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luckyonesoph's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Very no-plot-just-vibes. Keiko (and her story) make some interesting points about the role of employees under capitalism and societal norms and expectations for women, but the misogyny of one if the main characters made it annoying to read at some parts. But, it was short and fast-paced enough that I read it in one sitting, so I can’t complain.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual violence, Violence, and Rape
violettiaras's review against another edition
funny
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Minor: Stalking, Sexual harassment, Rape, and Sexual assault
francescasoph's review
challenging
reflective
sad
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? Yes
0.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic relationship, Stalking, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Ableism, Rape, and Sexual harassment
0hxneybee's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
This book was good, but nothing spectacular. A very interesting and quick read. The misogyny of Shiraha was so irritating though. It definitely was also a commentary on Japan’s toxic work culture and society’s expectations for their women.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Minor: Rape
thebookpaiges's review
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Racism
Minor: Rape
cturn's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Rape
dosxhime's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm relating too much to Keiko, and that scares me omfggggg.
The prose of this novel is amazing and conveys Keiko's thought process well. I (kinda) understand the reflection the author was getting at and honestly, it gave me a bit of anxiety. In a good way, of course.
The ending made me laugh because wow Keiko can't resist who she is at all.
4/5 B-
The prose of this novel is amazing and conveys Keiko's thought process well. I (kinda) understand the reflection the author was getting at and honestly, it gave me a bit of anxiety. In a good way, of course.
The ending made me laugh because wow Keiko can't resist who she is at all.
4/5 B-
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking, Violence, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
Minor: Rape
timelapse's review
challenging
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75 stars; quite an unsettling examination of societal conformance, sexism, our value and humanity as parts of an ableist and capitalist society told from the perspective of a neurodivergent outcast trying to understand the rules of society.
the story reminded me of the flowers for algernon, where it slowly becomes apparent of how horribly sub-human and alien the main character's peers consider them, all while the said character is utterly unaware.
the book also did a very good job in making apparent that—even though a main character was a literal incel good-for-nothing who hated women—it was the onlookers who outwardly acted friendly towards keiko that were the truly callous ones as they maintained cordial distance from someone "different" and only extended "friendlinesses" and "acceptance" when they thought she had finally become "normal" out their own relief that a such an outcast could be rehabilitated to be palatable.
the story reminded me of the flowers for algernon, where it slowly becomes apparent of how horribly sub-human and alien the main character's peers consider them, all while the said character is utterly unaware.
the book also did a very good job in making apparent that—even though a main character was a literal incel good-for-nothing who hated women—it was the onlookers who outwardly acted friendly towards keiko that were the truly callous ones as they maintained cordial distance from someone "different" and only extended "friendlinesses" and "acceptance" when they thought she had finally become "normal" out their own relief that a such an outcast could be rehabilitated to be palatable.
it really made me think about one of my favorite quotes from iu... (from the love poem album introduction)
even human altruism is based on self-centeredness… i’ve come to realize, that my [altruistic] actions are not entirely out of consideration or to serve as consolation for that person, but out of my own ardent desire to see that person lead a peaceful life instead.
...which you see in a new light said altruism are offered to keiko only after society is convinced and relieved that a neurodivergent person could be rehabilitated to become "normal" and palatable. i think that is most deeply uncomfortable and powerful part of the book—that while these acts of kindness were not wholly well-meaning, the people doing them think that they are. we see this through the contradictory observations that shiraha's sister-in-law who badgered him to pay off his money was a good person who cared, and how shiraha the raging misogynist who cozied up to an impressionable keiko to leech off of her but whose actions actually ended up giving her a semblance of social "normalness" in the way she thought she wanted.
i do think at one point the book's point about the assembly line pressure for assimilating into general society + the way we derive meaning by productivity / usefulness in a capitalistic society became overshadowed by the message on ableism though. which i actually liked.
i will say some of the reviews i saw calling it "quirky" or "hilarious" really leave a bad taste in my mouth. this wasn't an easy or fun read (took me multiple sittings despite how short it was) and was an uncomfortable one, but it did make me think so i think it was worthwhile.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Rape
emjbarnes's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Gaslighting
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Rape
racheltrow_'s review
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape