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charlottekook's review against another edition
3.0
a really intriguing work which had an excellent lack of cliches - on reading the premise that it followed a country boy coming to study in tokyo i thought it might be a typical story but it really wasn't. very unique, fleshed out characters whose actions were idiosyncratic but not predictable. i'm trying to read more works in translation/international literature this year and i'm glad i chose this. it definitely feels like a classic and, although i didn't absolutely love it, i thought it was an extremely accomplished work and i'm glad i found it.
there are some arresting lines in this, the section where mineko is having her portrait painted is particularly excellent. it feels very subtle at times and i'm sure there are more recurring images than i picked up on, though i did like the parallel of mineko and the woman from the train at the beginning and the "stray sheep" metaphor.
there are some arresting lines in this, the section where mineko is having her portrait painted is particularly excellent. it feels very subtle at times and i'm sure there are more recurring images than i picked up on, though i did like the parallel of mineko and the woman from the train at the beginning and the "stray sheep" metaphor.
yellagal57's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
marinarm's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
samyukta_24's review against another edition
5.0
It's a sweet and simple coming-of-age story of a young country boy, Sanshiro, who goes to study in a big university in Tokyo.
The book was too short for any detailed character descriptions or developments, but they all felt like real people, people I might actually encounter.
It was very funny in some parts but it was essentially a 'young love' story mixed with some light philosophy and larger than life, crazy characters -I am looking at you, Yojiro
The book was too short for any detailed character descriptions or developments, but they all felt like real people, people I might actually encounter.
It was very funny in some parts but it was essentially a 'young love' story mixed with some light philosophy and larger than life, crazy characters -I am looking at you, Yojiro
briancrandall's review against another edition
4.0
When she was done, Mineko dropped the broom on the floor mats and went to the rear window, where she stood looking out. Sanshirō was soon finished with his wiping. He plopped the damp rags into the bucket and joined Mineko at the window.
"What are you looking at?"
"Guess."
"The chickens?"
"No."
"That big tree?"
"No."
"I don't know, then. What?"
"I've been watching those white clouds."
He saw what she meant. White clouds were moving across the broad sky. They sailed steadily onward like thick, shining wads of cotton against the endlessly clear blue. The wind appeared to be blowing with tremendous force. It tore at the ends of the clouds until they were thin enough for the blue background to show through. Sometimes they would become frayed in clumps, and form bunches of soft, white needles. [73]
jamesdanielhorn's review against another edition
5.0
A Japanese classic to be sure, Sanshirō is a delightful coming of age novel balanced with themes tradition vs modernity. For a book as old as this it manages to feel very modern, which in a way creates its own harmony with the theme.
There is something very relatable about our protagonist Sanshirō here, his wide-eyed innocence disintegrating before our eyes. The book is rife with symbolism from the food they eat to the happenstances Sanshirō describes as he goes from place to place. The book’s melancholy tone is usurped just enough to not be too much of a downer.
There are absolutely beautiful passages and while we credit these to Sōseki, we must also credit Jay Rubin for the translation.
This is an absolute essential for someone diving into turn of the century Japanese literature, not just for it’s depictions of life at that time, but for it’s depth and comments on those changes. Strongly recommended.
There is something very relatable about our protagonist Sanshirō here, his wide-eyed innocence disintegrating before our eyes. The book is rife with symbolism from the food they eat to the happenstances Sanshirō describes as he goes from place to place. The book’s melancholy tone is usurped just enough to not be too much of a downer.
There are absolutely beautiful passages and while we credit these to Sōseki, we must also credit Jay Rubin for the translation.
This is an absolute essential for someone diving into turn of the century Japanese literature, not just for it’s depictions of life at that time, but for it’s depth and comments on those changes. Strongly recommended.
iphios's review against another edition
4.0
This book read focuses on Sanshiro---his own observation of Tokyo life and his own awkward struggle to mingle among its people. It isn't necessarily a page turner, but it is a wonderful observation and commentary in a life between east and west.
It is beautiful and meandering, but at the same time very sharp in its observation of human beings and human interaction
It is beautiful and meandering, but at the same time very sharp in its observation of human beings and human interaction
tsharris's review against another edition
4.0
Probably the most readable Soseki novel I've read. At once an excellent campus novel and a portrait of life in late Meiji Tokyo, though the eponymous protagonist is infuriatingly passive (no wonder Murakami Haruki likes this novel enough to have contributed an introduction to this edition).
tenar's review against another edition
funny
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Child death, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Alcohol, and Ableism