roisincreative

this book took me years to read. a little too long-winded, prose a little too reminiscent of self-styled "trashy romances," needed some tightening. good images and characters but not as good as jhumpa lahiri, who does similar work thru namesake. pretty good analysis of fetishization, bringing it all back onto the self. (no one is not guilty of fetishization). great character development but a little too gaudy and stereotypical for mother, russia, eric, even philip. if one must use stereotypes, one must humanize them - best is with grandmother and self. great twist at the end reinforces homo-social female companionship theme, even homo-sexual. believable japanese characters, though a little self-exotified. horribly privileged analysis of race-class. the questioning tactic gets a bit tired after the 8th usage. ultimate verdict: not moving, but a beautiful love story.

2022-10-29 03:20