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afterttherain's review against another edition
3.0
“With a heart unaccustomed to doubting, he never wondered for an instant whether the girl would brave such a storm to keep their rendezvous. He knew nothing of that melancholy and all-too-effective way of passing time by magnifying and complicating his feelings, whether of happiness or uneasiness, through the exercise of imagination.”
This was a nice comfort book, but it wasn't "extraordinary". It reminds me of ghibli movies, actually - the way the plot goes and the way it's written. It has conflict, but at the same time it's conflict free. It's hard to explain, but it was lovely for a busy week. Not something I would want to read when I want something fast-paced and exciting though. This was just a lot of prose - and you kind of already see where the plot is going as well, so you just focus and appreciate the prose.
This was a nice comfort book, but it wasn't "extraordinary". It reminds me of ghibli movies, actually - the way the plot goes and the way it's written. It has conflict, but at the same time it's conflict free. It's hard to explain, but it was lovely for a busy week. Not something I would want to read when I want something fast-paced and exciting though. This was just a lot of prose - and you kind of already see where the plot is going as well, so you just focus and appreciate the prose.
oxnard_montalvo's review
4.0
Would give four and a half if possible. Half a star missing for the ridiculous descriptions of breasts... but otherwise a lovely book filled with a very gentle, easy pace. I expected tragedy, but it was really refreshing to read about people muddling through their domestic and internal struggles with the quiet conviction that everything will be alright in the end.
Mishima brilliantly captures the sense of the sea as a character, and I was fully there on the island in the midst of it all.
Mishima brilliantly captures the sense of the sea as a character, and I was fully there on the island in the midst of it all.
jimenagarcia's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
asgard224's review against another edition
Can't remember last Japanese novel read which had a happy ending
trianaalonso's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
stolb's review against another edition
4.0
mishima's care for the detail in this one really makes the reader yearn for the sea
sunleung's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A simple, charming, and brisk coming of age love story between a honest, “heart of gold” fisherman (in truth fisher-boy) and a chaste, virginal maiden in a remote, largely unspoiled fishing village of post war Japan. Though the story is rather plain, the route it takes to get there is littered with beautiful writing.
mandalor3960's review against another edition
2.0
A sweet novel and what I consider a conventional romantic novel, unlike what I had expected from Yukio Mishima. I was drawn emotionally to the characters when they were placed in difficult situations. I most admired Shinji's mother, for her love towards her dead husband and her desire to fulfill her duties as a mother, Jukichi for his support and advice towards Shinji, and Hatsue for her descriptions as a beautiful virgin. The ending that was not tragic but a happy ending caught me off guard. While I was initially gleeful of this, I did not like the prospect of Shinji's youthful lustful ways in corrupting Hatsue. I also found it obvious that Terukichi would allow Shinji to marry his daughter in the end, and how convenient he spoke to the lighthouse mistress at the end of the model, explaining his plan all along.
I find it hard to rate this novel, either two or three stars. This novel was not a fast read, especially the scenes with Shinji's brother and the scenes with Yasuo, but the novel is short enough to not fall into long lapses of boredom (looking at you, "Forbidden Colors"). The ending was also disappointing. For now I lean to two stars. I consider this in the upper strata of my two star ratings. This novel is held down from a three star rating because of the ending and the majority of the focus of the novel being on Shinji, when I was more enthralled with certain minor characters. I cannot think of any one star moments.
Notes
Chapter One- Loved the description of the island.
Chapter Three- Predicted that Yasuo was going to hook up with Hatsue.
Chapter Four- Predicted that Shinji would run into Hatsue.
Chapter Five- Cute play and dialogue between Shinji and Hatsue.
Chapter Eight- Liked Shinji's mother for being remorseful of her husband's death but also boastful of her health, profession, and strict obedience to her family duties. I am not a fan of Shinji already trying to have intercourse with Hatsue.
Chapter Ten- Awesome to see Jukichi back up Shinji.
