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sourcucumbers's Reviews (18)
I really tried to like this book and I skimmed ahead and towards the end to read the resolution. I'm sure this book means a lot to other people, but I could not read through it. Partly, I cannot stand the forced social justice activism it was really cringe to read. I could not stand the characters, which sucks because I feel like this book is really character-driven.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What a wonderful and insightful gem of a book. I adore books that position "weird" women as their main characters, there's just not enough written about women who are on the outskirts of what society deems as normal. Keiko's thought processes are really fun and relatable to read through and Murata's insights on how society perceives outcasts have made me laugh and feel upset. It's a really short book, so I recommend a second read-through, as each reread is an enjoyable new reflective period for me.
My one gripe is reading through Shiraha's involvement. Although it was necessary to go through this plot point, he annoyed me to no end and I couldn't stand him. This isn't the fault of the book, but I just feel like annoying characters break me out of the immersion lol
tl;dr: it's an insightful and short read on the perils of capitalism and outcasts.
recommendation: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
tl;dr: it's an insightful and short read on the perils of capitalism and outcasts.
recommendation: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault, Stalking, Sexual harassment
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
This is a really cute and lighthearted book, as one would expect. I think the only resemblance of Princess Diaries is the whole being trying to be a princess ordeal, but that's where the similarities end. I really like Izumi's journey to being more confident, but this book was really predictable. Some of the more emotional scenes fell a little flat for me personally, and I really couldn't connect with her father. Izumi can also be a little annoying but cute nonetheless.
It was a little obvious that Yoshi was the twist villain. It was really hard to read through the "girl drama" "mean girl" part of the book with her twin cousins, because to me personally, I just feel like that trope is overdone and should be thrown away. If it were to be incorporated, I would like to see it in a new light and hope that this is explored more in the upcoming second book. I also wasn't sold on her relationship with Akio because that really came out of thin air for me and would have liked to see it better developed, although, towards the end, the little notes they wrote to each other were kind of cute. I was more invested in her friend group and was a little disappointed that they weren't incorporated into the story more considering she would have never found her father in the first place without them
tl;dr: it was still a good book and a fun read if you have a free weekend.
tl;dr: it was still a good book and a fun read if you have a free weekend.
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A psychological thriller that may need a second read-through to understand. A little bit confusing at times, the pacing felt a bit weird after the first 1/3 of the book, and the ending left me wanting more. Overall, still a good read, and it was pretty short so it can be done in one sitting.
(Tw: suicide) I found the beginning to be really unnecessary for what the story actually is. I think it was great in the sense that it helped me understand that Jake was kind of a jerk I guess, but this could have been accomplished in half the length. I still don't completely understand what was in the basement or the ending of the book. Did Jake kill himself? Was the narrator imagined? I'm going to have to reread, and maybe my opinion/score of this book will change. I'm loathing a reread though, but I'll get around to it someday
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes