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jellyjilli's review
emotional
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Death of parent, Misogyny, and Suicide
Minor: Blood
vampireph4ze's review
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
truly, what got me was the title of this book. after reading the final paragraph, i went back to the foreword lovingly written by Edwin McClellan and reread it. i had forgotten what he'd said about it, and it even spoils the ending a little bit, but not enough so that it ruins the experience of reading it. Kokoro - the heart of things. what a beautiful title for a book about beautiful things, even if on the surface they are ugly. this isn't a particularly happy or sad book, overall i've felt a sense of calm wash over me reading it, but it definitely made my heart ache towards the end.
it's simple, it's easy to read and well-paced but so fruitful when it comes to human nature. the two main characters, the unnamed protagonist and Sensei, both have incredible flaws but never really gave enough cause to dislike them. they seemed so real. their actions and behaviors, though admittedly coming from an unreliable narrator, seem justified and real - like something you could see yourself doing if you were put in their shoes. Sensei's letter really wraps the title up into the story, "the heart of things" is the happiness and beauty of the world but also the pain and loneliness.unfortunately, Sensei was not able to move past this (accompanied by what i take to he his immense guilt or maybe at the end of it all, a heavy heart) but the book does not leave me depressed. it is hopeful, it is a lesson. it makes me appreciate all that i have had and will have and have.
i'm also realizing that this is the second book of Natsume Soseki's i've read and both of them have ended in the protagonist dying. i cannot wait to see what comes next.
it's simple, it's easy to read and well-paced but so fruitful when it comes to human nature. the two main characters, the unnamed protagonist and Sensei, both have incredible flaws but never really gave enough cause to dislike them. they seemed so real. their actions and behaviors, though admittedly coming from an unreliable narrator, seem justified and real - like something you could see yourself doing if you were put in their shoes. Sensei's letter really wraps the title up into the story, "the heart of things" is the happiness and beauty of the world but also the pain and loneliness.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Blood
chinola's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Suicide, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Grief, Sexism, Misogyny, and Blood
Minor: Alcoholism
travisppe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The structure was very intriguing, especially in Part III from Sensei’s letter. Look, this book is dense and parts of it are a slog but it is beautifully written and thoughtful, even if the characters are not particularly relatable. Highly recommended for folks interested in Japanese literature and culture.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, Alcohol, Death, Grief, Misogyny, Blood, and Emotional abuse
chainingbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Blood
novelyon's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Minor: Blood
sherbertwells's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As the Meiji Era draws to a close, a young student uncovers the tragic past of an older man known only as “Sensei.” Meredith Mckinney’s clean, beautiful translation sweeps over Sōseki’s quiet little story like a searchlight scanning the soft underside of a stormcloud—and damn, what a storm!
“Now I will wrench open my heart and pour its blood over you. I will be satisfied if, when my own heart has ceased to beat, your breast houses new life” (124)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Grief
Minor: Blood and Misogyny
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