虹いろ図書館のへびおとこ (5分シリーズ+)

Gripping start, but then drags on too long

This book is about a child who is bullied and has a difficult home life, so instead of going to school she hides out in the local library and makes friends with the staff and other patrons.

I felt that this book was less Kana-heavy than other children's books, but it was still a bit irritating.

The story itself started to be gripping (for me) and made me feel a lot of sadness, but in the last third/half of the book nothing really happened and I often didn't understand the motivations and reasoning of the characters. It also doesn't feel like things are resolved in a satisfying way.

Part of the fun of the book seems to be recognising all the children's books that are mentioned and referenced. I recognised most of the western ones (Hotzenplotz, Barbapapa, Thomas the Tank Engine, Doctor Dolittle), but for me it wasn't really entertaining or nostalgic and I found it a bit tedious when they went on for a few pages about a particular children's book, especially if it was one I didn't know.

It's also frustrating as an adult to read stories about bullying where all the adults who are supposed to intervene don't really do anything worthwhile.

I think everything I've said is not really against the book and that some people might really like it (which is obvious when you read the Japanese reviews on bookmeter), so I'd still recommend giving it a try if you think it might be for you.