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libbysbookshelf 's review for:
Fault Lines
by Emily Itami
FAULT LINES by EMILY ITAMI
On the surface, this Japanese housewife, Mizuki, has it all. Gorgeous, hardworking husband, two beautiful children and a Tokyo apartment. But why does she feel like throwing herself off her balcony? Granted, it’s only a fleeting thought, and I wouldn’t say that depression or suicide are themes of this book, but the thought is there and it demonstrates Mizuki’s desperation and her dark, sarcastic humour, inflicting a hilarious use of British swear words. I loved the juxtaposition of the Japanese setting and the use of words like ‘twat’. I think it gave the book and the character a heart. Anyway, the novel explores this character from first person perspective and from past to present. And it is in the present day that she meets a man. A man who is kind and funny and laughs with her and pays her attention. The opposite of her husband.
Painfully aware of expectations of her Japanese culture, Mizuki never neglects her motherly or wifely duties, and she speaks about her children with a brutal honesty; she loves them but they are often brats!
I think the thing that worried me at the beginning of the novel is actually what I came to love about it. And that was the slightly unpolished writing. As the novel progressed I realised it was intentional and it matched the chaotic character perfectly.
The little love story gave me little chills and the comedy had me smirking as I read (I won’t lie to you and say I was laughing out loud because who really does that? No, seriously, do you laugh out loud when you’re reading a book? - actually, maybe I have on occasion…). Where was I? I was wrapping up this review - well done if you made it this far!
This book is good. I enjoyed reading it. Japanese literature with a sprinkling of British swear words.
#book #emilyitami #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookstagramuk #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookreadersofinstagram #faultlines #japaneseliterature
On the surface, this Japanese housewife, Mizuki, has it all. Gorgeous, hardworking husband, two beautiful children and a Tokyo apartment. But why does she feel like throwing herself off her balcony? Granted, it’s only a fleeting thought, and I wouldn’t say that depression or suicide are themes of this book, but the thought is there and it demonstrates Mizuki’s desperation and her dark, sarcastic humour, inflicting a hilarious use of British swear words. I loved the juxtaposition of the Japanese setting and the use of words like ‘twat’. I think it gave the book and the character a heart. Anyway, the novel explores this character from first person perspective and from past to present. And it is in the present day that she meets a man. A man who is kind and funny and laughs with her and pays her attention. The opposite of her husband.
Painfully aware of expectations of her Japanese culture, Mizuki never neglects her motherly or wifely duties, and she speaks about her children with a brutal honesty; she loves them but they are often brats!
I think the thing that worried me at the beginning of the novel is actually what I came to love about it. And that was the slightly unpolished writing. As the novel progressed I realised it was intentional and it matched the chaotic character perfectly.
The little love story gave me little chills and the comedy had me smirking as I read (I won’t lie to you and say I was laughing out loud because who really does that? No, seriously, do you laugh out loud when you’re reading a book? - actually, maybe I have on occasion…). Where was I? I was wrapping up this review - well done if you made it this far!
This book is good. I enjoyed reading it. Japanese literature with a sprinkling of British swear words.
#book #emilyitami #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookstagramuk #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookreadersofinstagram #faultlines #japaneseliterature