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carlomartinez__'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
ellegranger's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Misogyny
caseyreadslol's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
decent enough prose to (just barely) slide me over the finish line but otherwise imagine reading narrative and character arcs structured like this https://youtu.be/kJqZCa-xXvQ?si=wW2WZls8a6tU5cMf . for nearly 500 desperately in need of cutting down pages
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Eating disorder, and Grief
Moderate: Misogyny
fionag's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-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
2.5
A read I was disappointed by. I agree with a lot of reviews I’ve seen that this book is a lot longer than it needs to be and could’ve been much sharper if a couple hundred pages were cut. I also think that the marketing of this book was perhaps misleading, as from the content on socials I assumed this would be the story of a journalist slowly siding with a killer and joining the dark side, a la Hannibal. It’s a shame because the first part of the book I enjoyed and then it fell off for me. Some discussions of sexism felt far too on the nose and I don’t think they were adding anything new. I didn’t like our main character and I thought she didn’t have any agency. The ‘twist’ at the end was so unsurprising and there’s a part in the middle that annoyed me and felt pointless. Also the body shaming is extreme and something I grew bored of, though if you were struggling with disordered thoughts I can imagine this would be really triggering. The narration on audio felt a bit strange as I struggled to get where a paragraph changed and it felt a bit rushed. Overall definitely not for me but the food descriptions were amazing and I really did find Kajii an intriguing character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
book_artiste's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Enjoyed the inclusion of feminist themes and think they were insightful from the perspective of women in Japan, but otherwise there were no "hot-takes" or new information for me in terms of this theme. Really enjoyed, however, how the plot was so well linked to this theme and did well to address many different issues in a natural way (didn't feel forced/performative).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Infertility, Murder, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Abandonment, Classism, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Mental illness
NOTE: mislabeled trigger warnings as graphic, these are mainly moderate to mild but be aware these themes exist in the bookdorothy_shack's review against another edition
There was a lot of talk about body size/shape/changes due to changes in diet/societal stuff about bodies and food that I’m honestly not in a good place to read, now or ever. I came for food descriptions, not breathless depictions of how gross-but-somehow-alluring a chubby probable-murderer is.
The writing itself is evocative and well-done, so if you’re up for a lot of discussion about Japanese societal expectations of women’s bodies and behavior, you might enjoy this more than I did.
The writing itself is evocative and well-done, so if you’re up for a lot of discussion about Japanese societal expectations of women’s bodies and behavior, you might enjoy this more than I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Body shaming, Sexism, and Misogyny
nix_jinx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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 writing and, by extension, the translation, are phenomenal. I loved how the the descriptions of food were woven into so much of the character's perspective.
Ultimately, this felt like an exploration of psychological manipulations, the subtleties and insidiousness. You have a character who overtly attempts to exude control over those who come into contact with her, but then you also have all the different influences who seek to control more subtly. Having the stark contrast of women fighting to live for something other than the men in their lives, and those fighting for the status quo in which men are all that matters was uncomfortable and powerful.
Ultimately, this felt like an exploration of psychological manipulations, the subtleties and insidiousness. You have a character who overtly attempts to exude control over those who come into contact with her, but then you also have all the different influences who seek to control more subtly. Having the stark contrast of women fighting to live for something other than the men in their lives, and those fighting for the status quo in which men are all that matters was uncomfortable and powerful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Body shaming, and Misogyny
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Toxic relationship
voicenextdoor's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Fatphobia
Moderate: Death of parent, Child abuse, and Pedophilia
shannenscribbles's review against another edition
Not for me in terms of how it treats the appearance of female characters. Specific weights and disordered eating behaviours are mentioned, being fat is framed as a conscious choice that the convicted criminal has made to be “different” and brave. Perhaps cultural differences, but made me uncomfortable enough to stop reading. Wouldn’t be suitable for anyone triggered by weight or image-related issues.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
teaandbooksnuggery's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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: Death of parent, Misogyny, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Infertility, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Toxic friendship