Definitely one of the more depressing reads I’ve encountered, but then again I’m a Cormac McCarthy fan 😭 I enjoyed this one though! The way Yōzō describes his mental state near the end as neither happy nor sad, and implying it to be some numb, “inhuman” gray area in between definitely hit home. I found it a little dated in regards to the general depiction of women but at the same time I also see how it’s a flaw that could be applicable solely to the protagonist rather than the novel as a whole. I don’t mean to be the kinda guy who’s like “ha look at me this didn’t make me sad I’m so tough” but I’ll admit it wasn’t as stirring as I had suspected! It left an impact, no doubt about that, but I can’t say it put me into a funk or anything. Still glad I read it though!
by montereypops