Reviews

The Gate by Natsume Sōseki

itssunnyand75's review against another edition

soseki is a genius 

cantordustbunnies's review

5.0

This novel is delicate, sensitive, subtle, and quite beautiful. Its tone is difficult to describe but strikes a wonderful balance between deep melancholy and gentle humor. The characters within are timeless and their situation speaks towards the human condition. The effects of shame, social isolation, love, procrastination, avoidance, crushed self-esteem, purposelessness, and passivity are chiefly explored but in order to fully understand the message of the author some knowledge of Zen Buddhism and Japanese culture would be helpful. Fortunately this novel is still highly readable and fully comprehendible, and it feels as though nothing has been lost in translation. It is gauzy and ephemeral yet richly complex and deeply emotional, a hidden treasure.

sky_reaper's review

5.0

How Soseki can engulf you in the world of Sosuke and Oyone by describing their domestic and personal matters that is of inane and mundane, uneventful and even is such a wonder to me.

naoran's review

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

4.0

yannareads's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A

4.0

jaimygdala's review

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

doctortdm's review against another edition

4.0

The best Natsume book I've read to date.

cloudcastle's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

3.0

james20xx's review

reflective 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

4.5

andyv's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0