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reading_ali's review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was…. an experience to read. This is very literally about a man grooming a child, making her marry him, and then ending up with her in control since he has no backbone. However of course he still gets what he wants, its just hidden behind a wall of pathetic-ness.
First, the complexity of Naomi and Joji’s relationship is fascinating. The way it is built and developed, how many facets there are to Joji’s love. He adores her like a parent loves a child, he veneers her like she is his goddes, his religion; but most importantly he loves her like a lover, as man does his wife.
I also found fascinating reading the intense unlikeability of these two characters. She is cruel, obnoxious and demanding. He is pathetic to tbe extreme, unable to stand up for himself, or even change. Throughout the entire book he keeps on making the same mistakes, falling into her trap. He cant say no to her, even when he wants her to be his traditional wife, he cant come up with a way to make her stay with him, even thought it would be so easy, since he has the upper hand, having all the financial power.
He manages of course to be mysogynistic even being completely in love with her. Shes an object for him to fawn over, a “treasure” to bring up to be a lady of society.
I guess the tables really turned from the beggining of the book till the end, where he is obliged to give her all just to keep himself near her. I am fascinated by the fact that he never forced himself upon her, since it would be rather easy, considering thats what men have always done. I guess for the sake of a problematique between the two, the author made Joji weak, naive and uncorrupted, this way Joji could never become like Naomi, even after suffering so much.
In the end, I was surprised he didnt have any character development, but I guess it leaves me with more of a shock, rather had he left Naomi completely from his life.
The book was easy to read, at times crazy (Joji has a foot fetish) but an interesting exploration of the hazy area of love and craziness. I found it interesting to read about the ways Naomi grew, how she schemed and changed her look.
Oh the Western obsession was also interesting to read about. How bizarre. I still wonder how did Naomi manage to look like a westerner in the end.
In the end they ended up rich and in the western clique anyway, uff .
I found myself a lot of the time angry with Naomi and desperate for Joji to do somethign, anything to make things the way he wants, since its his house. But then I think, let the girl do what she wants, how historically rare. And yet Naomi’s cruelty is annoying. However, even with thsi, I think its good they ended up as they are. He is very much a pedophile and expected a quiet wife when raising Naomi, serves him right that she became who she is. Even if not fair to Naomi, it is perhaps karma that gave her everything she wanted and him, just enough not to tip over the edge.
First, the complexity of Naomi and Joji’s relationship is fascinating. The way it is built and developed, how many facets there are to Joji’s love. He adores her like a parent loves a child, he veneers her like she is his goddes, his religion; but most importantly he loves her like a lover, as man does his wife.
I also found fascinating reading the intense unlikeability of these two characters. She is cruel, obnoxious and demanding. He is pathetic to tbe extreme, unable to stand up for himself, or even change. Throughout the entire book he keeps on making the same mistakes, falling into her trap. He cant say no to her, even when he wants her to be his traditional wife, he cant come up with a way to make her stay with him, even thought it would be so easy, since he has the upper hand, having all the financial power.
He manages of course to be mysogynistic even being completely in love with her. Shes an object for him to fawn over, a “treasure” to bring up to be a lady of society.
I guess the tables really turned from the beggining of the book till the end, where he is obliged to give her all just to keep himself near her. I am fascinated by the fact that he never forced himself upon her, since it would be rather easy, considering thats what men have always done. I guess for the sake of a problematique between the two, the author made Joji weak, naive and uncorrupted, this way Joji could never become like Naomi, even after suffering so much.
In the end, I was surprised he didnt have any character development, but I guess it leaves me with more of a shock, rather had he left Naomi completely from his life.
The book was easy to read, at times crazy (Joji has a foot fetish) but an interesting exploration of the hazy area of love and craziness. I found it interesting to read about the ways Naomi grew, how she schemed and changed her look.
Oh the Western obsession was also interesting to read about. How bizarre. I still wonder how did Naomi manage to look like a westerner in the end.
In the end they ended up rich and in the western clique anyway, uff .
I found myself a lot of the time angry with Naomi and desperate for Joji to do somethign, anything to make things the way he wants, since its his house. But then I think, let the girl do what she wants, how historically rare. And yet Naomi’s cruelty is annoying. However, even with thsi, I think its good they ended up as they are. He is very much a pedophile and expected a quiet wife when raising Naomi, serves him right that she became who she is. Even if not fair to Naomi, it is perhaps karma that gave her everything she wanted and him, just enough not to tip over the edge.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Misogyny, Death of parent, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
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