Reviews

The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yōko Ogawa

jenmangler's review against another edition

4.0

Lovely. That's the word that pops into my mind when I think of this beautiful story of friendship. This is yet another book that makes me glad I'm in a book club. I would never have found this book on my own, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. If you're looking for a book that will leave you feeling peaceful and utterly contented, you'll love The Housekeeper and the Professor.

the_red_one's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

sarahboudereads's review against another edition

4.0

4.5/5

Yoko Ogawa is one of my favourite authors of all time and yet it took me a few years to pick this one up. I was afraid that all the math talk would bore me - and if it did a little, this book is so much more than that.

With an easiness and a simplicity that is very hers, Ogawa weaves a tale about three wonderful characters and how the mundane affects every aspects of their lives together. It was so tender and comforting, if a little sad.

Highly recommend for lovers of quiet, slow stories.

somehowcoping's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

snowman_reads's review against another edition

5.0

I never knew math could be so interesting and this book is so warm and heart breaking at the same time

annaswanangel'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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

julijavaic's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

jules_vp's review against another edition

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

readiz's review against another edition

4.0

Rounded from a 3.5, primarily because the final pages made me cry.

If this had been a longer book I think I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much, especially as I found the sections on baseball dull.

nikireadss's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing sad 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? Yes

5.0

This book felt like a summer breeze. I loved all the characters. It's so wonderfully written; there is something about Japanese literature that makes everything feel like a poem and so did this book. Life is about treasuring small moments. Sometimes the small moments are mathematics and baseball. These topics don't really sound too interesting to me at first but this little story made me so invested and made me realize how beautiful mathematics can be. Friendship can come in so many forms and shapes. I love the non-standard relationships portrayed in this book. How can you befriend someone who won't remember you after 80 minutes? Such a warm book with a heartwarming ending.