(Reread for my "Intro to 21st Century Literature" class.)

2.5 stars

Nope, I don't like this any better now, almost three years later, having to take notes to discuss it three times a week; on an enjoyment scale it's somewhere in the 1-2 star range, though I have to give it credit for how brilliantly it's constructed. Though to be fair, some of my annoyance was probably pure resentment over having to reread.

I actively disliked most of the characters, truth be told, and I wasn't particularly interested in the plot. There were a lot of fascinating ideas, but I felt like the follow-through was half-hearted in too many places. The twists and reveals weren't satisfying or satisfyingly dissatisfying, they kind of just ... were. (And weren't. Same thing.)

content warnings:

Spoiler

suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, bullying, mentions of animal abuse, major character death(s), precanon parent death (cancer & Alzheimer's)

rep:

Spoiler

Japanese-American MC, implied-genderqueer Japanese-American MC, Japanese major characters, major characters with mental illness

-----------
CONVERSION: 6.8 / 15 = 2.5 stars

Prose: 4 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 5 / 10
Emotional Impact: 1 / 10
Development / Flow: 4 / 10
Setting: 7 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: N/A
Intellectual Engagement: 4 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: N/A
Rereadability: 2 / 5
Memorability: 2 / 5

-----------
[2017 review]
2.75 stars.

It took quite a while for this book to grow on me — as is probably evident from my exasperated statuses — but I did want to like this book since it came highly recommended by a close friend. I did eventually come to like Nao and Ruth and all the others, and there were some interesting philosophical themes.