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ヴァイオレット・エヴァーガーデン [Violet Evergarden] #1
ヴァイオレット・エヴァーガーデン 1 [Vaioretto evāgāden 1]
『自動手記人形（オート・メモリーズ・ドール）』その名が騒がれたのはもう随分前のこと。 オーランド博士が肉声の言葉を書き記す機械を作った。 当初は愛する妻のためだけに作られた機械だったが、いつしか世界に普及し、それを貸し出し提供する機関も出来た。 「お客様がお望みならどこでも駆けつけます。自動手記人形サービス、ヴァイオレット・エヴァーガーデンです」 物語から飛び出してきたような格好の金髪碧眼の女は無機質な美しさのまま玲瓏な声でそう言った。 ≪第5回京都アニメーション大賞 初の大賞受賞作！
348 pages, Paperback
First published December 25, 2015
109 people are currently reading
1812 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
November 15, 2025
“No, this one was the most ‘Beautiful'.” She said as she
pierced the brooch’s needle into her clothes, “It’s the same colour as Major’s eyes.”
I like how the novel is about Violet in general — her growth, development, and desire to discover the meaning of love — yet it is portrayed through the perspective of various characters. We observe her go from a soulless doll, a soldier whose sole mission was to kill, to the caring and loving person she was always, and who Gilbert always knew she could be if given the chance, via the eyes of others.
In the final chapter, I really liked how Gilbert and Violet's relationship progressed. It was incredible how the author depicted the Major's feelings for Violet, how protective he was, and all of the emotions that surrounded their love story.
You might like to wander through a few artistic journals — they’re full of sparks and surprises.
pierced the brooch’s needle into her clothes, “It’s the same colour as Major’s eyes.”
I like how the novel is about Violet in general — her growth, development, and desire to discover the meaning of love — yet it is portrayed through the perspective of various characters. We observe her go from a soulless doll, a soldier whose sole mission was to kill, to the caring and loving person she was always, and who Gilbert always knew she could be if given the chance, via the eyes of others.
In the final chapter, I really liked how Gilbert and Violet's relationship progressed. It was incredible how the author depicted the Major's feelings for Violet, how protective he was, and all of the emotions that surrounded their love story.
You might like to wander through a few artistic journals — they’re full of sparks and surprises.
August 24, 2019
TV series was very beautiful visually but the novel adds a lot of charm and depth to the whole story. All battle scenes are even more touching, and the moments during which I was crying watching the anime were even more moving here. It's very detailed, especially if you look at the relationship between Violet and Gilbert. Something that was missing from the anime.
Now I'll just go and cry reading the second volume...
Now I'll just go and cry reading the second volume...
August 24, 2021
Reto pendientes : 6. El número 500 de tu lista de pendientes de goodreads
Mi primer acercamiento a esta historia fue hace unos 2 o 3 años, cundo me vi el anime por recomendación de una amiga. Me encantó esa vez, si recuerdo que prácticamente me lloré todos los capítulos xd así que al encontrar esta novela ligera obviamente la iba leer y gracias al reto al fin lo pude hacer. Y para que mencionar que me pasó casi exactamente lo mismo que cuando la vi, solo que esta vez fue un poco más intenso porque hay muchas escenas donde lo hablado no es tan relevante en comparación a los pensamientos y emociones de los personajes, entonces al leerlo lo pude sentir aún más que al verlo.
La forma de contar esta historia es a través de relatos cortos, cada capítulo es una historia diferente pero a la vez se encuentran unidas por Violet (la protagonista) y pequeños detalles de su vida previa que se dejan entrever en cada capítulo. De hecho hay un capítulo que está muy conectado a su pasado, que cuando uno lo lee o ve sin saber casi nada de ella no lo nota y es fácil pasar por alto. Pero como ya me sabía eso, ahora lo vi y me emocione más al leerlo y saber por qué Violet actuó cómo actuó.
Para entrar un poco en contexto, Violet Evergarden es una auto memories doll pero aunque lo parece no es una muñeca, sino una joven de carne y hueso que tiene por oficio el plasmar los sentimientos de las personas a través de cartas, guiones o cualquier otro trabajo similar que requieran sus clientes. En el fondo, ella escribe y los clientes dictan.
"Me apresuro a cualquier lugar que mis clientes deseen. Soy del servicio de Auto-Memories Dolls, Violet Evergarden."
Con este trabajo ella viaja por diferentes partes para llegar hasta donde estén sus clientes y con eso es literalmente cualquier lugar, aunque sea un campo de batalla 😅
Lo mágico que tiene, es que aparte del trabajo escrito tiene la habilidad, aunque ella no lo note, de restaurar a las personas. Lo anterior sumado a que Violet en el pasado era una soldado, más bien un arma usaba para asesinar, crean una especie de dualidad en el personaje que me gusta mucho. Como se crean estas dos partes y como a pesar de todas las cosas del pasado ahora está viviendo y realizando una labor tan linda y que llena.
