A review by whoischels
An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro

emotional informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I'll admit I struggled to get through this book. It is dense, and so focused on feelings that it doesn't feel like a lot happens. That said, by the end of it, I think it's a really valid speculation and meditation on the types of emotions the Japanese were going through after World War II, which is something I haven't put much thought to. I have never consumed a piece of media that made the nuances of that time in history so real. There is so much in this text. It's a really thoughtful examination of the main character's relationship to Japan and his body of work (painting), his micro-relationship to his family and himself, and the relationship between these relationships. It's fascinating to see him slowly tell us about his conflicted feelings on how his paintings encouraged an imperialist war effort. The story seems to be faithful to the progression of feelings. For example,

I was very taken aback by the reveal that his daughter has either a) forgotten her insinuations that his questionable career is impacting her younger sister's marriage prospects or b) the implication was all in Ono Masuji's head. That seems realistic to these type of family interactions, particularly with the formality of mid-century Japanese family life. This emotionally charged, but polite interaction, is a logical climax to the story.