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addyruth17's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Terminal illness
Minor: Sexism, Infidelity, and Medical content
sakisreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I have often picked this book up in a bookshop and pondered over it, so when it was in my library I knew I had to give it a go! The Penguin cloth bound editions are also aesthetically pleasing, so I had to try it 😂
I’m afraid this book was not for me though. The first 50% was exciting and I was always curious as to where Shimamura and Yoko would take their relationship, but after that 50% I was disappointed. I find that often with classic writing, so maybe I need to move onto contemporary writing instead.
I am still giving it 2.5 out of 5 stars, because there were moments of good energy and excitement ✨ Thank you!
Content warnings included below 🥲
I’m afraid this book was not for me though. The first 50% was exciting and I was always curious as to where Shimamura and Yoko would take their relationship, but after that 50% I was disappointed. I find that often with classic writing, so maybe I need to move onto contemporary writing instead.
I am still giving it 2.5 out of 5 stars, because there were moments of good energy and excitement ✨ Thank you!
Content warnings included below 🥲
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Death
yasaman's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, Death, and Alcohol
kinddog2073's review
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic relationship
caribbeangirlreading's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Never has such a beautifully written novel left such a bad taste in my mouth. Sorry, but this is not the story of a doomed romance. This is a male POV romanticized telling of the “relationship” between a middle-aged man with internalized misogyny and a 19-year-old indentured sex worker full of shame and self-hatred, and completely lacking in agency in her life.
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐ (Four for the prose, two for the toxic story)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Death and Fire/Fire injury
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