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m36h4n's review
Kept getting a little lost with the prose/poetry… doesn’t seem like a bad book, but I couldn’t stay into it
veecaswell's review
4.0
A book that feels poetic and very real, The Thorn Puller for me was a fascinating and in moments and emotional read about family, aging and mortality that really leaves with you alot of thoughts.
Working together stories of her life through prose and poetry, this book shares the stories of Hiromi as she moves between two different countries caring for her husband and her parents. This book almost feels like a diary and an expelling of thoughts as she deals with her own feelings and the things effecting all of her family.
I appreciated her emotive and raw style of writing as she pens everything in her head down and allows an insight into her way of thinking as she travels between her two families. As a carer, finding the balance between finding time for yourself and doing all you can for the people around you is incredibly difficult and that position is reflected so well in this book.
a poignant and thoughtful book that brings together a whole 'story' that gives you an insight into Hiromi's life. It wasn't what I expected, but I'm glad it wasn't.
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for honest review).
Working together stories of her life through prose and poetry, this book shares the stories of Hiromi as she moves between two different countries caring for her husband and her parents. This book almost feels like a diary and an expelling of thoughts as she deals with her own feelings and the things effecting all of her family.
I appreciated her emotive and raw style of writing as she pens everything in her head down and allows an insight into her way of thinking as she travels between her two families. As a carer, finding the balance between finding time for yourself and doing all you can for the people around you is incredibly difficult and that position is reflected so well in this book.
a poignant and thoughtful book that brings together a whole 'story' that gives you an insight into Hiromi's life. It wasn't what I expected, but I'm glad it wasn't.
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for honest review).
baestation's review
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
jamesdanielhorn's review
5.0
This is the sort of book that absolutely knocks me out. So clever and full of personality. The way the author borrows from texts and weaves poetry in is so seamless and stunning. There’s also an interesting dichotomy of East vs West that plays out in the pages. I am extremely facilitated with, but still a novice when it comes to Japanese culture, so this book was particularly thrilling for me. I had to stop so many times to learn about places and things that were mentioned. My experience with this book was exemplary of the joy of reading. I hope you’ll take my word, read this book, and get the same satisfaction I did.
kate66's review
4.0
At first I thought this book might be too poetic for me as I had never heard of Hiromi Ito and was unaware of her presence as a celebrated poet. What attracted me initially and what eventually made me really like this book is the way Ito intertwines stories about her life with Japanese and US culture and with Japanese fables and myths.
I've been fascinated with Japanese lit for some years and it's always interesting to hear a new, lyrical voice. This is Ito's first English translation but if it is typical of her work I'd definitely read more.
You are never quite sure whether the story is fact or fiction because the lines are quite blurred at times. She uses myth to emphasise real life and the beliefs of Japanese animistic religions are used to great effect.
Some parts were a little lengthy but I found that once I picked this book up I found it hard to put down. I would definitely put this down to Ito's (and therefore Jeffrey Angles' translation) mastery of language.
A fascinating look at life, growing up, middle then old age and death as Ito splits her time between her California based husband and children and her elderly parents in Kumamoto.
Recommended for any fans of Japanese lit/poetry or those simply interested in a different culture.
I've been fascinated with Japanese lit for some years and it's always interesting to hear a new, lyrical voice. This is Ito's first English translation but if it is typical of her work I'd definitely read more.
You are never quite sure whether the story is fact or fiction because the lines are quite blurred at times. She uses myth to emphasise real life and the beliefs of Japanese animistic religions are used to great effect.
Some parts were a little lengthy but I found that once I picked this book up I found it hard to put down. I would definitely put this down to Ito's (and therefore Jeffrey Angles' translation) mastery of language.
A fascinating look at life, growing up, middle then old age and death as Ito splits her time between her California based husband and children and her elderly parents in Kumamoto.
Recommended for any fans of Japanese lit/poetry or those simply interested in a different culture.
nadiamasood's review
4.0
I feel like this book will speak to many because it's hard-hitting, powerful, and a brutally honest portrayal of the pressures of middle age, especially of those who deal with cross-cultural differences. The story offers genuine insight into what it means to be a parent, child, lover, and friend.
It's interesting how Ito fuses poetic verses into her prose and combine Japanese folklore, classical literature, and myth. I learned so much about the Japanese culture, traditions, and religious beliefs from this book.
It's interesting how Ito fuses poetic verses into her prose and combine Japanese folklore, classical literature, and myth. I learned so much about the Japanese culture, traditions, and religious beliefs from this book.
emilyofthegreenwood's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.5
aoifengelion's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Really beautifully written in a way you can tell shes a poet. I know some people don't like the references to other poetry and Japanese poetry and religion but I really enjoyed that.
It is very mundane, and I don't mean in a boring manner but more in a very human manner. There are some elements in the book that are unpleasant or a little bit weird but are addressed in a very mundane way because it is all part of the human experience and some of those things are just what happens in life and that approach I really liked.
This has made me want to learn more about the Japanese poems and stories referenced in her work and also to read her poetry also! Whilst it's not super gripping, it's an interesting, reflective and calm book to read in the park surrounded by sun and flowers where you have the space and time to just think and relax.
It is very mundane, and I don't mean in a boring manner but more in a very human manner. There are some elements in the book that are unpleasant or a little bit weird but are addressed in a very mundane way because it is all part of the human experience and some of those things are just what happens in life and that approach I really liked.
