Reviews

An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro

pasta_al_limone's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

paddles1704's review against another edition

challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I really struggled with this book. I struggled to teach it, but I also struggled to engage with the main character on the level that was needed for the analysis we were trying to write. As a standalone book, it falls into the same category of Japanese historical fiction as Yokomizo’s novels, but there is no thrilling plot to follow, just the ramblings of an old man in a world that’s moving on without him. Might appeal to fans of the genre, won’t appeal to your average 17 year old.

len_nardo's review against another edition

2.0

Old man rambles.
Old man seems to not respect (or really like) his daughters. (Seriously what's with him and being THAT grandparent that just doesn't seem to respect how their children parent.)
Old man rambles.
Old man admits past mistakes and moves on.

Idk I just found this incredibly hard to read and not particularly interesting.

stellaaa's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful informative mysterious reflective 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

3.5

r_boakes's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

benwhittall's review against another edition

inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Not Ishiguro’s strongest novel, but still one that lead me to reflect as always. It made me think about my own self-reflection as an artist, and how it’s important to not dwell on one’s past or mistakes, but to look forward and celebrate what we’ve achieved. If anything, it did make me feel inspired and hopeful.

emilyaix's review against another edition

informative reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.75

chiaaraa's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.25

elliemarie04's review against another edition

informative lighthearted reflective relaxing

3.5

jon_thereader's review against another edition

3.25

I was a little bored but I think I understand what Kazuo was doing with this one. We follow an older artist who is reminiscing on his time growing in his profession during post WWII Japan (Nagasaki specifically). Times have changed and he is reckoning with taking responsibility for his past work as well as understanding and adjusting to the new Japanese society. This is a very rough, and probably bad, summary of the story but I’m sure - like all his books - l’ll find myself pondering this book’s themes in the future.