Por lo demás, hubieron un par de errores en la escritura que supongo es por la traducción asimismo las separaciones no eran tan claras. Tenía unas imágenes de vez en cuando de escenas significativas.
El capitulo 7 y último es el más largo en este volumen, de haberlo sabido hubiera parado al finalizar el seis que tuve que romper una de mis manías por culpa de la hora xd "no dejar capítulos a medias"
Otro punto, pero es algo que me gustaría leer en los volúmenes que me quedan y es que hubo dos historias que hacen mención de una Violet unos años después, pero no profundizan y la verdad es que al menos uno de ellos quiero que esté, muero por una continuación de ese capítulo en el futuro. 🤞🏻
Y para terminar unas palabras de la autora, puede ser un poquito largo pero me gustó así que lo quise dejar por aquí.
"Yo fallo y lloro a menudo. Pensé que lloraría menos cuando creciera, pero solo me volví más llorona. La única diferencia en la forma en que lloro ahora de la forma en que solía llorar cuando era niña es que mi yo actual se quita el barro de las rodillas por sí misma, se para de nuevo con la cara llena de lágrimas y reanuda la carrera a toda velocidad, usando su sufrimiento como combustible. El hecho de que no disminuí la velocidad, el hecho de que me fijé en la gente que me estaba observando mientras corría y recordé mostrarles mi gratitud... todo lo que sentí se vertió en Violet Evergarden. No es una historia muy feliz, porque la vida es dura.
No quiero que llegue el mañana. Aun así, en este mundo cruel, me conmueve hasta las lágrimas cada vez que suceden ocasionales momentos de asombro.
Yo creo que eso es hermoso. Si alguna vez se permitiera una historia así, querría escribir más sobre ella. Si hay alguien que ha leído hasta este punto que no desea que llegue el mañana, por favor no te rindas. Te estoy animando.
También quiero que me den ánimos, así que vamos a hacer que las cosas funcionen de alguna manera y hagamos todo lo posible. "
Mi primer acercamiento a esta historia fue hace unos 2 o 3 años, cundo me vi el anime por recomendación de una amiga. Me encantó esa vez, si recuerdo que prácticamente me lloré todos los capítulos xd así que al encontrar esta novela ligera obviamente la iba leer y gracias al reto al fin lo pude hacer. Y para que mencionar que me pasó casi exactamente lo mismo que cuando la vi, solo que esta vez fue un poco más intenso porque hay muchas escenas donde lo hablado no es tan relevante en comparación a los pensamientos y emociones de los personajes, entonces al leerlo lo pude sentir aún más que al verlo.
La forma de contar esta historia es a través de relatos cortos, cada capítulo es una historia diferente pero a la vez se encuentran unidas por Violet (la protagonista) y pequeños detalles de su vida previa que se dejan entrever en cada capítulo. De hecho hay un capítulo que está muy conectado a su pasado, que cuando uno lo lee o ve sin saber casi nada de ella no lo nota y es fácil pasar por alto. Pero como ya me sabía eso, ahora lo vi y me emocione más al leerlo y saber por qué Violet actuó cómo actuó.
Para entrar un poco en contexto, Violet Evergarden es una auto memories doll pero aunque lo parece no es una muñeca, sino una joven de carne y hueso que tiene por oficio el plasmar los sentimientos de las personas a través de cartas, guiones o cualquier otro trabajo similar que requieran sus clientes. En el fondo, ella escribe y los clientes dictan.
"Me apresuro a cualquier lugar que mis clientes deseen. Soy del servicio de Auto-Memories Dolls, Violet Evergarden."
Con este trabajo ella viaja por diferentes partes para llegar hasta donde estén sus clientes y con eso es literalmente cualquier lugar, aunque sea un campo de batalla 😅
Lo mágico que tiene, es que aparte del trabajo escrito tiene la habilidad, aunque ella no lo note, de restaurar a las personas. Lo anterior sumado a que Violet en el pasado era una soldado, más bien un arma usaba para asesinar, crean una especie de dualidad en el personaje que me gusta mucho. Como se crean estas dos partes y como a pesar de todas las cosas del pasado ahora está viviendo y realizando una labor tan linda y que llena.
Por lo demás, hubieron un par de errores en la escritura que supongo es por la traducción asimismo las separaciones no eran tan claras. Tenía unas imágenes de vez en cuando de escenas significativas.
El capitulo 7 y último es el más largo en este volumen, de haberlo sabido hubiera parado al finalizar el seis que tuve que romper una de mis manías por culpa de la hora xd "no dejar capítulos a medias"
Otro punto, pero es algo que me gustaría leer en los volúmenes que me quedan y es que hubo dos historias que hacen mención de una Violet unos años después, pero no profundizan y la verdad es que al menos uno de ellos quiero que esté, muero por una continuación de ese capítulo en el futuro. 🤞🏻
Y para terminar unas palabras de la autora, puede ser un poquito largo pero me gustó así que lo quise dejar por aquí.