This has made me want to learn more about the Japanese poems and stories referenced in her work and also to read her poetry also! Whilst it's not super gripping, it's an interesting, reflective and calm book to read in the park surrounded by sun and flowers where you have the space and time to just think and relax.
nyfrea's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Ich habe mich mit diesem Buch, welches laut der Autorin ein "Romanpoem" darstellt, recht schwer getan. Besonders auf den ersten ca. 60 Seiten habe ich immer wieder mit dem Gedanken gespielt, es abzubrechen, da ich kaum einen Zugang zu dem Schreibstil gefunden habe und ihn als seltsam anstrengend empfand. Gleichzeitig hat mich aber auch die ganze Zeit über "etwas" an dem Buch interessiert. Tragischerweise kann ich immer noch nicht genau beschreiben, was dieses etwas denn genau ist ...
Auch wenn ich mich irgendwann an den (meiner Meinung nach) sehr wilden Schreibstil etwas gewöhnt hatte, war dieses Buch kein Genuss für mich, was wohl eng damit zusammenhängt, dass mein Wissen um Japan, die Kultur, Religion/Spiritualität usw. nicht umfangreich genug ist, um mit den unzähligen Referenzen etwas anfangen zu können. Sprich: Ich war wahrscheinlich schlicht und ergreifend nicht schlau genug. Nichtsdestotrotz bringe ich diesem Werk einen gewissen Respekt entgegen, denn auch wenn ich es nicht gänzlich entschlüsseln konnte, so gab es dennoch einige sehr schöne und emotional berührende Passagen, ich mochte, dass gefühlt alles voll von versteckten Bedeutungen war (in Bezug auf den Lyrik-Aspekt) und ich habe einige interessante Dinge über Japan gelernt :)
Wer weiß, möglicherweise werde ich es in der Zukunft erneut lesen, nachdem ich mir zusätzliches Wissen angeeignet habe, um zu sehen, ob das etwas an meinem Leseerlebnis ändert. Falls nicht (was ehrlicherweise wahrscheinlicher ist), werde ich mich trotzdem um Wissenszuwachs bemühen ;)
Nun denn, wem würde ich das Buch empfehlen?
- Menschen, die gern asiatische Literatur lesen bzw. ein generelles Interesse an den Ländern, der Kultur usw haben
- Menschen, die viel Lyrik lesen, haben hier definitiv einen Vorteil
- Menschen, die es nicht hassen wie die Pest, wenn die direkte Rede ohne Anführungszeichen geschrieben wird
- Menschen, die gerne mal etwas "anderes" lesen (besonders auf den Stil bezogen)
- Menschen, die gerne zeitgenössische Literatur lesen, die sich mit Problemlagen beschäftigt
- wahrscheinlich noch vieles mehr ...
Für mich reicht es leider nur für gut gemeinte 3 Sterne, denn obwohl ich mich irgendwann etwas an den Stil gewöhnt hatte und manche Passagen sehr gut fand, traf es überwiegend leider einfach nicht meinen Geschmack.
Auch wenn ich mich irgendwann an den (meiner Meinung nach) sehr wilden Schreibstil etwas gewöhnt hatte, war dieses Buch kein Genuss für mich, was wohl eng damit zusammenhängt, dass mein Wissen um Japan, die Kultur, Religion/Spiritualität usw. nicht umfangreich genug ist, um mit den unzähligen Referenzen etwas anfangen zu können. Sprich: Ich war wahrscheinlich schlicht und ergreifend nicht schlau genug. Nichtsdestotrotz bringe ich diesem Werk einen gewissen Respekt entgegen, denn auch wenn ich es nicht gänzlich entschlüsseln konnte, so gab es dennoch einige sehr schöne und emotional berührende Passagen, ich mochte, dass gefühlt alles voll von versteckten Bedeutungen war (in Bezug auf den Lyrik-Aspekt) und ich habe einige interessante Dinge über Japan gelernt :)
Wer weiß, möglicherweise werde ich es in der Zukunft erneut lesen, nachdem ich mir zusätzliches Wissen angeeignet habe, um zu sehen, ob das etwas an meinem Leseerlebnis ändert. Falls nicht (was ehrlicherweise wahrscheinlicher ist), werde ich mich trotzdem um Wissenszuwachs bemühen ;)
Nun denn, wem würde ich das Buch empfehlen?
- Menschen, die gern asiatische Literatur lesen bzw. ein generelles Interesse an den Ländern, der Kultur usw haben
- Menschen, die viel Lyrik lesen, haben hier definitiv einen Vorteil
- Menschen, die es nicht hassen wie die Pest, wenn die direkte Rede ohne Anführungszeichen geschrieben wird
- Menschen, die gerne mal etwas "anderes" lesen (besonders auf den Stil bezogen)
- Menschen, die gerne zeitgenössische Literatur lesen, die sich mit Problemlagen beschäftigt
- wahrscheinlich noch vieles mehr ...
Für mich reicht es leider nur für gut gemeinte 3 Sterne, denn obwohl ich mich irgendwann etwas an den Stil gewöhnt hatte und manche Passagen sehr gut fand, traf es überwiegend leider einfach nicht meinen Geschmack.