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Hikikomori And The Rental Sister: A Novel (2013)

by Jeff Backhaus(Favorite Author)

3.5 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

1616201371 (ISBN13: 9781616201371)

languge

English

genre

Fiction

publisher

Algonquin Books

review 1: If nothing else, this book will make me explore the Hikikomori phenomenon in Japan more closely. The writing is beautiful, but I continue to struggle with the relationship of the characters, all hurt and flawed - all imprisoned by their own pain. I was satisfied with the resolution of the narrative, but struggled to find authenticity in it. If the writing had been less beautiful, I might have felt differently about the book on the whole.
review 2: I won this book from Librarything's early reviewer program, so here comes my honest review. The writing was very readable in its sparse simplicity. I liked the concept of the story -- a story about a man who locks himself up in a room for three years following the death of his son for which he feels responsible. I f... moreound his wife's agony about his refusal to leave his room and engage with her was vivid and heart wrenching. But I must agree with other reviewers who found the character of the "rental sister" to be an unrealistic male fantasy. Her emotions were unreal. And the ease with which they start a sexual relationship and the main character consequently leaves his room have the effect of making his grief seem shallow. To sum up: readable but somewhat frustrating. less

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