Reviews

Shipwrecks by Akira Yoshimura

redporchinverter's review

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Shipwrecks offers a detailed look at daily life in an isolated, impoverished fishing village in Japan, but the repetitiveness of Isaku’s routines gets tedious quickly, in part because the characters never develop much depth or personality. This did not deliver the “thrilling tale of murder and retribution” promised by the cover.

fates_fables_golem's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

yellagal57's review

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-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? N/A

3.75

gracefool's review

5.0

"Tears came to his eyes. He was elated at the thought that he would be able to feed the fish to his little brother and sister sipping their thin rice soup by the fireside."
This is when I knew the story had my heart and could do what it wanted with it.

lalariel's review

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

unklekrinkle's review

dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

mexcryptid's review

4.0

Shipwrecks takes readers to a small, impoverished fishing village in medieval Japan and digs deep into the culture and practices that shape the young narrator, Isaku. This book takes great care in its exploration of the expectations that weigh heavily on Isaku and, over time, prepares its readers for the harsh reality of keeping your family alive during trying times. From fishing techniques, to marriage traditions, to the deep held belief that all souls return to this small village and that each one of its residents must do what it takes to preserve their way of life. A heartbreaking story that doesn't hold back.

socgp123's review

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.25

rcgrimes's review

emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

drewmoody321's review

4.0

Content warning: this book is very sad. Like... VERY sad. Like... "I just finished the last page and now I want to curl up on the floor and scream" sad books. An absolutely haunting read that will weigh on you for a long time.