Reviews

Some Prefer Nettles by Yrjö Kivimies, Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, Edward G. Seidensticker

anaccfarinha's review against another edition

4.0

4

sophia_a_a's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars!!

i think the story was really interesting, but felt like it was missing something
i really enjoyed it and want to read more from junichiro tanizaki <3

josh_keane's review against another edition

informative mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

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

5.0

cindy23170704's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

karinlib's review against another edition

4.0

Recently I read [b:The Makioka Sisters|34449|The Makioka Sisters|Jun'ichirō Tanizaki|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1514374792s/34449.jpg|841208] by the same author, and loved it. I enjoyed this short novel as well. I really like Tanizaki's descriptions of Japan, the people, their clothing, the theater (in this case puppet shows), and the cherry blossoms

parwaaz's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.25

reubenlb's review against another edition

challenging reflective slow-paced

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

2.0

classic tanizaki (now with puppets) - “i hate the west (but it’s my secret fetish), i love japan (but isn’t it dirty), and all women are whores”

plnodwyer's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.0

junishot's review against another edition

5.0

Excellent slice-of-life story with a very modern dilemma for the characters despite the 1920s setting. To the extent that the translation accurately mirrors the author’s true style, I loved the crystal clear and incisive prose.

kidclamp's review against another edition

3.0

the introduction to the edition i read gave a pretty good frame fir my reading. it described how Tanizaki admired the old Japanese form of writing in which everything was left ambiguous and very little was given to the reader. he certainly achieved that form in this novel.

the story is of a couple living in a loveless marriage, having come to certain arrangements to get by, and a plan to free them selves, but neither willing to act to move forward. their relationship illustrates the clash of traditional and modern Japan.

I did enjoy the writing, while not lush with detail, it does paint a picture and convert emotion well. the story, unfortunately, left me a bit flat. while it perhaps displayed an accurate picture of a stagnant relationship, there was very little to draw me in or make me care very much about the characters.

i would give Tanizaki another chance, but i wouldn't recommend this as one to read