From a deaf perspective. This story is very hard to read. The author really had a chance during shoko chapter towards the end to be impactful. While it was visually interesting to show a visual aspect to how shoko understands spoken language. All of that valuable insight was thrown out the window the moment they started “ thang yew foh leddig me bowwoh dis boog, miyoko” (page 158 book 6) 

As for the others. Their personal stories make it worse. (I realize that’s the point) but topics like suicide always make me ask “has anyone asked a person who’s wanted to commit suicide, why?” Instead of focusing on -they are selfish. They didn’t think about us, or me!- they all treated shoko so badly and then turn around and ask how could she do this? 

while this was a lot slower than I'd ordinarily like (and this is coming from someone who prefers slower-paced stories), I really appreciated getting to view this part of the story from the perspectives of the side characters. however, my biggest complaint is how characters like naoka are held accountable for their actions. while naoka is held accountable at certain points in this volume, other times the other characters are completely dismissive of her behaviour, which didn't sit right with me in the slightest.

onto the last volume!