Review by boop123 - Moshi Moshi

boop123 's review for:

Moshi Moshi by Banana Yoshimoto

3.0

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

A character-driven story that tackles subjects of independence, grief, complex familial relationships, finding one's footing after losing a loved one, and the value of cherishing those still living.

I particularly appreciated the mother-daughter relationship as they both grieved Imo's passing in different ways. While Yoshie saw him as a loving father who simply tried his best for his daughter, it doesn't change the fact that he died in a murder-suicide incident with a woman he was romantically involved with. This wholly altered Yoshie's mother's perception of him. I found these contrasting viewpoints intriguing as they highlighted the intricacies of grief, especially when someone dies unexpectedly.

However, I didn’t like the men that Yoshie was getting herself involved with. I don’t know if that’s her coping mechanism but I certainly didn’t like the fact that she was getting with a man who knew her since she was young 💀 I found that plotline very unnecessary.

Overall, it was an okay read, though I feel there are better books out there that explore these themes.

Content Warnings