Chapter Eleven- Love Jukichi's support towards Shinji now that the rumors have spread and Hatsue cannot see Shinji. I hope this doesn't turn into a tragic tale because I care for Hatsue, but it would probably be boring if Shinji and Hatsue lived happily ever after.
Chapter Fourteen- I did not like Shinji taking a stab at Yasuo by asking if Yasuo had a photo of Hatsue when Shinji was in possession of one.
I am actually afraid that Shinji might die in reaching the buoy. This seems like the perfect event for Shinji to win Hatsue's father over but something tells me that Mishima has a dark ending planned.
December 27, 2019
Update
It has been hard to accept 2.5 rating of The Sound of Waves, all because of Shinji. His corruption of Hatsue (mentioned in the original review) which occurs in several sections of the novel but most profound in the end, puts a damper on the book. I cheer for the book, root for Shinji at times, but Hatsue's corruption looms over this. This is a definite two star-rating because it is closer to being in between a one star-rating (for my dislike of Shinji) and a three star-rating (for my enjoyment while reading the novel and previously mentioned positive aspects). It is fine for the book type to be listed as 2.5C because the rating shifts between a two star-rating (that takes into account Hatsue's corruption) and a three star-rating (that ignores this and finds that Hatsue's corruption does not take up much of the novel). However, Hatsue's corruption is central to the ending and I tend to put emphasis on endings. Most days I receive The Sound of Waves as a good two star-rated book, and have downplayed the corruption of Hatsue. For now I must ignore the 2.5C book type and focus on this book as received mixed feelings.
I find it hard to rate this novel, either two or three stars. This novel was not a fast read, especially the scenes with Shinji's brother and the scenes with Yasuo, but the novel is short enough to not fall into long lapses of boredom (looking at you, "Forbidden Colors"). The ending was also disappointing. For now I lean to two stars. I consider this in the upper strata of my two star ratings. This novel is held down from a three star rating because of the ending and the majority of the focus of the novel being on Shinji, when I was more enthralled with certain minor characters. I cannot think of any one star moments.
Notes
Chapter One- Loved the description of the island.
Chapter Three- Predicted that Yasuo was going to hook up with Hatsue.
Chapter Four- Predicted that Shinji would run into Hatsue.
Chapter Five- Cute play and dialogue between Shinji and Hatsue.
Chapter Eight- Liked Shinji's mother for being remorseful of her husband's death but also boastful of her health, profession, and strict obedience to her family duties. I am not a fan of Shinji already trying to have intercourse with Hatsue.
Chapter Ten- Awesome to see Jukichi back up Shinji.
Chapter Eleven- Love Jukichi's support towards Shinji now that the rumors have spread and Hatsue cannot see Shinji. I hope this doesn't turn into a tragic tale because I care for Hatsue, but it would probably be boring if Shinji and Hatsue lived happily ever after.
Chapter Fourteen- I did not like Shinji taking a stab at Yasuo by asking if Yasuo had a photo of Hatsue when Shinji was in possession of one.
I am actually afraid that Shinji might die in reaching the buoy. This seems like the perfect event for Shinji to win Hatsue's father over but something tells me that Mishima has a dark ending planned.
December 27, 2019
Update
It has been hard to accept 2.5 rating of The Sound of Waves, all because of Shinji. His corruption of Hatsue (mentioned in the original review) which occurs in several sections of the novel but most profound in the end, puts a damper on the book. I cheer for the book, root for Shinji at times, but Hatsue's corruption looms over this. This is a definite two star-rating because it is closer to being in between a one star-rating (for my dislike of Shinji) and a three star-rating (for my enjoyment while reading the novel and previously mentioned positive aspects). It is fine for the book type to be listed as 2.5C because the rating shifts between a two star-rating (that takes into account Hatsue's corruption) and a three star-rating (that ignores this and finds that Hatsue's corruption does not take up much of the novel). However, Hatsue's corruption is central to the ending and I tend to put emphasis on endings. Most days I receive The Sound of Waves as a good two star-rated book, and have downplayed the corruption of Hatsue. For now I must ignore the 2.5C book type and focus on this book as received mixed feelings.
emilyziegler's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75