I would recommend reading this book if you're a fan of the film. They're very different from each other, so reading this was like a whole different experience to watching the film. I like how fleshed out the characters were, and the scenes were very descriptive. There was definitely a lot of detailed descriptions of violent occurrences in story. And the atmosphere was just so creepy. I think King was able to capture that really well.
I'm renewing my subscription to depression premium.
Dazai Osamu’s works, I feel, must be read when you're at a very specific place mentally, unless you want to later find yourself falling into the abyss. It's because he completely understands the depths that human despair can reach, that is the reason why his books are received as “dark, realistic, depressing”. A lot of what was written in this book clearly reflects Dazai sensei’s own feelings towards life and living. There's a lot to be said about the frequency in which death and suicide are mentioned in this book. Which is all the more reason why I think the timing in reading this book matters.
Pretty cute. The story is simple. It had a plot twist but it didn't really surprise me that much. I'm sure there was an important lesson in there somewhere that would reach out to adolescent readers, since this is a YA novel after all.
I really like the art style though.
It made me cry several times, I think owing to the timing of reading this book at that point in my life. Although the pace is quite slow, and there were way too many flashbacks (sometimes felt dragged on too long), there were a lot of moments in the book that really got to me. Especially moments in the present time, where it showed Mia's moments with her relatives and friends. It hit a little close to home.
I still give this 3.5 stars as I think there were a lot of moments where it could be written better. I didn't empathize much with the main character's backstory. But the best parts for me were towards the end.
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