"Yo fallo y lloro a menudo. Pensé que lloraría menos cuando creciera, pero solo me volví más llorona. La única diferencia en la forma en que lloro ahora de la forma en que solía llorar cuando era niña es que mi yo actual se quita el barro de las rodillas por sí misma, se para de nuevo con la cara llena de lágrimas y reanuda la carrera a toda velocidad, usando su sufrimiento como combustible. El hecho de que no disminuí la velocidad, el hecho de que me fijé en la gente que me estaba observando mientras corría y recordé mostrarles mi gratitud... todo lo que sentí se vertió en Violet Evergarden. No es una historia muy feliz, porque la vida es dura.
No quiero que llegue el mañana. Aun así, en este mundo cruel, me conmueve hasta las lágrimas cada vez que suceden ocasionales momentos de asombro.
Yo creo que eso es hermoso. Si alguna vez se permitiera una historia así, querría escribir más sobre ella. Si hay alguien que ha leído hasta este punto que no desea que llegue el mañana, por favor no te rindas. Te estoy animando.
También quiero que me den ánimos, así que vamos a hacer que las cosas funcionen de alguna manera y hagamos todo lo posible. "
December 31, 2017
Great, very interesting concept, I love multiple stories with one thing in common.
October 8, 2018
Well, my heart hurts now.
May 5, 2021
"She was a prodigy. If any gods that controlled death existed, surely she was dearly loved by them."
I got tired of waiting for Netflix to get me the movie, so I caved and picked up the light novels.
I could go on and on about the gorgeous animation of the show, so vibrant and bursting full of color, and the beautiful music so wonderfully poignant to each scene, and while those are both magical and lovely, the story and Violet’s character development are what obviously make the show and this book shine.
I love how the story is told; it’s Violet’s name in the title, but each chapter is framed by a new character narrating their first impressions of her and how she touched their souls and affected their lives.
I love how the story as a whole is about her—her growth, her development, her quest to find the meaning of love, but it is all told through the eyes of other people. Through the eyes of others, we see her shift from an emotionless doll, a soldier whose only purpose was to kill, to the compassionate and kind person she always was, who Gilbert always knew she could be if given the chance.
I love, love, love, this form of narrative so much. It is so beautifully done in Violet Evergarden, and it shows how each side character has their own story to tell. They’re not just stepping stones in her quest of finding the meaning of love.
We feel her loneliness, her ache, her confusion, and loss. And with her, we too learn the meaning of “I love you.”
I will never stop shouting poetics about this series. I will admit I think I prefer some of the changes the anime made, especially regarding the story with the playwright, and how the story begins, this book is also a lot darker and kind of icky at times, but I’m still glad I decided to read it!
It’s been great seeing inside more of the character's heads, and getting all the details the anime skipped. I’m having so much fun even as I want to cry after every chapter. On to book two!
September 19, 2019
Que bonito es este libro. Ojalá estuviese traducido al castellano oficialmente, porque esta traducción hace perder mucho al libro, y aún así, es una historia increíble.
Es difícil verse a veces en el lugar de Violet, que no es más que una niña que nació para matar y no sabe nada de sentimientos, ni cómo expresarlos, ni cuales son las palabras que los definen, entre otras cosas.
Tanto es así, que más que una niña, la mayoría del tiempo se la puede confundir con una máquina, ya que solo actúa ante órdenes.
Lo bueno es que en esta novela, sabes que algo ocurre en ella, por lo que acaba siendo una Auto Memory Doll, una amanuense, y escribe cartas de sus clientes expresando en ellas los sentimientos de éstos a través de las palabras.
Ahora toca el segundo volumen, para seguir descubriendo más cosas de Violet.
P.D.- Quién no haya visto el anime de Violet Evergarden, ya lo esta yendo a ver en Netflix.
Es difícil verse a veces en el lugar de Violet, que no es más que una niña que nació para matar y no sabe nada de sentimientos, ni cómo expresarlos, ni cuales son las palabras que los definen, entre otras cosas.
Tanto es así, que más que una niña, la mayoría del tiempo se la puede confundir con una máquina, ya que solo actúa ante órdenes.
Lo bueno es que en esta novela, sabes que algo ocurre en ella, por lo que acaba siendo una Auto Memory Doll, una amanuense, y escribe cartas de sus clientes expresando en ellas los sentimientos de éstos a través de las palabras.
Ahora toca el segundo volumen, para seguir descubriendo más cosas de Violet.
P.D.- Quién no haya visto el anime de Violet Evergarden, ya lo esta yendo a ver en Netflix.
October 31, 2021
CW: attempted sexual assault, attempted sexual assault against children
An interesting but rather badly written and framed story about a letter writer/observer who was formerly a child soldier/weapon that I'm kind of amazed was somehow turned into the rather enjoyable Netflix series and films by Kyoto Animation.
