November 16, 2023

I find it very hard to write a review of this book without spoiling anything or writing my own interpretation of it, but one thing is for sure: I loved it.

There's a woman with a purple skirt in the narrator's neighbourhood, and it seems that she's something of a local character, although not much is known about her. The narrator (also a woman) has taken an interest in her, and watches her from afar.

Much of the book is very mundane, everyday stuff, but there is always a slight sense of unease in the background, something always a little bit off, that kept me on my toes the whole time. The ending is powerful, and very open to interpretation.

The language is generally simple, and the vocabulary common, dealing with shopping, workplaces, public transportation and other everyday subjects. Combined with the relatively few pages, I think this book may be a good candidate for early attempts at reading Japanese literature.

Gradings:12
2
favorite_border
omk3 graded
on April 14, 2025
similar in difficulty toリカL27
omk3 graded
on March 24, 2025
similar in difficulty toとんこつQ&AL26
omk3 graded
on May 19, 2024
similar in difficulty to殺した夫が帰ってきましたL28
omk3 graded
on April 14, 2024
similar in difficulty to木になった亜沙L26
omk3 graded
on April 11, 2024
harder than変な家L28
omk3 graded
on February 24, 2024
similar in difficulty toあひるL25
omk3 graded
on November 17, 2023
similar in difficulty to水たまりで息をするL29
omk3 graded
on November 17, 2023
similar in difficulty to夏と花火と私の死体L28
omk3 graded
on November 17, 2023
similar in difficulty toコーヒーが冷めないうちにL27
omk3 graded
on November 17, 2023
omk3 graded
on November 17, 2023
similar in difficulty toかがみの孤城L29
omk3 graded
on November 17, 2023
similar in difficulty to死体は眠らないL29