You Can't See the Snow

by Rokudo Ningen, Taylor Engel (Translator)

College freshman Natsuki and sophomore Yuki meet and fall in love one summer night--the first of many they spend together. But as autumn approaches, Yuki suddenly tells Natsuki she wants him to be happy and find a cute girlfriend, then disappears from campus. Hoping to see Yuki one final time, Natsuki visits her home and learns she suffers from an unknown illness that forces her to sleep through the winter. This modern-day version of Sleeping Beauty explores the miracle of love.

Genres: Light Novel, Romance, Manga

208 pages, Hardcover

First published February 25, 2022

About the author

人間六度

Reviews

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always a sucker for these light novels but the epilogue was a little jarring and threw me off a little. Overall though I think it was really good!!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not quite sure what to think of this.

[Sara]

Snow my sky love at my soulmat
snow at many face around to kiss fresh huppy
snow to can sleep far from any fairy
snow at my lover to find frish start
snow at ma heart to clean it but y cant remove what mine
snow at disses that wounded our oak
snow at lovely past to play many menut at my sleepy days
snow at that war to make peace
snow my sky for love
for play and enjoy
for end wounde wind
for beuty news of my soulmate
snow at my autmn and long winter
snow my sky and play as poam realism
snow my sky kisses at face who cant forget
snow at my soul that have misses and love

[Nicki Markus · Rating 4 out of 5]

You Can't See the Snow was a novella with an interesting premise that caught my attention right from the first chapter. Both Natsuki and Yuki were engaging characters whose stories I was keen to follow from start to finish. Although short, the story explored a number of themes within its modern-fairytale setting. Even the character names contributed to the storytelling for those who know a little Japanese. The pacing through most of the book was good, but I found the ending a little rushed and perhaps a tad unsatisfying in the context of the story as a whole. Nonetheless, it was still an enjoyable, quick read and I would recommend it to readers who enjoy Japanese fiction with a hint of magical realism. I am giving it 3.5 stars that I would round up to a four if pushed.

I received this book as a free eBook ARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[Ghostea · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You Can't See the Snow” is slightly deceptive in its execution. Originally presented as a prototypical romance story that hints at a modernization of ‘sleeping beauty,' it slowly becomes apparent that is not Rokudo Ningen's inspiration or aim. Instead, the readers are given a reflection on illness and desires stemming from a terminal condition. The book takes a sensational concept of a woman who goes into a coma every winter but presents this predicament as a metaphor for feeling passed over when quantifying one's value.

The afterword puts much of this in context: Rokudo Ningen wrote/conceptualized much of the novel while in hospital for an undisclosed illness. Approaching the story from this perspective, the writing becomes an inescapable malaise where longing for love and understanding blends with various elements extending from insecurity and uncertainty. Romance is at the center, but it is a challenge, family holds great importance, but their love also comes with admitted suffering, and the desire to be seen as normal offers conflicting emotions when help is needed. “You Can't See the Snow” touches on many facets of human suffering and desires, and it becomes vastly more thought-provoking than the cliched romance story it first presents itself as.

Much of the book's success in exploring various themes comes from the author's approach to storytelling, both in attention to detail and honesty in character flaws. He perfectly sets up every scene with the realism of experiencing it, from minute things like a character's mind wandering and noticing a rather mundane item or happening close by. There are many instances of inconsequential imagery or observations, but this works greatly in favor of crafting a sincere human experience.

Natsuki Uzume and Yuki Iwato face ample adversity throughout, with their own insecurities and problems communicating with each other. A lifetime of dealing with health issues and the awkwardness of young love is not glossed over in favor of a more idealized romance. There are certainly moments shared between the two that are touching, but nothing feels embellished. There is a slight trade-off here wherein both are not necessarily ‘likable,' but their realism helps establish the greater themes Ningen explores.

Translator Taylor Engel did an impressive job with the material. Much of the story becomes caught up in exploring language use and the ability (or inability) to convey emotions through it. The latter chapter focuses heavily on this, with Natsuki becoming aware of how flawed his choice of words was in defining his relationship with Yuki. There are also moments of poetic reflection that effortlessly flow under the translation. The entire release is also perfectly presented in the hardcover edition from Yen On (Yen Press), with the book having the ideal size and durability for a travel companion.

One element of “You Can't See the Snow” will divide readers, with the epilogue slightly undermining the work that came before it. This will depend on whether the reader prefers an open ending that lands at its most emotionally poignant while allowing open interpretation for the future or those who feel cheated not knowing exactly what transpired after. However, even if the epilogue is seen as an egregious misstep, it is, ultimately, several pages of disappointment at the end of an exceptionally well-crafted novel that can be ignored.

[purplegrape · Rating 2 out of 5]

If the whole book was like the prologue and final chapter, this would have easily been a 4+ star read. The writing scratches and itch in my brain and there's a dreamy atmospheric quality to it that made reading this an experience. That being said, outside of the ending, everything about this was boring or just plain weird. None of the characters are remotely likable. The main male character makes questionable decision after questionable decision and everyone in his life either 1) tries to stop him but apologizes, 2) somehow tolerates him, or worse 3) actively enables him. It's genuinely baffling. None of the character dynamics/relationships made a lick of sense.

I could be more specific and systematically tear the characters to shreds but I won't simply because another second spent on these characters is a second too many. Yes, they're that bad. The premise I suppose could have been interesting, but I still have no idea what it really was. What was the point of this story? Why was it written? What was the message? I looked for answers to these questions in the afterward and found none. I know that the author spent time in a hospital for an undisclosed reason, and I know that they were encouraged by one of their professors to pursue writing. How much of this bled into the book? I guess I'll never know.

I have a bone to pick with the way that the Japanese medical and educational systems were portrayed in this novel. I should preface that my knowledge of the two is next to non-existent, so I can't speak as to the accuracy whatsoever, but as a reader it was cartoon villain levels of insanity the way her medical condition was (not) accommodated. You cannot expect me to believe that a girl who spends a third of the year in a coma has "normal" numbers and is effectively viewed as healthy by whatever systems are in place. I simply cannot buy it. I thought the afterward might offer some sort of explanation as to why the author was so critical but no, and I can't help but be put off by how it comes across as simply there for dramatic effect.

On a lighter note, I couldn't help but notice how pretty much every chapter featured food to varying degrees of importance. If you end up reading this, don't read while hungry. And if you do, have a snack available.

[Jason Yen · Rating 3 out of 5]

An awkward plot with a brilliant writing.

This was an emotional yet creepy understanding of different types of love under extreme circumstances, and I can perceive issues in a relationship in this book that can reasonably surface and should be communicated through.
At times I was frustrated at the character developments, and I found myself upset at their actions and choices of words.
In the end, I’m grateful for seeing the aftermath, but not in total awe of how their characters could have grown.

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know why this had caught my attention to borrow it from the public library but alas here we were. Overall the premise as this folkloric romance between two characters, who of which goes to a slumber like state when the temperature dips and the other seeks to wait for them works romantically however the writing style, different than what this American is used to, wasn't as engaging. It took too long to arrive at anything with this slow burn magical story.

[Sherry Jamaluddin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never been good at reviewing books. I think this is a slice-of-life genre. It’s calming and comforting to read despite the “unusual circumstances”. Generally, I’m a fan of happy ending bug this book gives a satisfying ending. Keep it up, author!

[ARPAN DATTA · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was unique but the ending was very unexpected.

[C.M · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't great but it wasn't bad? The ending came out of nowhere, and I wish it was elaborated more, but what can you do.

[Alan M · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable short novel, with more than a touch of Japanese fairy tale about it. 3.5 stars