I'm only reading a translation, so maybe in Japanese it's much better, but the prose is halting and frustrating, and character development is bizarre. It's not a fun read by any stretch of the imagination, even before you look at the actual despicable content.
If you're looking for what inspired parts of the series, four of the chapters in this novel were adapted into episodes in the anime, along with part of chapter six. Chapter five, which is about Violet visiting a prisoner, was not, likely to keep the show rating down, and likely for the same reason parts of chapter six did not make it into the anime and films almost entirely. Chapter six concerns the time Dietfried gave Violet to Gilbert, and actually details more about Dietfried and Violet's first meeting, Dietfried's thoughts on the matter, more about Dietfried and Gilbert's relationship, and Gilbert training Violet to be more useful to him on the battlefield.
Most of the chapters are from the point of view of male characters looking at Violet, save for one chapter, often in ways that objectify her, mentioning their own lust and sexism. As we're never given a window into Violet's POV, it keeps her thoughts and reasoning closed off, and is kind of... creepy to read, honestly. You can only read so many times , or how weird total strangers were to her as an adult. The anime modified this by keeping the focus on Violet for almost the entire story, save in a few cases where the POV was on clients, and Violet often felt just as much an active participant in the POV as the clients were. In the anime, a few male clients were also not given POV roles, or their roles were minimized, so it helped a lot. And the emphasis was most often on the fact that we were in Violet's head, not theirs.
While I do appreciate learning more about Violet and Dietfried and Gilbert's backstories, and even Hodgins to some extent, I feel like we only have more questions, and the answers we got only make this universe stranger. I suppose you could argue that war is hell and soldiers and their commanding officers often make horrendous decisions, so that's accurate, but the entire scenario of how Violet ended up at Gilbert's side is... even more ridiculous when told almost in full like this.
It's really not a great read. I'd suggest just watching the anime.
An interesting but rather badly written and framed story about a letter writer/observer who was formerly a child soldier/weapon that I'm kind of amazed was somehow turned into the rather enjoyable Netflix series and films by Kyoto Animation.
I'm only reading a translation, so maybe in Japanese it's much better, but the prose is halting and frustrating, and character development is bizarre. It's not a fun read by any stretch of the imagination, even before you look at the actual despicable content.
If you're looking for what inspired parts of the series, four of the chapters in this novel were adapted into episodes in the anime, along with part of chapter six. Chapter five, which is about Violet visiting a prisoner, was not, likely to keep the show rating down, and likely for the same reason parts of chapter six did not make it into the anime and films almost entirely. Chapter six concerns the time Dietfried gave Violet to Gilbert, and actually details more about Dietfried and Violet's first meeting, Dietfried's thoughts on the matter, more about Dietfried and Gilbert's relationship, and Gilbert training Violet to be more useful to him on the battlefield.
Most of the chapters are from the point of view of male characters looking at Violet, save for one chapter, often in ways that objectify her, mentioning their own lust and sexism. As we're never given a window into Violet's POV, it keeps her thoughts and reasoning closed off, and is kind of... creepy to read, honestly. You can only read so many times , or how weird total strangers were to her as an adult. The anime modified this by keeping the focus on Violet for almost the entire story, save in a few cases where the POV was on clients, and Violet often felt just as much an active participant in the POV as the clients were. In the anime, a few male clients were also not given POV roles, or their roles were minimized, so it helped a lot. And the emphasis was most often on the fact that we were in Violet's head, not theirs.
While I do appreciate learning more about Violet and Dietfried and Gilbert's backstories, and even Hodgins to some extent, I feel like we only have more questions, and the answers we got only make this universe stranger. I suppose you could argue that war is hell and soldiers and their commanding officers often make horrendous decisions, so that's accurate, but the entire scenario of how Violet ended up at Gilbert's side is... even more ridiculous when told almost in full like this.
It's really not a great read. I'd suggest just watching the anime.
June 23, 2020
Final rating: 4.75/5
This book is amazing, wonderful and gorgeously written.
It's a combination of short stories of people with whom Violet Evergarden, the protagonist, comes in contact with.
Her job is simple - to write and deliver letters to people who can't afford to do it on their own. Therefore she meets many different kinds of personalities, and slowly recovers herself.
Being Violet Evergarden was never simple. She was raised as a weapon, abnormal creature and not a human, until someone saved her.
And now, years after, after she experienced loss, she goes on journey to deliver the intentions and hearts of other people, while also discovering herself and her emotions in the process.
Many stories will make you cry. Many people that Violet Garden goes through differ, including soldier, serial killer, a father, an astronomer...
There is also anime adaption of it, with gorgeous effects, but I prefer to suggest reading the book. It's much more interesting knowing what's going on inside her head! And I was shocked and kind of disappointed with all the changes in the anime... (they removed her giant axe... i'll never stop being bitter about it).
OVERALL:
Characters: 5 - Violet is amazing, she goes from feeling nothing to feeling so much.
Side characters: 5 - also great, so many feels around them.
