this was so strange.. didn't expect any less from a japanese magical realism novel. it was a fun and light read.this was so strange.. didn't expect any less from a japanese magical realism novel. it was a fun and light read....more
i'm not sure what it is with dazai but i feel like there's too much of something yet too little of another when reading his books.
in this particular i'm not sure what it is with dazai but i feel like there's too much of something yet too little of another when reading his books.
in this particular case, too much showing us what's happening but really nothing beyond that. although we already know yozo from no longer human, he lacked any depth besides being a depressed guy with a failed suicide attempt. even within the descriptions of his friends in this book, i still felt like i knew nothing about them besides the fact that they use humor as a coping mechanism. it's an endearing portrayal of friendship yet it simultaneously felt fake. maybe i just failed to grasp the point and let it fly over my head.
i did enjoy dazai inserting himself and i found it entertaining in that respect. although i must admit it feels very difficult to separate yozo from dazai. overall, i still understand why this work (alongside no longer human) has such a grandeur within japanese literature and i look forward to reading the rest of his work....more
'It would be a terrible thing if a comet hit the earth.' 'What would happen then?' whispered Sniff. 'Everything would explode,' said Moomintroll, gloomi'It would be a terrible thing if a comet hit the earth.' 'What would happen then?' whispered Sniff. 'Everything would explode,' said Moomintroll, gloomily. There was a long silence. Then Snufkin said slowly: 'It would be awful if the earth exploded. It's so beautiful.'
- this was one of the most wholesome things i've ever read i could cry :') i love the moomins so much i love the snork maiden i love snufkin i love tove jansson !!!!!!!...more
this book perfectly encapsulates all the fears and grievances that come with womanhood and more importantly, motherhood. despite it being a novel, it this book perfectly encapsulates all the fears and grievances that come with womanhood and more importantly, motherhood. despite it being a novel, it felt more like a memoir following 3 generations of women whom struggles were passed down to like hand-me-downs. cho nam-joo citing real statistics from south korean society and listing the resources in the footnotes further solidified how this is far from a work of fiction.
i don't think any woman can read this without seeing her thoughts, agitation, and self reflected within these words. this is not an empowering book. i was left with feelings of dread more than anything else after finishing it but despite that, it is necessary. ...more
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