Take a photo of a barcode or cover
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book. While an incredibly interesting reflection of modernism *cough Westernization cough* in post-war Japan and Japan’s ultimate identity crisis at its loss of culture in the race for more Western elements, the characters were almost unbearable. The surface story, while humorous at times, almost couldn’t save the captivating underlying themes. That being said, there was something about the discomfort in every interaction between the two main characters and the male protagonist’s deterioration at the hands of Naomi, or western culture, that was undeniably eye-opening. I’m conflicted. An important read for those interested in the identity crisis of post-war Japan, but any unfamiliar or uninterested with the topic of “modernism” will likely cringe through the story.