Story: 4.5 - easy to follow, with timeskips in between. Top notch translation and beautiful dialogues.
emotional impact: 5 - I cried a lot. This book is a journey of rediscovery of emotions and what it means being human being
This book is amazing, wonderful and gorgeously written.
It's a combination of short stories of people with whom Violet Evergarden, the protagonist, comes in contact with.
Her job is simple - to write and deliver letters to people who can't afford to do it on their own. Therefore she meets many different kinds of personalities, and slowly recovers herself.
Being Violet Evergarden was never simple. She was raised as a weapon, abnormal creature and not a human, until someone saved her.
And now, years after, after she experienced loss, she goes on journey to deliver the intentions and hearts of other people, while also discovering herself and her emotions in the process.
Many stories will make you cry. Many people that Violet Garden goes through differ, including soldier, serial killer, a father, an astronomer...
There is also anime adaption of it, with gorgeous effects, but I prefer to suggest reading the book. It's much more interesting knowing what's going on inside her head! And I was shocked and kind of disappointed with all the changes in the anime... (they removed her giant axe... i'll never stop being bitter about it).
OVERALL:
Characters: 5 - Violet is amazing, she goes from feeling nothing to feeling so much.
Side characters: 5 - also great, so many feels around them.
Story: 4.5 - easy to follow, with timeskips in between. Top notch translation and beautiful dialogues.
emotional impact: 5 - I cried a lot. This book is a journey of rediscovery of emotions and what it means being human being
September 6, 2020
I'm so overwhelmed and moved by this book, especially the last chapter. Even though I already know the story, even though I've already seen the anime; the details and the depth of the story were too much to handle. Reading Violet Evergarden felt like having consecutive heart breaks, i couldn't bring myself to continue reading when i was feeling down or sad.
Violet is such a special and original character, I don't think there is a similar story to hers. Her story and the narration made me see things differently and ask myself questions, questions that we usually never or rarely ask because we take the little things for granted, and we don't know how essential they are to life.
I'm not gonna read the second volume until the movie is out, i want to have the same experience all over again, and i bet this time it will be even stronger. five starts because this novel is a masterpiece.
Violet is such a special and original character, I don't think there is a similar story to hers. Her story and the narration made me see things differently and ask myself questions, questions that we usually never or rarely ask because we take the little things for granted, and we don't know how essential they are to life.
I'm not gonna read the second volume until the movie is out, i want to have the same experience all over again, and i bet this time it will be even stronger. five starts because this novel is a masterpiece.
November 3, 2021
The more you read, the more you will be inspired to go on a journey with Violet, the stories when finished reading brings intense emotional aftertaste, from family love, sacred motherhood to secret love, feelings and emotions. The feeling of longing for someone, or the feeling of despair, the prison wants to destroy the unjust world...
"I’m Violet Evergarden, the Auto Memories Doll who will rush to provide service anywhere you wish."...
"I’m Violet Evergarden, the Auto Memories Doll who will rush to provide service anywhere you wish."...
March 1, 2020
El anime no nos muestra todo. La novela ha sido fascinante, dolorosa y sencilla
May 20, 2020
خیلی قشنگ بود 🥺 سر فرصت یه ریویوی کوتاه مینویسم
May 30, 2022
Violet Evergarden is one of my favorite anime series, but unfortunately the light novel series it's based on hasn't received an official English translation. After finding a decent fan translation I can say that Violet's tale is every bit as charming in written form. The story, for those unfamiliar, takes place in a fantasy/very light steampunk realm reminiscent of interwar Europe. The title character is a former child soldier traumatized by the war and barely able to understand emotions, who finds a second life as an "Auto-Memory Doll" - a ghostwriter who provides letter-writing services to people unable to express themselves. In a series of charming vignettes, Violet works for a collection of equally fractured clients (a playwright who's lost his wife, a dying woman hoping to forge a lasting connection with her young daughter, a dying soldier and a lovelorn astronomy student) while slowly rediscovering her own humanity. Author Kana Atasuki gently sketches a world scarred by perpetual conflict, which offers hope through human connections that provide them the will to move on. The novel lands some heavy emotional beats, with each chapter a finely-crafted short story that stands on its own (I challenge anyone to read the story about the girl and her mother without tearing up). One area the novel lacks compared to the anime is that it views Violet almost entirely through the eyes of other characters; while this makes sense considering how reserved and opaque she is, lacking the series' looks into her interior life shortchanges her character development into fleeting flickers of personality. It also, unfortunately, means that several male characters objectify Violet much more than occurs in the show. But the hopeful message and tear-jerking story remain intact, providing readers with a compelling look at how hope for the future can overcome pain from the past.
