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blanton's review
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
tenar's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Medical content, and Child death
Moderate: Alcohol, Miscarriage, and Death of parent
Minor: Blood, Death, Gun violence, and Colonisation
motifenjoyer's review against another edition
3.0
"It was destiny’s role to enforce this repetition; it was Sōsuke’s lot to dodge the consequences."
mariisopaaa's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ifyouhappentoremember's review against another edition
4.0
The Gate follows a husband and wife, Sōsuke and Oyone, living a quiet existence in Tokyo during the waning days of the Meiji era.
This book was described in its introduction as a book with much of the action occurring in the spaces and silences between the character interactions. And I do agree with that sentiment. I think readers with a knowledge of Japanese Culture, specifically historical Japanese Culture will get the most out of this book.
But I think a reader less familiar with Japanese Culture could appreciate this book as well. Natsume Sōseki describes Sōsuke's life in a way many could probably relate to. In his youth, Sōsuke had expected a level of economic security that went away upon the death of his father. Now middle-aged, he works as just another cog in the Japanese bureaucracy, his paycheck barely enough to cover the household expenses. Sunday, his only day off is spent mentally recovering from the work week. This all sounds very similar to the testimonials frequently heard on social media about the stress and hardships of this modern life.
This book was described in its introduction as a book with much of the action occurring in the spaces and silences between the character interactions. And I do agree with that sentiment. I think readers with a knowledge of Japanese Culture, specifically historical Japanese Culture will get the most out of this book.
But I think a reader less familiar with Japanese Culture could appreciate this book as well. Natsume Sōseki describes Sōsuke's life in a way many could probably relate to. In his youth, Sōsuke had expected a level of economic security that went away upon the death of his father. Now middle-aged, he works as just another cog in the Japanese bureaucracy, his paycheck barely enough to cover the household expenses. Sunday, his only day off is spent mentally recovering from the work week. This all sounds very similar to the testimonials frequently heard on social media about the stress and hardships of this modern life.
souljababy's review against another edition
4.0
This is a tough one for me to describe. I liked it alot. Worth a reread at some point.
benrogerswpg's review against another edition
3.0
Standing Around, Not Doing Much
This was an okay book I found it quite benign and also very monotonous and just like a bunch of thoughts and this guy did this and like nothing really of too much
Of course Soseki is a great writer and you could really see that in the in the writing and feel it when reading it, but it just wasn't as good as some of his other books such as one of my favorites - such as the outstanding [b:Kokoro|762476|Kokoro|Natsume Sōseki|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327991553l/762476._SY75_.jpg|1977713] or the touching [b:I Am a Cat|62772|I Am a Cat|Natsume Sōseki|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1364139690l/62772._SY75_.jpg|60969]
2.9/5
This was an okay book I found it quite benign and also very monotonous and just like a bunch of thoughts and this guy did this and like nothing really of too much
Of course Soseki is a great writer and you could really see that in the in the writing and feel it when reading it, but it just wasn't as good as some of his other books such as one of my favorites - such as the outstanding [b:Kokoro|762476|Kokoro|Natsume Sōseki|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327991553l/762476._SY75_.jpg|1977713] or the touching [b:I Am a Cat|62772|I Am a Cat|Natsume Sōseki|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1364139690l/62772._SY75_.jpg|60969]
2.9/5
jayb_213's review against another edition
3.0
The first thought that came to my mind was that this is a story about “nothing.” Similar to the Seinfeld tv series of the 1900s but lacking the humor and set in early 20th century Japan.
The main character is a neurotic fellow that makes his way through life without much direction or courage. His indecisiveness and lack of purpose became too hard to read early in the book and was just boring. His love for his wife was touching but hardly worth the rest of the book.
You’d be better off reading Metamorphosis or Babbitt. Same idea but more entertaining.
The main character is a neurotic fellow that makes his way through life without much direction or courage. His indecisiveness and lack of purpose became too hard to read early in the book and was just boring. His love for his wife was touching but hardly worth the rest of the book.
You’d be better off reading Metamorphosis or Babbitt. Same idea but more entertaining.