can build up over time and how people fight to escape from their lowest point in life. But it’s also very hopeful in the way it shows how the light can seep in through the cracks, how two people are able to fall in love and want to be together despite it all.
If violence, bullying and emotional abuse driven by homophobia is something that triggers you, I would honestly skip this book. It’s really not for everyone. However, if it’s something you would be interested in, I promise you it’s one of the most touching and realistic love stories I’ve ever read, as someone who’s gay herself.
MORE SPECIFIC TRIGGERS (SPOILERS BELOW)
— The main character had at some point a physical relationship with a teacher when he was in junior high.
— The main character attempts suicide.
— The main character was forced to come out.
— The main character suffers from physical and emotional abuse by his family and people from
the village where he’s from.
— One of the side characters has to go to the hospital due to his one night stand being extremely rough and dismissive of the consequences of his actions during their physical relationship.
— One of the side characters gets into a car accident and has severe injuries.
(These are just some of the ones I can remember from the top of my head, there are many more, so please take care of yourself if these can trigger you, as this is a heavy novel!)
This novel goes deep into how homophobia can destroy someone’s self-worth, how the lack of understanding and willingness to listen can completely bring someone to the brink of a breakdown, how misfortunes can build up over time and how people fight to escape from their lowest point in life. But it’s also very hopeful in the way it shows how the light can seep in through the cracks, how two people are able to fall in love and want to be together despite it all.
If violence, bullying and emotional abuse driven by homophobia is something that triggers you, I would honestly skip this book. It’s really not for everyone. However, if it’s something you would be interested in, I promise you it’s one of the most touching and realistic love stories I’ve ever read, as someone who’s gay herself.
MORE SPECIFIC TRIGGERS (SPOILERS BELOW)
— The main character attempts suicide.
— The main character was forced to come out.
— The main character suffers from physical and emotional abuse by his family and people from
the village where he’s from.
— One of the side characters has to go to the hospital due to his one night stand being extremely rough and dismissive of the consequences of his actions during their physical relationship.
— One of the side characters gets into a car accident and has severe injuries.
(These are just some of the ones I can remember from the top of my head, there are many more, so please take care of yourself if these can trigger you, as this is a heavy novel!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Car accident
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Suicide attempt