Scan barcode
rionstorm's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
A really nice, gentle little book. Really captures the feeling of being a child who doesn't quite fit in and who has very big feelings about the world around them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness
Minor: Bullying, Body shaming, and Death
liliana92's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a cute short book where we get to enter the mind of a child and see life with some naivety and simplicity. I was expecting it to be a bit deeper.
It was enjoyable enough, as I am a fan of slice of life style books, but I wanted a little more.
It was enjoyable enough, as I am a fan of slice of life style books, but I wanted a little more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
murderousscottishgremlin's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I love Kawakami’s writing so much. An interesting little novella.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
trashpossum's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
caroisreading's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I'm reading all translated Mieko Kawakami books, and this was the one I was most apprehensive about. I haven't read from the POV of a child before (with adult context), and have only known Mieko as an author of adult women's perspectives. Of course, that theme still came up, and I was happily surprised by this gentle, short and sweet story.
Our narrator is a fourth-grade boy who is fascinated by the woman who sells sandwiches at the grocery, described mostly by her electric blue eyelids. From his perspective, she is beautiful, silent, and perfect in how she packages sandwiches. This portrait shatters as he hears, unwillingly, the opinions of others about her looks, how monstrous she is. But in his innocence, he holds tightly to his fascination with her, drawing her obsessively.
It was heartbreaking thinking of how our loveliness as women, our beauty and Identity, becomes so twisted by society. I took this young boy's awe as a reminder to us that someone still sees us, and holds us in that light.
You'll enjoy this is you love themes about women, childhood, Japanese fiction, and want a quick but substantial read.
Our narrator is a fourth-grade boy who is fascinated by the woman who sells sandwiches at the grocery, described mostly by her electric blue eyelids. From his perspective, she is beautiful, silent, and perfect in how she packages sandwiches. This portrait shatters as he hears, unwillingly, the opinions of others about her looks, how monstrous she is. But in his innocence, he holds tightly to his fascination with her, drawing her obsessively.
It was heartbreaking thinking of how our loveliness as women, our beauty and Identity, becomes so twisted by society. I took this young boy's awe as a reminder to us that someone still sees us, and holds us in that light.
You'll enjoy this is you love themes about women, childhood, Japanese fiction, and want a quick but substantial read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Death of parent, and Death
alexandrabelze's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
this was an adorable read! writing from a child’s perspective can be difficult, but kawakami nailed it! she captured the cultural learning process of being a child so well. i loved how light this novel was compared to her others. this felt like a breath of fresh air.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Death
sissizc's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
khakipantsofsex's review against another edition
reflective
sad
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
mikkiokko's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I feel so cozy and my heart has been greatly warmed! I've never quite understood the appeal of a book that deals with the mundane, but this book made me understand that completely. I loved the simplicity and felt really immersed. The narration was also amazing! It really felt like a fourth grader boy was narrating and his nervousness was something I could absolutely relate to when I was his age. This healed my younger self. LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
axel_p's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, and Grief