September 14, 2019
Magnifique histoire très poignante et prenante! Violet Evergarden est" un outil " qui a servir le commandant Major . Pendant toute ses années,elle a créer des liens avec . Hélas, elle le perd de vue à la fin de la guerre ..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2024
no he podido evitar empezarme la serie otra vez 😞
October 15, 2020
"No existe carta que no necesite ser entregada"
February 28, 2023
Un libro que no pensé que llegaría a leerlo pero tendré que decir que valió la pena, cada capitulo muy bueno, me gustó como avanzando la historia y no me quejo del final👌
November 26, 2021
Just like volume 1, this is a very interesting look at the story that inspired the actually enjoyable anime series and films of the same name, while also being extremely abysmal. Even ignoring how it was adapted, it's neither a good story on its own, nor a good example of war stories, stories about PTSD, stories about grief, or stories about friendship. It actually... doesn't even do a good job of being about letter writing or why that matters. You could argue that even the anime and films aren't solely about letter writing, they're about character relationships and providing comfort and an opportunity for clear communication, and that's true here as well, but it's far easier to forget that in the books than in the show. At least the show makes a habit of popping up a typewriter a few times every episode.
The reason it's called "Violet Evergarden" is because the series' sole focus is that Violet is a beautiful person. Physically. Possibly mentally, as well. We don't really know because we're never really given her POV in the books, and most of the time is spent on other characters remarking how physically beautiful she is. Why does that matter? Because it's more important than like... the plot, apparently.
Again, I'm reading a translation, so maybe this is really amazing in Japanese. Maybe there are better translators out there. But with what I have, this was quite frankly an extremely miserable experience. The writing, pacing, and dialogue are still terrible, the plot is confusing at the best of times, and relationships are silly at best. Since so much was modified in the adaptation, it's not even that enlightening about character and worldbuilding backstory, though it does fill in a few blanks.
For a short summary:
- Most of chapter 1 was left unadapted, though modifications of it are used in the anime and films.
- A large chunk of chapter 2 was adapted for the beginning of the anime, heavily modified
- Chapters 3 and 4 were not adapted at all.
- Chapters 5 and 6 were partially adapted, maybe? But they're unrecognizable.
- Chapter 7 was adapted but also HEAVILY modified into multiple episodes of the anime (the train episodes) and the final film
Most every character is far more dickish than their show and film personas, and they aren't interesting to read about. If you love any character from the anime and/or films, save for a few clients, the novels will likely make you angry, because not a single one of them is an enjoyable character to know or read about. I was actually reading these to get more backstory on Dietfried, and yes, that's a weird proposition given who he is, and you do learn a lot more about him and his relationships with Gilbert and Violet in the novels, but he is also far, far worse in the novels. If you come out of these books hating any character here, except maybe this one guy from volume 1 who was in a chapter that never got adapted, I would highly suggest watching the adaptation, because the characters by and large are actually decent, or at least enjoyable to watch. If you want to know more about Gilbert and Dietfried's relationship in particular, the novels are a great place to look, particularly volume 2.
There's less sexual harassment towards Violet this novel than there was in volume 1, so at least that's a nice change.
This novel shows where Kyoto Animation made the most departures from the source material, and basically every departure was for the better. The final chapter encapsulates plot that was used for the train episodes and the final film, and if you've finished the series and watched that film first, you may be deeply confused. The final film is basically an OVA. The anime modifications also make what is a bizarre story make actual sense.
Two chapters of this were left unadapted entirely, one of which excluded a character from the main cast. It's unfortunate, .
Like the first novel, I would suggest skipping this entirely and just watching the anime and films. Much that was good about these was adapted, and the rest is best forgotten/never known. The anime and films are genuinely good, and there's the lovely animation and music to look forward to as well. These books keep getting longer and while the writing is in some ways improving, it's more of a slog to get through, because the writing is still so bad. Volume 2 is better than volume 1, but that's a VERY low bar, and volume 2 barely scrapes over it.
The reason it's called "Violet Evergarden" is because the series' sole focus is that Violet is a beautiful person. Physically. Possibly mentally, as well. We don't really know because we're never really given her POV in the books, and most of the time is spent on other characters remarking how physically beautiful she is. Why does that matter? Because it's more important than like... the plot, apparently.
Again, I'm reading a translation, so maybe this is really amazing in Japanese. Maybe there are better translators out there. But with what I have, this was quite frankly an extremely miserable experience. The writing, pacing, and dialogue are still terrible, the plot is confusing at the best of times, and relationships are silly at best. Since so much was modified in the adaptation, it's not even that enlightening about character and worldbuilding backstory, though it does fill in a few blanks.
For a short summary:
- Most of chapter 1 was left unadapted, though modifications of it are used in the anime and films.
- A large chunk of chapter 2 was adapted for the beginning of the anime, heavily modified
- Chapters 3 and 4 were not adapted at all.
- Chapters 5 and 6 were partially adapted, maybe? But they're unrecognizable.
