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xna987's review against another edition
2.0
Despite the plot summary being promising, this novel was quite disappointing and, personally, failed to deliver.
The novel is comprised of a series of chapters which are actually seperate short stories based around the memories of the book's narrator. To me, these chapters were disjointed and repetetive. There were many poignant scenes and the young marriage of the narrator was interesting but I felt as if they all built up to nothing and the final chapter's twist did nothing to impact the overall plot (to me).
Ultimately I enjoyed delving further into Japanese literature after sticking to writers such as Haruki Murakami and Banana Yoshimoto, but I felt Shame in the Blood did not really live up to the hype.
The novel is comprised of a series of chapters which are actually seperate short stories based around the memories of the book's narrator. To me, these chapters were disjointed and repetetive. There were many poignant scenes and the young marriage of the narrator was interesting but I felt as if they all built up to nothing and the final chapter's twist did nothing to impact the overall plot (to me).
Ultimately I enjoyed delving further into Japanese literature after sticking to writers such as Haruki Murakami and Banana Yoshimoto, but I felt Shame in the Blood did not really live up to the hype.
amb3rlina's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the first half better than the second. I feel like I was rushing it and didn't really take it all in. Fine little novel. Device of overlapping stories was a bit odd.
diwataluna's review against another edition
3.0
In general, I love Japanese writers. Maybe I was expecting another Murakami or Ishiguro. It was not as moving or as touching as I thought it would be. I expected much especially since the blurb said it was the most popular contemporary love story when it was published. There's no specific reason I didn't love it. I do love the book cover!
trulybooked's review against another edition
3.0
I loved it at the beginning, but whatever charms the book had began to eke away the further I got into the book. Miura has a wonderful way of describing the world around his characters, but as the mystery was solved I found myself noticing the characters more and more. I started realizing that I didn't really like them which became more problematic as the stories continued.
sofiazee's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicide, Death, Child death, Death of parent, and Rape
Minor: Abandonment, Abortion, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and War
_mallc_'s review against another edition
3.0
An interesting story although the addition of a short story about a different family at the end confused me a bit. There was something about the whole thing that seemed quite ordinary even though the story had many unusual elements. I liked it, although the narrator sometimes really made me mad.
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