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Spinning Silk #1
Spinning Silk
A weaver’s genius ignites the jealousy of her peers, the possessiveness of her mill’s proprietress and the hopes of an unborn nation.
Furi knows she was born to create, but the fabric of her life otherwise weaves mysteries. These things are more than they appear:
Shin, the gardener, with his unlikely power over life and death;
A mysterious illness with a selective death route;
Kitsuke artist Madame Sato, who would fashion Furi into a reincarnation of her own dead daughter;
The princess of a puppet emperor, who has strange loyalties to a humble gardener; and
The vaporous rumor of a war with no apparent aggressor.
Spinning Silk is Inspired by Japanese folklore including the love story of Orihime and Hikoboshi as well as a radical reimagining of the terrible tsuchigumo (spider spirits) and jorogumo demons.
Furi knows she was born to create, but the fabric of her life otherwise weaves mysteries. These things are more than they appear:
Shin, the gardener, with his unlikely power over life and death;
A mysterious illness with a selective death route;
Kitsuke artist Madame Sato, who would fashion Furi into a reincarnation of her own dead daughter;
The princess of a puppet emperor, who has strange loyalties to a humble gardener; and
The vaporous rumor of a war with no apparent aggressor.
Spinning Silk is Inspired by Japanese folklore including the love story of Orihime and Hikoboshi as well as a radical reimagining of the terrible tsuchigumo (spider spirits) and jorogumo demons.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2018
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293 people want to read
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November 23, 2018
Check out more reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...
A weaver’s genius ignites the jealousy of her peers, the possessiveness of her mill’s proprietress and the hopes of an unborn nation. Furi knows she was born to create, but the fabric of her life otherwise weaves mysteries. These things are more than they appear: Shin, the gardener, with his unlikely power over life and death; A mysterious illness with a selective death route; Kitsuke artist Madame Sato, who would fashion Furi into a reincarnation of her own dead daughter; The princess of a puppet emperor, who has strange loyalties to a humble gardener; and The vaporous rumor of a war with no apparent aggressor.
The short review...
I was a touch uncertain when I first started Spinning Silk, wondering if it would be too realistically depressing for me to stick with, but GAAAAAHHHHHHH no it was quite good and totally captured me. I read it in two days and it only took me that long because those were really busy days. This isn't your typical Asian fantasy at all. First of all it is a standalone that is complete at the end of the book. Second it is a retelling of some Japanese folklore as stated in the premise including the love story of Orihime and Hikoboshi as well as spider spirits and jorogumo demons. BUT its like no retelling you've ever read!
What I'm saying is that if you aren't a fan of the supernatural or of magic you will still love this book. And if you are a fan of the supernatural but don't mind it being written as if it were real then you will still love this book! That was the overarching feeling that Spinning Silk gave me... Oh my freaking gosh what the hell is happening here?! Is this some kind of embellished history diary?! I was quite captured by Furi and her life as a silk weaver. We get everything through her POV and you really start to worry about what she worries about.
You aren't always certain what exactly is going on... much like Furi herself, but like her you make what conclusions you can and you keep moving. I really felt like I was on the edge of my seat as things continued to develop. I was also dying to learn what was up with Shin!! What did his predictions mean?! I couldn't even hope to guess even though I did wonder about some things and waited for them to be revealed or not. The flow of time was also quite unusual and almost took on a dreamy quality.
I was captivated by the storytelling AND writing style and will certainly be reading T. Cook again.
Cover & Title grade -> A-
I'm totally not sure what the cover is a photograph of but it sure is cool and draws me in. I wish I knew how it related to the story but nevertheless it is intriguing. I don't even mind the gold title with all the spiderwebs all over it. For an indie cover I think it is quite good and will do its job when readers are scrolling for a book to read. The title makes you want to check out the premise... and I think the premise is really where a reader will be captured! The great thing is the book delivers on its promises!
Why did I adore Spinning Silk so much?
-Spider Spirit Mythology.
T. Cook is masterful at revealing back history in the moment that we need it yet making it feel natural to learn at that moment. There was no extreme info dumping and I really appreciated that... So we learned about the spider spirits slowly over the course of the story as different events brought the same knowledge to light for Furi. Masterful...
-The weaving art!
There is this sense of history and reality to the story even though I've never lived in historic Japan I couldn't help feeling that I was really there. That I was a master weaver who had the weight of an entire mill on my shoulders due to the jealousy and possessiveness of the mill owner. Such a world of women too! I quite understand though the weaver's life and how out of control you are when talented...
