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A review by lauren_miller
The Nakano Thrift Shop by Hiromi Kawakami
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This is definitely one of my favorite translated works I've read in a while! There's something about Japanese literature in particular that is so hit and miss for me, so I'm glad this one worked.
I found Hitomi easy to relate to, the setting intriguing [I suddenly have the urge to go antiquing lol], and the languid plot a treat; the use of vignettes provided an elastic, timeless reading experience that I enjoyed. Also, the discussions of attraction and love were really engaging to me. The ending was much happier than I anticipated, and a bit surprising—just as Hitomi experienced, Takeo really did seem like a completely different person, which I'm not sure I loved—but rather than feeling cliché, it felt settled, like it was the natural progression of things.
This is a super accessible read for anyone interested in Japanese lit and I definitely recommend!
4.25 out of 5 stars, ★★★★☆
I found Hitomi easy to relate to, the setting intriguing [I suddenly have the urge to go antiquing lol], and the languid plot a treat; the use of vignettes provided an elastic, timeless reading experience that I enjoyed. Also, the discussions of attraction and love were really engaging to me. The ending was much happier than I anticipated, and a bit surprising—just as Hitomi experienced, Takeo really did seem like a completely different person, which I'm not sure I loved—but rather than feeling cliché, it felt settled, like it was the natural progression of things.
This is a super accessible read for anyone interested in Japanese lit and I definitely recommend!
4.25 out of 5 stars, ★★★★☆