Scan barcode
achillesheeled's review against another edition
3.0
But that's the trick, you see? The trick that makes eveything survivable. You've got to love somebody
3.5
this was prettily written but i think lacked some sort of substance that kept me from 100% falling in love with it. i enjoyed the retelling of the folktale and thought it was done in a unique way, but it wasnt groundbreaking or anything
3.5
this was prettily written but i think lacked some sort of substance that kept me from 100% falling in love with it. i enjoyed the retelling of the folktale and thought it was done in a unique way, but it wasnt groundbreaking or anything
rozerin_bozkurt's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ladybaela's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not quite sure what to say about this book.
It has a beautiful and poetic prose but it is one of the most surreal books I've ever read.
The Crane Wife is a very different read to Mr. Ness's other works but I'm glad that I experienced it as I love his Chaos Walking trilogy.
As for the characters, well I liked George and Kumiko, but I didn't really like Amanda at all. This is partly due to her views on animals in war.
I would recommended this to fans of Patrick Ness and those who enjoy an unusual tale.
It has a beautiful and poetic prose but it is one of the most surreal books I've ever read.
The Crane Wife is a very different read to Mr. Ness's other works but I'm glad that I experienced it as I love his Chaos Walking trilogy.
As for the characters, well I liked George and Kumiko, but I didn't really like Amanda at all. This is partly due to her views on animals in war.
I would recommended this to fans of Patrick Ness and those who enjoy an unusual tale.
kat7890erina's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
If you've read Ness's YA novel Release, you will understand the vibe of The Crane Wife almost immediately. A mythology (largely) of Ness's own making threads itself into the ordinary lives of ordinary people whose very real emotional experiences are laid heartbreakingly bare for our desperate consumption. Beautiful prose. Existential messages.
If you've read Ness's YA novel Release, you will understand the vibe of The Crane Wife almost immediately. A mythology (largely) of Ness's own making threads itself into the ordinary lives of ordinary people whose very real emotional experiences are laid heartbreakingly bare for our desperate consumption. Beautiful prose. Existential messages.
adeelif's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.75
jenhurst's review against another edition
2.0
I really like Patrick Ness and how different all of his novels are. If you don’t like one there’s a good chance you’ll like another. This is one that unfortunately did not work for me. His writing was as good as always but literary fiction does not really work for me usually. This is one example of this. I liked the retelling aspect of a Japanese folktale and it felt very fresh. But it felt very on the nose and I was just left feeling what was the point of all of this? I’ve read enough about the friend zone and “nice guys” and this didn’t add anything to the conversation for me.
I’m sure that some people will like this, especially if they like literary fiction but it just didn’t work for me.
I’m sure that some people will like this, especially if they like literary fiction but it just didn’t work for me.
sam_hartwig's review against another edition
2.0
Not sure what to think of this at the moment. Beautiful writing as per usual to Patrick Ness but the story and characters didn't do anything for me...
klparmley's review against another edition
4.0
The first chapter looked like fantasy. Then, it was straight fiction for a long time. A sweet love story. Then, it changed and the ending was sad and OK. It made me want to buy scissors and paper.
katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I adored Chaos Walking, More Than a This, A Monster Calls so it was interested in Ness's adult work.
I found the story interesting but didn't warm to the crane story that Kumiko tells. George sees and saves a white crane one night in his garden and next day an enigmatic woman, Kumiko, enters his store. She is an artist and soon the two are working together and falling in love. George's daughter Amanda isn't sure how he feels about this. Possibly because of issues in her own life - divorced, single mother to JP, she has problems at work and hasn't met the women her dad is moving in with.
Their stories are good, you want to know what will happen to them all. I just didn't enjoy the crane wife story. I was reminded of The Snow Child which is also based on folk stories and which I also had mixed feelings about.
It's beautiful at times and sad. But I definitely prefer his Chaos Walking books.
I adored Chaos Walking, More Than a This, A Monster Calls so it was interested in Ness's adult work.
I found the story interesting but didn't warm to the crane story that Kumiko tells. George sees and saves a white crane one night in his garden and next day an enigmatic woman, Kumiko, enters his store. She is an artist and soon the two are working together and falling in love. George's daughter Amanda isn't sure how he feels about this. Possibly because of issues in her own life - divorced, single mother to JP, she has problems at work and hasn't met the women her dad is moving in with.
Their stories are good, you want to know what will happen to them all. I just didn't enjoy the crane wife story. I was reminded of The Snow Child which is also based on folk stories and which I also had mixed feelings about.
It's beautiful at times and sad. But I definitely prefer his Chaos Walking books.
categj's review
4.0
The Crane Wife is an intriguing tale. Both a love story and folklore, this novel is ethereal and otherworldly, yet familiar and comfortable. The characters are likeable: George the lonely printer; his prickly daughter, Amanda; Mehmet, George's assistant and aspiring actor; and Kumiko, the mysterious artist who captures George's heart.
The novel is reminiscent of a Japanese folk tale about an injured crane that is rescued by a poor, lonely man. He nurses the crane back to health. Soon after the man releases her, a beautiful woman appears on his doorstep, they fall in love and marry.
Ness pens this beautiful, heartbreaking story, weaving magic and mythology into a modern-day tale of love, family and belonging. With vivid imagery, the novel unfolds on two planes. One in the present day, where George and Kumiko find love and fame, and Amanda slowly learns to love and accept herself — to the other, the underlying retelling of the Crane Wife's story.
Lovely, hauntingly beautiful and sad — this book charms and captivates.
The novel is reminiscent of a Japanese folk tale about an injured crane that is rescued by a poor, lonely man. He nurses the crane back to health. Soon after the man releases her, a beautiful woman appears on his doorstep, they fall in love and marry.
Ness pens this beautiful, heartbreaking story, weaving magic and mythology into a modern-day tale of love, family and belonging. With vivid imagery, the novel unfolds on two planes. One in the present day, where George and Kumiko find love and fame, and Amanda slowly learns to love and accept herself — to the other, the underlying retelling of the Crane Wife's story.
Lovely, hauntingly beautiful and sad — this book charms and captivates.