-The Love Affair.
Oddly this is a story of a woman trying to make it in a world that is against her every step of the way. She has a way of getting out of the worst of circumstances but that scares her even worse that what would have otherwise happened to her! The romance doesn't take center stage and yet it is gorgeous and beautiful and heart rending!! It's woven into Fumi's story and is always there out of sight, very much like the magic in the story. When you get the full frontal its powerful and bowls you over...
-Politics rule the world.
We start out in a silk mill with a slave girl and we work up to the greatest position in the land. The journey that Fumi makes is just as much a political one as a love story or a woman empowerment one. So much happens off the page, T. Cook keeps our focus tight on Fumi but those powers are at work and it comes together to take your breathe away.
As a Writer...
If you read my 4 points above you can see that I was bowled over by how the different elements were woven together. Elements that eclipse Furi's small story about a slave girl but also somehow are effected by that slave girl. I'll use the word again, its quite masterful!
Yet, I'm not sure that I found Furi an admirable character... she was real, raw, womanly, strong, weak and yet fighting. She was so many things that she simply existed. I find that a much bigger compliment than anything else I could say about her. I couldn't be put in her same situation without breaking...
Spinning Silk totally took my breath away. I LOVED it... I've read many Asian books this year as a major Asian culture fan, but this little standalone indie may well be my favorite out of all the others. It's mythology that is so real that its not magic, its not history, its reality. I totally recommend anyone with even a slight interest in Asian history and culture to give Spinning Silk and T. Cook a chance to wow them. This is why I love reading indie books, you never know what you might be missing.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authenticity
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Writing Style
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Plot & Pacing
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ World Building
Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. It has not influenced my opinions.
______________________
You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my special perspective at the bottom of my reviews under the typewriter...
Please like this review if you enjoyed it! *bow* *bow* It helps me out a ton!!
November 2, 2018
*This is one of the #SFBO titles I had as part of my batch this year*
This is the story of Furi, a young woman who has had a pretty awful life under the care of a family who do not love her (with the exception of Yoshi, her adoptive brother) and a Madame who thinks punishment is the only way to control her. Furi has always known she had a gift when it came to weaving, especially with Silk, but as her life continues to suppress her and she becomes ever less confident in anything except her weaving she finds it a struggle to break free of the control others have over her.
As the story goes on you start to see inside of Furi's head and understand who she is. This is set in a kind of Edo period Japan (loosely based on this time) and it's got a lot of traditional Asian-inspired folktales, myths and traditions which I really enjoyed as Asia is a fascination of mine. I think the author did a good job of making the story seem like it was told in a fairly traditional Japanese style and the way the tale unfolded was good.
I enjoyed the concepts of this book as there are a lot of design elements and interesting things that I didn't see coming. I think we do get some surprises with our main character and the way that she deals with threats and problems, and I enjoyed the way that these issues were resolved.
I do think that the book has a fair amount of magic which is hinted at at first and then explained later on in the book. I liked the magical potential of the characters and the mystery that surrounded them, but I think there were some things that I felt were a little too predictable with the magic too.
Overall, the story was a quick one which I read through fairly fast (mostly in one evening). I liked the way the character grew on you and it unfolded well as a story too. The pacing was good and the story fun, but it all felt a little too abrupt at the end of the story for me and it was such a short book that I wanted more from it. I think that is my only real criticism, that there wasn't more to it all because the potential of the world and character is set up nicely, but it was good fun to read.
I gave it a 4*s which is 8/10 for #SPFBO. A good read and one I recommend!
This is the story of Furi, a young woman who has had a pretty awful life under the care of a family who do not love her (with the exception of Yoshi, her adoptive brother) and a Madame who thinks punishment is the only way to control her. Furi has always known she had a gift when it came to weaving, especially with Silk, but as her life continues to suppress her and she becomes ever less confident in anything except her weaving she finds it a struggle to break free of the control others have over her.
As the story goes on you start to see inside of Furi's head and understand who she is. This is set in a kind of Edo period Japan (loosely based on this time) and it's got a lot of traditional Asian-inspired folktales, myths and traditions which I really enjoyed as Asia is a fascination of mine. I think the author did a good job of making the story seem like it was told in a fairly traditional Japanese style and the way the tale unfolded was good.
