bellyberrypie's reviews
14 reviews

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

This is probably the only Haruki Murakami book that I read and finished so far. I read this back when I was a struggling depressed college student and I remember liking the book despite all its faults. I am not sure if I will have the same opinion now but I have never actually been a fan of any Haruki Murakami's works so if you are this probably isn't the review for you. 

I remember hating a lot of the characters and thinking they were either very bland, one dimensional or annoying with no purpose. I remember liking the atmosphere the book gave out, maybe that was what I related to at that time. I also remember not liking when the focus shifted mid-way to his love life but not enough to hate it or stop reading the book... Maybe because it was obvious that it would? I am not so sure, I have forgotten. 

No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Unpopular opinion but even though the main character is suffering from mental illness he is still such an awful human being that when I was reading this rather than feeling sympathy for him I just hated him. 

Normally I am more lenient with my reviews because I can acknowledge that something is a good story or narrative despite character flaws, sometimes its the reason why the story or narrative works in the first place... However when I was reading I just can't help that a lot of things and personality on why I hated the main character is a self insert. My cousin also read another book Dazai wrote about a highschool girl and her comment was "Everytime I read this I can only picture Osamu Dazai crossdressing as a highschool girl" which further my thought process of "Osamu Dazai cannot write characters he can only self insert". I could be wrong but it just made me hate Osamu Dazai more... Yes, this is a hate review. Yes, I am a hater. I hate Osamu Dazai.

Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa

inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

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

4.25

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This isn't the best literary piece ever, obviously... but it is just such a fun and entertaining read to the point that I know I will reread this even if I still remember every single detail in the book. 

I love all the characters. My favorite is Constance, she is so cute and funny. There is also a lot of character development in this book which is such a pleasant surprise for me. Honestly I know that you shouldn't underestimate children's books but I didn't expect to explore emotions and self reflections to that extent. I would have been satisfied with just a bunch of spy kids doing spy business with a bunch of comedy jammed in but I am glad this book went beyond that. 

Even though I gave this book a 5, it was mostly due to how I personally love and enjoy it, this book still has a lot of faults that I think people might not like or be a deal breaker for them. Although a lot of these reasons could be excused that it is because it is a children's book and they are doing it to appeal to kids or slowly let the children understand, which is not really a bad thing. They are after all, the target demographic.