Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro

2 reviews

booksjessreads's review against another edition

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challenging mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Honestly, I really didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would. I found the plot line to really drag in parts and I found the characters hard to follow. I read the Remains of the Day a few weeks ago, and this felt like a version of that book, but set in Japan. I felt like the themes were really well thought out and they were explored fairly well, but it could have been more engaging and effective. 

I usually enjoy Ishiguro on audio, but I actually think in this instance, that didn't help. I just found it a really hard audiobook to engage with and also follow. Perhaps the print copy would have been better. 
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softanimal's review

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reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I love Ishiguro's gift for capturing a character who's self reflection fails to recognize their own realities or acknowledge their shame. His imagery is always a delight and the macro view of human lives he cultivates is thorough and engaging. I do however feel (and he himself has said this) that Floating World is a lesser telling of a very similar story to Remains of the Day. Although I enjoyed reading this, I feel that I do like Remains of the Day more although it's irritating that the one whose protagonist is an old white guy is the one most prefer despite including myself in that.
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