- Chapter 7 was adapted but also HEAVILY modified into multiple episodes of the anime (the train episodes) and the final film
Most every character is far more dickish than their show and film personas, and they aren't interesting to read about. If you love any character from the anime and/or films, save for a few clients, the novels will likely make you angry, because not a single one of them is an enjoyable character to know or read about. I was actually reading these to get more backstory on Dietfried, and yes, that's a weird proposition given who he is, and you do learn a lot more about him and his relationships with Gilbert and Violet in the novels, but he is also far, far worse in the novels. If you come out of these books hating any character here, except maybe this one guy from volume 1 who was in a chapter that never got adapted, I would highly suggest watching the adaptation, because the characters by and large are actually decent, or at least enjoyable to watch. If you want to know more about Gilbert and Dietfried's relationship in particular, the novels are a great place to look, particularly volume 2.
There's less sexual harassment towards Violet this novel than there was in volume 1, so at least that's a nice change.
This novel shows where Kyoto Animation made the most departures from the source material, and basically every departure was for the better. The final chapter encapsulates plot that was used for the train episodes and the final film, and if you've finished the series and watched that film first, you may be deeply confused. The final film is basically an OVA. The anime modifications also make what is a bizarre story make actual sense.
Two chapters of this were left unadapted entirely, one of which excluded a character from the main cast. It's unfortunate, .
Like the first novel, I would suggest skipping this entirely and just watching the anime and films. Much that was good about these was adapted, and the rest is best forgotten/never known. The anime and films are genuinely good, and there's the lovely animation and music to look forward to as well. These books keep getting longer and while the writing is in some ways improving, it's more of a slog to get through, because the writing is still so bad. Volume 2 is better than volume 1, but that's a VERY low bar, and volume 2 barely scrapes over it.
February 18, 2018
Wow, this book left me a lot of different emotions!
First of all, here I let you a general summary of the book:
Well, this story is about Violet Evergarden and her work as Auto-Memory Doll, where she goes to many places writing letters for different people. Each chapter contains a main character(s) with their specific reasons why they need the help of Violet. Throughout the story is possible to get attached to Violet and the people involved with her, to comprehend violet's past and the place where the story is located.
*************************SPOILERS**********************************************
OMG I love Gilbert with all my heart!!! I loved how Gilbert and Violet developed their relationship in the last chapter! It was amazing how the author showed the Major's feelings towards Violet, how protective he was and all the emotions involved in their love story.
Here some of my favorite quotes:
-“No, this one was the most ‘beautiful’.” She said as she
pierced the brooch’s needle into her clothes, “It’s the same color as Major’s eyes.”
——Why… are you… saying that my eyes are beautiful… at a time like this?
“I have always…thought they were ‘beautiful’. But I did not know the word, so I had never said it.” As if she could not accurately put the brooch on, she thrust the needle continuously. “But Major’s eyes, from the moment we met, were ‘beautiful’.”
-She stared at Gilbert’s green orbs as if they were something dazzling. “I will protect you.” Her words held no lies.“Please do not ever doubt this. I am ‘yours’.”
——If possible, I want to prepare an escape route only for you and make you promise not to come
back to me ever again. I… understand it perfectly now.
——I am… a deadly poison for you.
“But this is an order: no matter what, don’t die.”
“Yes, I will definitely live and protect you, Major.”
“Good girl.”
——You’ve really… become able to speak so well. You’ve grown up. You are… not a ‘thing’.
“But that’s my line.”
Regarding the other characters, Oscar and Edward were my favorites! Despite Edwards was a little asshole at the beginning, I could understand him. And Oscar and his sad past was so heartbreaking, how he saw Violet and remembered his own daughter, it just broke my heart into little pieces. Of course that Ann and her mother were great characters too. All related to this novel was spectacular!! 100% recommended
First of all, here I let you a general summary of the book:
Well, this story is about Violet Evergarden and her work as Auto-Memory Doll, where she goes to many places writing letters for different people. Each chapter contains a main character(s) with their specific reasons why they need the help of Violet. Throughout the story is possible to get attached to Violet and the people involved with her, to comprehend violet's past and the place where the story is located.
*************************SPOILERS**********************************************
OMG I love Gilbert with all my heart!!! I loved how Gilbert and Violet developed their relationship in the last chapter! It was amazing how the author showed the Major's feelings towards Violet, how protective he was and all the emotions involved in their love story.
Here some of my favorite quotes:
-“No, this one was the most ‘beautiful’.” She said as she
pierced the brooch’s needle into her clothes, “It’s the same color as Major’s eyes.”
——Why… are you… saying that my eyes are beautiful… at a time like this?
“I have always…thought they were ‘beautiful’. But I did not know the word, so I had never said it.” As if she could not accurately put the brooch on, she thrust the needle continuously. “But Major’s eyes, from the moment we met, were ‘beautiful’.”
-She stared at Gilbert’s green orbs as if they were something dazzling. “I will protect you.” Her words held no lies.“Please do not ever doubt this. I am ‘yours’.”
——If possible, I want to prepare an escape route only for you and make you promise not to come
back to me ever again. I… understand it perfectly now.
——I am… a deadly poison for you.
“But this is an order: no matter what, don’t die.”