I enjoyed the concepts of this book as there are a lot of design elements and interesting things that I didn't see coming. I think we do get some surprises with our main character and the way that she deals with threats and problems, and I enjoyed the way that these issues were resolved.
I do think that the book has a fair amount of magic which is hinted at at first and then explained later on in the book. I liked the magical potential of the characters and the mystery that surrounded them, but I think there were some things that I felt were a little too predictable with the magic too.
Overall, the story was a quick one which I read through fairly fast (mostly in one evening). I liked the way the character grew on you and it unfolded well as a story too. The pacing was good and the story fun, but it all felt a little too abrupt at the end of the story for me and it was such a short book that I wanted more from it. I think that is my only real criticism, that there wasn't more to it all because the potential of the world and character is set up nicely, but it was good fun to read.
I gave it a 4*s which is 8/10 for #SPFBO. A good read and one I recommend!
December 10, 2018
Truth:
I kind of loved this book.
Also truth: I don't really know how to review it.
Why? It's a pretty unique story, and I'm not sure I've got the ending quite figured out, and I'm not qualified to say whether the Asian detail was well done or not, but... Let's put it simply: reading Spinning Silk was a good experience. If you've found in the past that your tastes align with mine? You'll probably enjoy it. Now let me see if I can tell you more about why I liked it: come read the full review here on my blog.
I also recommend reading the companion novel Shin by the same author. It greatly complements this story.
Read Post On My Blog | My Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
Also truth: I don't really know how to review it.
Why? It's a pretty unique story, and I'm not sure I've got the ending quite figured out, and I'm not qualified to say whether the Asian detail was well done or not, but... Let's put it simply: reading Spinning Silk was a good experience. If you've found in the past that your tastes align with mine? You'll probably enjoy it. Now let me see if I can tell you more about why I liked it: come read the full review here on my blog.
I also recommend reading the companion novel Shin by the same author. It greatly complements this story.
Read Post On My Blog | My Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
April 22, 2019
“In time, both our lives would realize all of the apple's sweetness, and every forced swallow of its bitterness.”
♡ This novel truly has one of the most immersive atmospheres I've ever experienced. Cook's prose is simply enchanting; it never ceased to capture my attention. Reading this narrative felt warm and comforting, as though I were revisiting a beloved story from my childhood. Is it possible for a book to generate such feelings of nostalgia, because I'm quite certain that's what occurred here. The characters and Japanese folklore/mythology also beam radiant lights on the story, creating an enthralling story from start to finish.
♡ In a way, this story reads almost as though it is poetry. I reread certain passages over and over again, for no reason other than to bask in the beauty of it. If a writing style is monotonous and dense, I'll often skim through it, anxious to reach a more pivotal plot point. This certainly wasn't the case in Spinning Silk; the writing and atmosphere truly are a journey in their own rights. The many elements of design and structure work with one another in perfect harmony!
♡ Fumi and Shin have a charming romance, that is mysterious, kind, and heart-breaking. I love how Cook weaves - pun intended, hehe - this into the story, without overtaking the central plot. This is Fumi's tale of hardship and discovery, and the uncertainties of their romance, is but another struggle she is faced to endure. On one hand, Fumi's meek demeanor amid a world in constant strife with her, makes her relatable and more characteristically human. But, on the other, her hesitance and poor decision making, feels a bit unrealistic. These often resulted in greater misery, and appeared to be done so, simply to further the plot.
♡ Edo Period Japan with subtle traces of magic? Yes, please! From what I've gathered, the world of the story is greatly inspired by the Tokugawa/Edo period of Japan history. I'm a huge fan of Asia-based fantasy books, so I loved the way Cook constructs her world. I almost wished for slightly more magic to be present, but was overall highly satisfied with it's incorporated.
♡ I sincerely mean it, when I say that this book is remarkably unique and unlike any I have read before. My words can't even begin to describe what an alluring piece of fiction it is, but, if you enjoy character-driven stories with gorgeous prose, I absolutely recommend checking this one out.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review! ♡
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September 18, 2018
I didn’t know much about this book going into it except that it was based on Japanese folklore. The book is told from the point of view of Furi, a young peasant girl among one of the servant classes, little better than a slave. We follow her journey from childhood to adulthood as she is shuffled around the village, and later farther afield, as she is handed into one or another’s keeping.
