撫物語 [Nademonogatari]

Monogatari #16

by NisiOisiN

かつて神様だった少女・千石撫子。夢を追い、現実に追いつめられる彼女は、式神童女・斧乃木余接の力を借りて、分身をつくることに成功する。
しかし4人の「撫子」達は、ばらばらに逃げ出してしまい……?
これぞ現代の怪異! 怪異! 怪異!
自分さえ、手に負えないのが青春だ。

Genres: Light Novel, Manga, Japanese Literature

245 pages, Paperback

Published July 28, 2016

About the author

Nisio Isin (西尾維新 Nishio Ishin), frequently written as NisiOisiN to emphasize that his pen name is a palindrome, is a Japanese novelist and manga writer. He attended and left Ritsumeikan University without graduating. In 2002, he debuted with the novel Kubikiri Cycle, which earned him the 23rd Mephisto Award at twenty years of age.

He currently works with Kodansha on Pandora, the Kodansha Box magazine, and Faust, a literary magazine containing the works of other young authors who similarly take influence from light novels and otaku culture. He was also publishing a twelve volume series over twelve months for the Kodansha Box line; Ryusui Seiryoin was matching this output, and the Kodansha Box website stated that this is the first time in the world two authors have done twelve volume monthly novel series simultaneously from the same publisher.

In February, 2008, his novel Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases was released in English by Viz Media. Del Rey Manga has already released the first volume in his Zaregoto series. His Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari and Katanagatari novels have been adapted into anime series. Nekomonogatari (Kuro) has been adapted into an anime TV movie, and Kizumonogatari will be release in theaters this year. Monogatari Series: Second Season, adapted from 6 books in Monogatari Series will air in July 2013. Another of his works, Medaka Box (manga), has been adapted into a two-season anime series.

Reviews

[Titan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite what my last review said about picking books that are more in line with my level of N2, I was about 100 pages off the end of this book so decided after reading that one I should finish this one. Going from that book to this one was a bit harder but not really much more exhausting. My reading time definitely slowed as I found words I had never seen before, whereas before I recognised all the words even if I could not remember their meanings. Overall this book wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and besides having to do other things with my day, if I had the time I think I could have read the remaining pages in one sitting, although I ended up splitting it 50/50 over two days. Reading a couple books from this series previously has definitely helped me get used to the style and I am understanding probably 80% at the moment and definitely enough to enjoy it but for the sake of keeping up consistency and preventing burnout I will be reading more N2 level books for my challenge.

[Jordan DeMoura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This installment fits in with Koimonogatari and Nekomonogatari (Shiro) in the pantheon of all-time best monogatari volumes. This series is always at its best when it is committing to deep character exploration and this arc titled 'Nadeko Draw' certainly does not disappoint in this regard. This serves as a wonderful capstone to Nadeko's character over the course of 20 books, and cements her even more as one of the most rewarding characters in this series. Furthermore, it seamlessly weaves together various thematic threads around identity; it emphasizes the way that all people are merely works-in-progress, always striving to be better than they were previously while continually acknowledging that their previous selves are not distinct entities and strangers like we tend to think of them as. Rather, our past selves are fundamental and necessary to forming our current persona, which will inevitably serve as a building block or step along the way to another identity in the future. These past selves are still us, and it's important to treasure them and honor them in spite of their flaws.

Nisio Isin at his thoughtful, literary best. I know a lot of people are critical of the post-zoku owarimonogatari material in this series but this installment alone justifies it all.

[yuqumi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because I will stand by you for eternity.

[donovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Sengoku Nadeko. Fifteen years of age.
Developing, growing, wandering.”

Nademonogatari, or Caressing Tale, is a brilliant name for Nadeko’s argument with her different selves. It carries similar weight to Hanekawa’s Neko White, where our narrator accepts their past and the fact that they are changing, except in Nadeko’s case she hasn’t moved for the past year. I think it’s such a great concept to materialize her past selves, chase them, and accept them. Especially the ending twist of Gentle Nadeko being the “mastermind”, but the one she caresses and pats on the head, like Big Sis Sodachi. There’s so much more I could say, and that build-up to that self-declaration at the end was unreal. The usual humor is so good in this as well, with Ononoki and Ougi—one of the series' highlights, and The Off-Season's main attraction. Moved me.
9/10

[Mega · Rating 4 out of 5]

9/10