Scan barcode
beccaej's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-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
5.0
vasha's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This novel opens in 1897, as its main character, Hana, marries into the Matani family of Wakayama Prefecture. She is moving downstream along the river Ki, as her grandmother insists it is proper for a bride to do. Hana's convictions about her duties are clear: to serve her husband and his family's interests, subsuming herself and leaving her old life, including her grandmother. This she will do with great energy and skill, promoting her husband Keisaku's political career and agricultural projects behind the scenes. But all does not go well with the Matani family, landowners from an old samurai lineage. Times are changing, and furthermore, no male members of the family is able to be a fit successor to Keisaku.
But gradually, another pattern emerges in Hana's life, one that was not part of her traditional values. She sees her grandmother's spirit in her rebellious daughter Fumio, and her granddaughter Hanako, in turn, feels a connection to her. There is a whole line of strong-willed women, and even though the way they live changes so much that Hana's aesthetics, manners, and values seem quite foreign to the younger generation, still there is a connection. During the disastrous period of WWII, Fumio points out, people turned to their mothers' families for support, and says that matrilineal families are natural. Indeed, the matriline is surviving quite well at the end of the novel, after the total downfall of the patrilineal Matani family.
The final page returns to the metaphor of the river Ki: Hanako notices that it remains green as it flows downstream, like the continuity of the women who've married downstream along it, and that it merges into a vast and changing ocean, like the wide-open possibilities in front of Hanako in an unfamiliar postwar world.
But gradually, another pattern emerges in Hana's life, one that was not part of her traditional values. She sees her grandmother's spirit in her rebellious daughter Fumio, and her granddaughter Hanako, in turn, feels a connection to her. There is a whole line of strong-willed women, and even though the way they live changes so much that Hana's aesthetics, manners, and values seem quite foreign to the younger generation, still there is a connection. During the disastrous period of WWII, Fumio points out, people turned to their mothers' families for support, and says that matrilineal families are natural. Indeed, the matriline is surviving quite well at the end of the novel, after the total downfall of the patrilineal Matani family.
The final page returns to the metaphor of the river Ki: Hanako notices that it remains green as it flows downstream, like the continuity of the women who've married downstream along it, and that it merges into a vast and changing ocean, like the wide-open possibilities in front of Hanako in an unfamiliar postwar world.
mainamorand's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
indi72547's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.0
celinemoos's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bookish_wanderer's review against another edition
4.0
I read this novel for #januaryinjapan (Instagram), and really enjoyed it.
It follows the lives of three generations of women, although we mostly see through the eyes of Hana who, at the start of the novel, is being sent on a voyage down the River Ki by her grandmother, to wed and join the Matani family.
Through her life and that of her growing family, we learn about Japanese history, family traditions, and the evolving role of women in society. We witness Western influence on traditional Japan, and its modernisation throughout the 20th century, with conflict as an almost constant backdrop.
We see the clash of two generations of women, Hana's and her daughter Fumio's, one trying to preserve the traditions she grew up with, and the other yearning for freedom and modern life. An internal conflict only apeased by a third generation, and a more understanding grand-daughter who brings the story into a full circle.
A great read if you're interested in Japan and its traditions. Reading about them, definitely showed me how much its changed in so little time and was a good starting point to try and understand some of the challenges it faces today.
The only reason I didn't gave it 5 stars is because I felt like the translation was sometimes lacking. Some of the sentences felt odd and there were quite a few mispellings.
It follows the lives of three generations of women, although we mostly see through the eyes of Hana who, at the start of the novel, is being sent on a voyage down the River Ki by her grandmother, to wed and join the Matani family.
Through her life and that of her growing family, we learn about Japanese history, family traditions, and the evolving role of women in society. We witness Western influence on traditional Japan, and its modernisation throughout the 20th century, with conflict as an almost constant backdrop.
We see the clash of two generations of women, Hana's and her daughter Fumio's, one trying to preserve the traditions she grew up with, and the other yearning for freedom and modern life. An internal conflict only apeased by a third generation, and a more understanding grand-daughter who brings the story into a full circle.
A great read if you're interested in Japan and its traditions. Reading about them, definitely showed me how much its changed in so little time and was a good starting point to try and understand some of the challenges it faces today.
The only reason I didn't gave it 5 stars is because I felt like the translation was sometimes lacking. Some of the sentences felt odd and there were quite a few mispellings.
jureader's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
bookwormbarney's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
lovelemons's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25