Scan barcode
ipb1's review against another edition
2.0
That'll learn me - don't trust blurbs that say "Japan's haunting answer to Germany's famous requiem for the First World War, All Quiet on the Western Front"...
This gives little of the experience of war and is no [b:Fires on the Plain|64492|Fires on the Plain|Shōhei Ōoka|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1364139249l/64492._SY75_.jpg|62604]. The only shocking thing about it is how bland and unmoving the entire experience is.
This gives little of the experience of war and is no [b:Fires on the Plain|64492|Fires on the Plain|Shōhei Ōoka|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1364139249l/64492._SY75_.jpg|62604]. The only shocking thing about it is how bland and unmoving the entire experience is.
worldlibraries's review against another edition
4.0
The first half of this book was so good the words sang off the pages! The second half wasn't as joyful to read, but the mystery of where the missing soldier was was beautifully described. As a reader, I didn't believe he was dead as I trusted his captain's judgement. The captain would not have sent him on a mission that would cause him to die. The author made us feel the angst of the Japanese company wondering what happened to him. It was unexplained though how the Captain came to peace on the matter before the letter even arrived.
I'm glad I read this book. I found the author's characterizations of Burmese culture to be spot on, which is rather extraordinary given that this is 66 years later (for the English translation, at least). I too wonder like the author does through his character Mizushima, isn't there a happy medium between Buddhist inner peace and industriousness? It would be lovely if the Japanese and us in the States could discover it!
I'm glad I read this book. I found the author's characterizations of Burmese culture to be spot on, which is rather extraordinary given that this is 66 years later (for the English translation, at least). I too wonder like the author does through his character Mizushima, isn't there a happy medium between Buddhist inner peace and industriousness? It would be lovely if the Japanese and us in the States could discover it!
jean2ya's review against another edition
3.0
The dialogue between characters did not read very realistically. Perhaps for brevity's sake, the novel's dialogue had to serve a dual purpose of moving the story along while tying it up; dialogue then became more akin to monologue, which I found more distracting than engrossing.
heatherbirchall's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
stacialithub's review against another edition
3.0
Originally written in 1946, Harp of Burma shows its age just a little bit in some of its stereotypes. And, Takeyama's teaching a moral lesson in the book, so it gets a bit heavy/didactic in a few parts. I think it was originally written for teens, so it's a bit more overt in the message too, rather than being more subtle. Even so, I'm glad I read it as I can imagine it was probably revolutionary in Japan for the time it was written (being more open-minded about the Burmese people & those from other nations too; some examination of what was wrong with Japan's thinking/moral code during WWII). Quick & interesting read that gives a different WWII perspective. Would be a great addition to any collection or assignment of WWII reading.
disasterchick's review against another edition
4.0
I had a challenge with this book - I picked it up on Sunday and had until Wednesday evening to finish it for a book discussion. I had a friend mention that she was reading it and had to stop, so I was a bit concerned. Challenge completed, and I am happy that I did. I got hooked from the very beginning because it is not just another war story. So much of what I have read has also been with the American view, and not the Axis view which gives this a different twist. This book does make me wonder how much music should be playing a role in our lives. How can it help us? Would we have the PTSD that we have now if we had more music?
kelsmastersupreme's review against another edition
3.0
WWIIl; a time of suffering and depression. But after we defeated the Japanese, what happened to them? Any suggestions? War history is defiantly not a subject that I enjoy reading about. It’s depressing, and it bases itself around tactics. In Harp of Burma by Michio Takeyama, my thoughts were changed drastically. Originally written in Japanese, this collection of stories tells of a “singing” company of soldiers who are rehabilitating as POWs after WWII. As they are working, one of their comrades is sent on a special mission, but ends up never being seen again. Michio Takeyama has only written Harp of Burma, but his name appears in many Japanese WWII literature, such as The Scars of War: Tokyo during World War II The Writings of Takeyama Michio.
I was completely surprised in how much this book didn’t read like a war novel; like Killer Angles. It was more of an after war tale, and it put the war in perspective without sending you to the battlefield. I really loved the language and the style of writing Takeyama had. He leaves you feeling as if you are apart of the plot, and that you can pretty much envision yourself where ever the characters are. The characters, for as much as he doesn’t describe them are special in their own way. I think it was a great idea to make them all singers and distinct and unique. The ending was definitely powerful; it wanted to make you rethink about your life a little bit.
The plot was a little redundant in the aspect that they continually kept speculating on what had happened to their missing member. It was a continual banter between what had happened to him, and lots of false hopes are applied in the book. Many times we see the characters bicker about the possibility of their fallen comrade being alive due to a small piece of evidence here or there. The other thing I didn’t like was how the perspective would change. The beginning of the story starts of as the narrator describing the company as if he is one looking from afar. As the story continues on, the narrator starts to talk as if he is apart of the company. For the ending, it was too abrupt in my taste. Takeyama leaves you with they kept traveling on the ship. We never know if they actually make it to Japan. I would have rather seen him make a Möbius strip out of the story and connect it back to the beginning where he is watching them disembark. That would have left you breathless.
Although this novel does have it’s weak points, overall it was engaging and well written. I completely enjoyed the story as a whole despite the ending and the redundancy. I think that you must be very mature to read this book. It’s a thought provoking novel, and it wasn’t written for children. Any historical fiction lovers must read this. Harp of Burma is a fantastic novel that I can completely see myself reading over and over again.
I was completely surprised in how much this book didn’t read like a war novel; like Killer Angles. It was more of an after war tale, and it put the war in perspective without sending you to the battlefield. I really loved the language and the style of writing Takeyama had. He leaves you feeling as if you are apart of the plot, and that you can pretty much envision yourself where ever the characters are. The characters, for as much as he doesn’t describe them are special in their own way. I think it was a great idea to make them all singers and distinct and unique. The ending was definitely powerful; it wanted to make you rethink about your life a little bit.
The plot was a little redundant in the aspect that they continually kept speculating on what had happened to their missing member. It was a continual banter between what had happened to him, and lots of false hopes are applied in the book. Many times we see the characters bicker about the possibility of their fallen comrade being alive due to a small piece of evidence here or there. The other thing I didn’t like was how the perspective would change. The beginning of the story starts of as the narrator describing the company as if he is one looking from afar. As the story continues on, the narrator starts to talk as if he is apart of the company. For the ending, it was too abrupt in my taste. Takeyama leaves you with they kept traveling on the ship. We never know if they actually make it to Japan. I would have rather seen him make a Möbius strip out of the story and connect it back to the beginning where he is watching them disembark. That would have left you breathless.
Although this novel does have it’s weak points, overall it was engaging and well written. I completely enjoyed the story as a whole despite the ending and the redundancy. I think that you must be very mature to read this book. It’s a thought provoking novel, and it wasn’t written for children. Any historical fiction lovers must read this. Harp of Burma is a fantastic novel that I can completely see myself reading over and over again.
homosexual's review against another edition
3.0
It was good but I felt like it dragged on for most of the book and parts could've easily been cut out to make it flow better. Not really a great thing for a book that is already so short.
bookishjess02's review against another edition
fast-paced
3.5
The story is a quick read and enjoyable.
This is a rare case where I saw the film years before I read the book, and I loved it! It would be interesting to watch it again, and see how I feel now after reading the book it’s based on.
This is a rare case where I saw the film years before I read the book, and I loved it! It would be interesting to watch it again, and see how I feel now after reading the book it’s based on.
soppysays's review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Cannibalism, and Violence