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A review by mikkiokko
An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro
informative
reflective
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
Pros:
- The exploration of Japan after WWII was interesting and a perspective that I've never got to hear about.
- If there's one thing Ishiguro is great at its exploring a characters psyche. Ono's journey and reflection of coming to terms with his contribution to Japan's imperialism and nationalism during WWII was very interesting. Always felt like I was fully in his brain, whether it be for the better or for the worse.
Kinda Cons:
- PLEASE be forewarned that so far from what I've read of Ishiguro's earlier works they are VERY slow paced. It is just a man talking and thinking, that is the plot of the book. Doesn't mean it's bad, it means just be prepared.
- Ono, glad you could reflect on your contributions to imperialism, now please check your contributions to sexism. To be clear I don't think Ishiguro is sexist, from how he's described women in his other books there's never been a problem. In this case I think he is just reflecting the time and setting, but god it is still ROUGH to read over and over again. So just be prepared for that.
- I wish that the secondary characters in Ono's present day were more developed. I It kind of felt like they were just there to propel him forward in his thinking, rather than had their own lives too.
- The exploration of Japan after WWII was interesting and a perspective that I've never got to hear about.
- If there's one thing Ishiguro is great at its exploring a characters psyche. Ono's journey and reflection of coming to terms with his contribution to Japan's imperialism and nationalism during WWII was very interesting. Always felt like I was fully in his brain, whether it be for the better or for the worse.
Kinda Cons:
- PLEASE be forewarned that so far from what I've read of Ishiguro's earlier works they are VERY slow paced. It is just a man talking and thinking, that is the plot of the book. Doesn't mean it's bad, it means just be prepared.
- Ono, glad you could reflect on your contributions to imperialism, now please check your contributions to sexism. To be clear I don't think Ishiguro is sexist, from how he's described women in his other books there's never been a problem. In this case I think he is just reflecting the time and setting, but god it is still ROUGH to read over and over again. So just be prepared for that.
- I wish that the secondary characters in Ono's present day were more developed. I It kind of felt like they were just there to propel him forward in his thinking, rather than had their own lives too.