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yuniesan's review
2.0
Why did I feel as though I kept getting more and more angry at these characters?
I don't even know how I should review this I'm still trying to wrap my mind around this madness
I don't even know how I should review this I'm still trying to wrap my mind around this madness
jujubeans13's review
4.0
this shit is fucked up fr. i actually loved this even though it is disturbing in a wack ass way. this man is the biggest SIMP i have ever seen. unfortunately he never gains an iota of self respect and remains pussy whipped. however its actually a super interesting look into the cultural shift of the time from traditional japan to the "modern" era with an emphasis and fascinating with western culture thats interesting to read about. naomi a bitch fr. but i guess you cant blame her for wanting a way out of her situation, but its fucked up that its at the cost of jojis basically entire life and dignity. interesting how things can spiral out of control so quickly. i guess everybody is desperate for attention and validation. once you get that youll do anything to keep it sometimes. ill def read more tanizaki probably this weekend actually!
roisin_prendergast's review
3.0
This is a bit like a Japanese 'Lolita'. Very cinematic. The story of a man - Jōji - and his infatuation with a Eurasian looking teenage girl, Naomi. Upon meeting and getting to know one another, both characters bond over their mutual fascination with the West. Soon, Naomi becomes Jōji's protégé and she moves in with him. He is intent on nurturing her into a 'respectable young lady'. His adoration takes form in lavishing her with clothes and expensive meals. Naomi quickly becomes spoiled and distasteful traits begin to show. We discover her mischievousness and unfaithfulness - the bane and ruin of Jōji's life. His love (however unhealthy the reader may deem it) for Naomi, is unwavering. This novel was very atmospheric and transported me to another culture and climate. It was, however, rather stifling to read - both in terms of the circumstances at hand and also in terms of the writing style. I felt myself trying to rush through and get to the point of a few scenes. The whole relationship is unhealthy and weird and I didn't find myself rooting for anyone. A feminist and PC attitude would obviously sympathise with Naomi - a young woman groomed and made subject to an older man's overpowering and constricting infatuation. However, I couldn't help but ever so slightly sympathise with Jōji - who I imagine to be a meek and rather pathetic brown-suited man - a man who subsequently has to resort to 'buying' his love from women through supplying their addiction to materialism. Naomi clearly walks all over him and he allows it because he is so hopelessly in love with her (or merely obsessed?).
miyam's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
nicolewang's review
3.0
Offers an interesting social critique and commentary on culture as a means of colonization . but goddamn these people are Crazy
tallahasseefloyd's review
medium-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
3.25
getlovequick's review
5.0
Naomi (the character) is everything i aspire to be and more. she is gaslight, gatekeep, and girlboss. i love her.
bsmorris's review
3.0
I don't think I fully understand this one. I found it puzzling and somewhat annoying... when I finished reading, I noticed that the back cover called it a "hilarious" story... I didn't realize it was supposed to be funny, and I guess I didn't see the humor on the first reading. I think I need to learn more about Japanese culture in the 1920s to understand the humor and the social commentary in the novel.
All that said, the characters were certainly well-developed and complex, and the storyline did keep me interested. I picked it up because one of my students recommended it and wants to do an independent reading project on it, so I look forward to learning more and understanding the novel better.
All that said, the characters were certainly well-developed and complex, and the storyline did keep me interested. I picked it up because one of my students recommended it and wants to do an independent reading project on it, so I look forward to learning more and understanding the novel better.
moony_reads_'s review
fast-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
3.0