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A review by literaryjunarin
The Nakano Thrift Shop by Hiromi Kawakami
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
“Having to worry about whether someone is healthy enough to tolerate my fierce hatred or criticism before I decide to blame them - that’s what I call getting old.”
This is my first read of Hiromi Kawakami. It was a bit boring at first, which is how I always feel when reading Japanese literature. When I got used to it, I found the scenes full of life. Kawakami charmingly captured the most ordinary moments of everyday life. Since the book only has a small set of characters, with a thrift shop in the backdrop, it felt cozy. They are eccentric in their own way. However, personally, I think the characters are not very interesting. Maybe except for Takeo because of how taciturn he is.
Just when I started wondering what the point of the book is, I was slammed with this: "I felt as though, by falling in love with him, I had hurt him somehow. I hated the thought of that, more than I hated the idea of being hurt myself. Thinking I was making myself out to be such a good person, I had to laugh a little. The rain was torrential."
Now that is a sad scene.
This is my first read of Hiromi Kawakami. It was a bit boring at first, which is how I always feel when reading Japanese literature. When I got used to it, I found the scenes full of life. Kawakami charmingly captured the most ordinary moments of everyday life. Since the book only has a small set of characters, with a thrift shop in the backdrop, it felt cozy. They are eccentric in their own way. However, personally, I think the characters are not very interesting. Maybe except for Takeo because of how taciturn he is.
Just when I started wondering what the point of the book is, I was slammed with this: "I felt as though, by falling in love with him, I had hurt him somehow. I hated the thought of that, more than I hated the idea of being hurt myself. Thinking I was making myself out to be such a good person, I had to laugh a little. The rain was torrential."
Now that is a sad scene.