• This topic has 11 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 1 year ago by Alice Fine.
Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Author
    Posts
    • #1197
      Kris Ingra
      Participant
        @kajingram

        Does the quirky side of the main character’s personality enhance or detract from your ability to enjoy the story?

      • #1203
        Priya
        Participant
          @prireader
          1. I think it went with the ethos of the story. She’s not like everyone else. She has her quirks. So it was good.
          • #1288
            Nancy Bethel
            Participant
              @nancybethel

              To me, the quirky side of her nature was a huge part of the book. Without it, this would have been a totally different book.

          • #1234
            MelissaFromBookGirlsGuide
            Participant
              @melissatest

              I know this is not always the reaction to this book, but when I read it, I really loved her and her quirkiness.

            • #1247
              Kris Ingra
              Participant
                @kajingram

                I also found some dark humor in it, like when she would think or say aloud an ideation to kill someone.

              • #1255
                Shelli Truax
                Participant
                  @shelli

                  I have a family member on the Autism spectrum. It was interesting to see Japan’s culture views and societal norms, as the author knows them, expressed through this book.

                  As, a society, I believe that sometimes we forget that there is a place and a need for everyone.
                  Covid should have taught us that with essential workers.

                  Keiko was doing fine and living a good life in her convenience store job until those around her were worried about what society/others would think. That’s when things changed for her.
                  i was so excited when she found her voice and stood up for her self! Yay for Keiko!

                  Good book. Short, but lots to unpack. Big thumbs up!

                  • #1268
                    MelissaFromBookGirlsGuide
                    Participant
                      @melissatest

                      Yes! I agree with all of this! When Angela and I both read it in the first year of the Book Voyage challenge, we thought it did a marvelous job showing the culture of conformity that is so prevalent in Japan (along with other themes).

                       

                    • #1286
                      Julie
                      Participant
                        @julierich21

                        I was sad for her when she quit a job that she enjoyed and was so comfortable in, all because those around her thought she should have something different.

                        • #1290
                          Nancy Bethel
                          Participant
                            @nancybethel

                            Yes, I have never been to Japan, but have heard much about the culture of conformity there.  Think a lot of that exists in the US, too, tho- and people with handicaps are hugely discriminated against here.  A lot to think about in this book!

                          • #1293
                            Nancy Bethel
                            Participant
                              @nancybethel

                              I was as well. She seemed so content there. She had found a spot where she fit in. Although I was disappointed with her co-workers for not including her when they went out together.

                          • #1289
                            Nancy Bethel
                            Participant
                              @nancybethel

                              Yes, Altho that was a little much for me. Ha! Surely she learned growing up that it was not ok to physically hurt people.

                          • #1331
                            Alice Fine
                            Participant
                              @alicecake

                              The story would have had no meaning if Keiko had not been quirky. I applaud any story that prompts the reader to examine prejudices and acceptance of  others and  themselves.  We can always learn from our own history and that of other cultures. Examining how biases and prejudices began and how the “other side” feels is an important step to changing our own actions.

                          Viewing 5 reply threads
                          • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.