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choco_cat's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
byz's review against another edition
4.0
As some other reviewers have mentioned, this story tends towards being too subtle and symbolic. Whether this is a problem with the reader or the writing I cannot say.
It’s beautifully written and very atmospheric. You really do feel as if you’re in a particular version of Japan—a quiet, refined, zen garden version.
This book really lends itself to meditation and analysis, often in a way that forced the reader to remain detached from the story. The characters speak in rather aloof & detached voices, rarely letting humanity burst through. The reader must wait patiently for the answers to reveal themselves. I found that I was subsequently too detached to find Rose’s eventual awakening fully credible. That’s the difficulty of shifting from a cerebral to an emotive state. I suspect, given the number of hints scattered throughout the book about not getting a full view all at once, that this is intentional.
It’s beautifully written and very atmospheric. You really do feel as if you’re in a particular version of Japan—a quiet, refined, zen garden version.
This book really lends itself to meditation and analysis, often in a way that forced the reader to remain detached from the story. The characters speak in rather aloof & detached voices, rarely letting humanity burst through. The reader must wait patiently for the answers to reveal themselves. I found that I was subsequently too detached to find Rose’s eventual awakening fully credible. That’s the difficulty of shifting from a cerebral to an emotive state. I suspect, given the number of hints scattered throughout the book about not getting a full view all at once, that this is intentional.
arinac's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
miri_rose's review against another edition
4.0
just finished this, currently crying a bit. So wonderful but maybe too melancholy? Idk how to feel exactly
storiedivalentina's review against another edition
4.0
Dopo la piccola delusione che è stata per me "Un altro paese" Muriel Barbery torna in grande stile.
L'inizio è un po' lento (come del resto in L'eleganza del riccio), ma il suo stile lento, descrittivo e delicato ha aperto una parentesi calma e rilassata in mezzo alla frenetica realtà. Aprivo quelle pagine e il tempo rallentava, dandomi il tempo di tornare a respirare.
L'inizio è un po' lento (come del resto in L'eleganza del riccio), ma il suo stile lento, descrittivo e delicato ha aperto una parentesi calma e rilassata in mezzo alla frenetica realtà. Aprivo quelle pagine e il tempo rallentava, dandomi il tempo di tornare a respirare.
real_margot's review against another edition
3.0
Powieść niezwykle liryczna, pełna poetyckich odwołań. Autorka z pietyzmem opisuje japońską kulturę i naturę, tworząc oniryczną scenerię. Melancholijna atmosfera sprzyja refleksjom nad życiem i poszukiwaniem własnej tożsamości.
Niektóre opisy japońskich realiów są nieprecyzyjne i trochę stereotypowe. Powieść skupia się wyłącznie na wewnętrznych przeżyciach Rosę. Pozostałe postacie są niedopracowane. Rozwój psychologiczny Rose nie jest do końca klarowny. Jej przemiana następuje dość nagle i bez wyraźnych motywów.
Niektóre opisy japońskich realiów są nieprecyzyjne i trochę stereotypowe. Powieść skupia się wyłącznie na wewnętrznych przeżyciach Rosę. Pozostałe postacie są niedopracowane. Rozwój psychologiczny Rose nie jest do końca klarowny. Jej przemiana następuje dość nagle i bez wyraźnych motywów.
jean86's review against another edition
I didn't find the romance believable but there were thoughtful themes and vignettes about: suffering, culture, identity, aesthetics, poetry, throughout the book that I very much enjoyed.
ajnsmiths's review against another edition
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Muriel Barbery is a writer of exceptional talent. This book is sort of a companion book to her equally brilliant “One Hour of Fervor”, but each can be experienced and enjoyed separately. Barbery’s translator, Alison Anderson, is also brilliant.
One comment to Europa Editions, the publisher of the English translation - the cover art on the hardback edition is an epic fail!
One comment to Europa Editions, the publisher of the English translation - the cover art on the hardback edition is an epic fail!