Srijan Singh Gaur

Reading this novel felt like dealing with various kinds of emotions at once. The way I was giggling in the initial chapters and felt like crying in the later ones is something that makes me love this novel. Some emotions and topics that are tackled in the novel were entirely new, and some provided me with a new point of view. The beginning of the novel was with a friendship to die for, and its ending with a relationship that kills you. The wonderful dynamics of the different kinds of relationships were gut-wrenching and oddly comforting at times. I wish to read it again and again as it will always remain a memorable book for me. I found out about this book through the announcement of the movie being made in the novel, but now all I wish is that the movie doesn't lose the true essence of the novel.

It is a well written book which is still relevant to this very day. It shows that when people in power aren't kept in check.The slow destruction of the small world created by the animals which was created by the revolution against the humans ended with a similar situation in the beginning. It felt like the sufferings of the weaker will be never-ending. I loved the line which was said by one of my colleagues to describe the pigs in the novel- "PIGS BECAME THE VERY PROBLEM THEY WERE FIGHTING AGAINST IN THE BEGINNING"

"This book can be an absolute favourite for those who turn their sadness into their passion." The way Yoshimoto wrote the book making the readers realise the pain and grief of losing someone is remarkable. The progression of the novel is smooth and consistent which is also warm and tender at times. As this novel is divided into three parts I have different feelings towards all of them. The 1st of "kitchen" one was kind and tender and it was beautiful how people can end up finding solace and love with totally strange people and in different surroundings and how one heals oneself overtime. The way the protagonist works her best to get out of the hard cycle of mourning and missing someone by doing the things she loves (cooking) was so heart warming. The 2nd part "full moon" was a very different turn taken and the sudden outburst of sadness and it was marvelous how both of the protagonists shape themselves out of their grief. Although many people seemingly disliked the ending I absolutely loved it as it leaves at a point where the reader can give it an ending according to their imagination. The 3rd part: "Moonlight Shadow" It was just magical to me how it shapes itself and creates the illusion of the phenomenon happening due to the sadness and thoughts of the mourners. The ending note in the short story left me with some teary eyes. Overall I rate this book a 4/5 and it'll always be a book I'll like to comeback to if in the hard times.

A beautifully written book. It makes you realize that rather than running away from problems, one should tackle them head on.The character growth throughout the novel is fascinating, as each individual's perception of others changes over time. This reflects the very human tendency to judge based on limited information, it highlights how easily we misinterpret each other and most importantly how a break can heal so many things. *****SPOILERS AHEAD***** My favourite character throughout the novel was Uncle Satoru who always tried his best to help Takako although there were some mistakes being made by him throughout the novel. The way our three main characters Takako, Satoru and Momoko end up being a family bound together with the bond of understanding made me feel so happy. I personally enjoyed the second part of the book alot more than the first part as the return of Momoko was very sudden to me. Momoko being a complex character to understand still made me feel sad about her ups and downs in life and her decisions which made her sad and sadder overtime. Other elements that I truly loved was the difference between life in nature and life in city. The only thing that I liked a bit less was how the novel was a little too short and how the progression of story in the ending becomes a little too fast and before the reader could realise the novel ends. Maybe it was just me who wanted Hideaki to be shown remorseful for his doing or maybe a proper understanding of Takako's feeling towards Wada but in the end the short size of the book makes it an easy read and the ending was sweet which makes the whole novel worth the read.