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kdominey's review against another edition
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? Yes
2.0
ajp551's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
sidharthvardhan's review
5.0
"And if on reaching the foot of the hill which climbs up to my house, you pause at the Bridge of Hesitation and look back towards the remains of our old pleasure district, if the sun has not yet set completely, you may see the line of old telegraph poles – still without wires to connect them – disappearing into the gloom down the route you have just come, And you may be able to make out the dark clusters of birds perched uncomfortably on the tops of the poles, as though awaiting the wires along which they once lined the sky. "
Set in post world war II Japan, this beautiful little novel is Ishiguro doing his usual great job - the subtlety, the painting of something larger (atmosphere of a country in this case) and a narrator who knows how to forget (unlike that of 'The Sense of Ending' Ishiguro's narrators never forget anything substantial - just a few minor details like when something happened or exchange a few details). Even the non-chronological flow of prose is so brilliantly conversational.
The title refers to the kind of life artists lead - away from social responsibility chasing after soft, beautiful things that become unreal in the daytime like pleasures from the district.
' Artists’, my father’s voice continued, ‘live in squalor and poverty. They inhabit a world which gives them every temptation to become weak-willed and depraved. Am I not right, Sachiko?’
‘Naturally. Yet perhaps there are one or two who are able to pursue an artistic career and yet avoid such pitfalls.'
The novel is about the narrator's dilemma - of having to choose between avoiding those pitfalls and his artistic need to pursuit beauty
An artist’s concern is to capture beauty wherever he finds it."
And his life is full of oscillations between the two and thus the metaphor of bridge of hesitation on his way to pleasure district. Smooth. The novel starts at a point where the author is inclined to believe that people around him are of opinion that not only he tried being socially responsible but failed with devastating effects on the whole nation. And thus the need to look back at his own life. And the question - if an artist is just giving out as his or her message what is the spirit of people at the time, how much he or she can be blamed for leading them?
The other themes I am too lazy to discuss.
caitlin705's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.0
A complative string of consciousness that was enjoyable to read
natalie_is_reading's review against another edition
5.0
First full book of 2024 and this was SO GOOD. Just like perfectly executed and beautifully written and so relevant and really exploring the hard questions of shame and self reflection and growth and patriotism/nationalism and age and thinking critically and admitting you’re wrong I couldn’t give it anything less than 5 stars.
kadbee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Misogyny
Moderate: War
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
madlnt's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
This is an interesting book about an artist of war propaganda from Japan in WWII - he is dealing with rectifying his past as a fairly well known artist with his past with the war, and his present as a man that the average person blames for the war and American occupation.
It’s slow and reflective, repetitive because of the narrators unreliable nature, but it’s for a reason. He presents his points of view as the utmost height of polite Japanese society, and cannot see how Japan is changing around him after the war.
It’s slow and reflective, repetitive because of the narrators unreliable nature, but it’s for a reason. He presents his points of view as the utmost height of polite Japanese society, and cannot see how Japan is changing around him after the war.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Misogyny
Moderate: War
Minor: Suicide
d_ckag's review against another edition
4.75
Ótimo livro! Adorei a leitura. Muito perto de botar 5 estrelas.
A temática é muito interessante, um artista que durante a segunda guerra pintava propagandas para o Japão Imperial e, após o fim do conflito, é obrigado a lidar com as consequências de suas ações e seu papel na guerra. Além disso, com a mudança do mundo e das gerações futuras, com a perda de tradições japonesas e a influência ocidental na cultura.
Apesar de apreciar a calma com que a história é contada, acho justo dizer que certos momentos podem ter sido monótonos demais.
A temática é muito interessante, um artista que durante a segunda guerra pintava propagandas para o Japão Imperial e, após o fim do conflito, é obrigado a lidar com as consequências de suas ações e seu papel na guerra. Além disso, com a mudança do mundo e das gerações futuras, com a perda de tradições japonesas e a influência ocidental na cultura.
Apesar de apreciar a calma com que a história é contada, acho justo dizer que certos momentos podem ter sido monótonos demais.