“Yes, I will definitely live and protect you, Major.”
“Good girl.”
——You’ve really… become able to speak so well. You’ve grown up. You are… not a ‘thing’.
“But that’s my line.”
Regarding the other characters, Oscar and Edward were my favorites! Despite Edwards was a little asshole at the beginning, I could understand him. And Oscar and his sad past was so heartbreaking, how he saw Violet and remembered his own daughter, it just broke my heart into little pieces. Of course that Ann and her mother were great characters too. All related to this novel was spectacular!! 100% recommended
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2023
Weird. Why did violet have to end up with gilbert in the end when their relationship could actually pass as father-daughter. She was like, what, 10(?) when they first met and Gilbert, I think was the name of the man ( sorry I'm lousy with names ), was like 20???? (edit- when gilbert, the said guy lol, already had thoughts of violet as beautiful in a way that it makes me think there were feelings already)
November 15, 2025
A rollercoaster of emotions. Joy, despair, love, frustration. I hope one day this gets an official English translation (even though it is a false hope). I think there are definitely things lost in translation, especially in the last chapter.
Favorite Quote:
"Even many years after our first meeting, I have a hunch that she definitely won’t have changed a thing. With her beautiful eyes and voice that has a sweet ring to it, she will write about my love for my own daughter. Violet Evergarden is that kind of woman – the one that does not disappoint. On the contrary, she was the type of Auto-Memories Doll that one would want to witness doing her work once more. When I see her again, I shall thank her and apologize to her without reserve. After all, I’m no longer that girl who could do nothing but cry.
Ann Magnolia would never forget the woman who had embraced her back when she was small."
Favorite Quote:
"Even many years after our first meeting, I have a hunch that she definitely won’t have changed a thing. With her beautiful eyes and voice that has a sweet ring to it, she will write about my love for my own daughter. Violet Evergarden is that kind of woman – the one that does not disappoint. On the contrary, she was the type of Auto-Memories Doll that one would want to witness doing her work once more. When I see her again, I shall thank her and apologize to her without reserve. After all, I’m no longer that girl who could do nothing but cry.
Ann Magnolia would never forget the woman who had embraced her back when she was small."
Read
March 28, 2025I wish I was as cool as Violet Evergarden.
You wish you were as cool as Violet Evergarden.
Violet Evergarden the myth, the legend.
The stunning beauty Violet Evergarden.
Violet “definitely did not commit warcrimes” Evergarden.
I liked the novel more than the animation. Sure, it’s simple prose and tear jerker stories with nice twists. But it also shows you a different part of the main character and the world the anime only alludes to at best. There’s a very violent flipside to the “beautiful” story.
You wish you were as cool as Violet Evergarden.
Violet Evergarden the myth, the legend.
The stunning beauty Violet Evergarden.
Violet “definitely did not commit warcrimes” Evergarden.
I liked the novel more than the animation. Sure, it’s simple prose and tear jerker stories with nice twists. But it also shows you a different part of the main character and the world the anime only alludes to at best. There’s a very violent flipside to the “beautiful” story.
February 2, 2018
Veldig fint/poetisk skrevet:) og veldig fint konsept(å lete etter meningen til "I love you")
men har en uvane med å sitte utålmodig og vente på at slutten skal komme sånn at det jeg har ventet på endelig skjer - så det er ikke alltid jeg setter like stor pris på resten av handlingen som forfatteren sikkert vil at jeg skal x) Ville gjerne hatt litt mer romantikk på slutten også x)
men har en uvane med å sitte utålmodig og vente på at slutten skal komme sånn at det jeg har ventet på endelig skjer - så det er ikke alltid jeg setter like stor pris på resten av handlingen som forfatteren sikkert vil at jeg skal x) Ville gjerne hatt litt mer romantikk på slutten også x)
July 24, 2019
Sebenarnya light novel ini bagus, hanya entah karena saya sedang ngantuk atau ga mood bacanya, chapter terakhir ga ngena ke saya. Lebih suka lima chapter sebelumnya. Dari keseluruhan novel, tidak semua chapter diadaptasi ke animenya. Violet Evergarden berisi 6 chapter dengan bentuk episodik, jadi per chapter beda cerita. Terjemahan resminya sendiri belum ada, kalau ada yang mau baca mungkin bisa unduh ebook terjemahan inggrisnya di archive.org
February 12, 2021
A bit of drama but good for your heart, amazing landscapes, a doll who is a badass soldier recovering her life. I wish things have occurred differently because I love love stories but it was beautifully done.
August 18, 2019
Me encantó el anime y tenía que leerme esta novela ligera. Personalmente me gusta más como te cuentan la historia en el anime. Aun así eso no le quita ser una bella historia.
May 12, 2020
LOVE IT
CRIED SOOOOOOO MUCH.
CRIED SOOOOOOO MUCH.
Read
March 25, 2022no rating, since this is a fan translation.
September 9, 2022
now whenever I listen to the ost of the anime I feel like crying
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