The thing I loved most about this book was the prose, and the way in which the story was told. The prose really sets the atmosphere; it’s simple but the language used and sentence structure are very deliberate and really serve the story well. There are also many times when Furi, narrating her own story, while looking back alludes to events on the horizon. This lends a certain expectation of things to come, sometimes in an ominous way, which I rather liked. There is also a certain….white space…for lack of a better term, within the writing. Meaning that the story doesn’t feed you every single detail of everything happen. This could feel confusing, I suppose, but that vague feeling of not always knowing exactly what’s going on, like something in a dreamlike state, is one of my favorite things when it’s pulled off well, like it is here. This technique made this feel very fairytale-like at times. It also feels sort of like ‘rests’ in music–the quiet spaces in between notes. I quite enjoyed this style.
Furi is an interesting character. At times it was easy to empathize with her, especially because of her circumstances. At other times, when she had the chance to act and didn’t or made crazy decisions, I felt frustrated with her. But, I think that’s because Furi, despite trying, is never really a master of her own destiny. Even at the end, when she finally was able to make a choice, she realized she really didn’t have much of a choice about things at all. I’m not quite sure how I feel about that, to be honest. On the one hand, it’s very in keeping with something of a folk tale. On the other hand, I usually enjoy characters that are more of an active participant in their own lives. Still, I don’t think this point was much of a detractor for me because it makes sense in context.
Other characters are interesting as well. Even those that are not nice people are multi-faceted. This was especially true of Madame Sato, the third person Furi lives with on her journey. At times she displays flashes of caring for Furi, as more than a master to a servant. Other times she is underhanded, insistent, pushy, and quite infuriating. I quite enjoyed the relationship between her and Furi, however, because it was the most complex relationship in the story besides that of Furi and Shin.
Shin is a mysterious character. I admit I love these types of characters. You don’t really know who they are, what their motives are, whether or not they are even normal humans because why are you disappearing like that all the time, Shin? At times he felt rather convenient because he was always swooping in at just the right times, but I didn’t think that was an issue because it’s obvious that he is more than what he seems on the surface, more than a simple gardener. The relationship between Shin and Furi was so very interesting. A lot of what lies between them, I feel, is what’s in those ‘white spaces in between’. There is this one scene, I think they’re in the garden shed, and it’s just such a lovely moment between them, filled with the sweetest kind of tension. And everything is communicated between them without words in that moment and it was so beautifully written.
The one small problem I had with this book was the end. Not because of certain events that happen at the end, but because I feel like the style of the story changed slightly during the last 10-15% of the novel. Suddenly there was a lot less of that ‘white space’ and the prose felt a little different. The mystery was resolved and that was a bit of a let down. Not the explanation of it all, just that it was explained at all. I feel like it would have worked a little better for me if certain things had remained a mystery. But even this small disappointment wasn’t much to hinder my enjoyment of the rest of the story. I think this was probably the difference between a 4 and 5 star read for me, however.
Overall, I really enjoyed this Spinning Silk. The prose was lovely, and this was an interesting and atmospheric tale. 4/5 stars.
My thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book for review purposes. This in no way affected my review.
The thing I loved most about this book was the prose, and the way in which the story was told. The prose really sets the atmosphere; it’s simple but the language used and sentence structure are very deliberate and really serve the story well. There are also many times when Furi, narrating her own story, while looking back alludes to events on the horizon. This lends a certain expectation of things to come, sometimes in an ominous way, which I rather liked. There is also a certain….white space…for lack of a better term, within the writing. Meaning that the story doesn’t feed you every single detail of everything happen. This could feel confusing, I suppose, but that vague feeling of not always knowing exactly what’s going on, like something in a dreamlike state, is one of my favorite things when it’s pulled off well, like it is here. This technique made this feel very fairytale-like at times. It also feels sort of like ‘rests’ in music–the quiet spaces in between notes. I quite enjoyed this style.
Furi is an interesting character. At times it was easy to empathize with her, especially because of her circumstances. At other times, when she had the chance to act and didn’t or made crazy decisions, I felt frustrated with her. But, I think that’s because Furi, despite trying, is never really a master of her own destiny. Even at the end, when she finally was able to make a choice, she realized she really didn’t have much of a choice about things at all. I’m not quite sure how I feel about that, to be honest. On the one hand, it’s very in keeping with something of a folk tale. On the other hand, I usually enjoy characters that are more of an active participant in their own lives. Still, I don’t think this point was much of a detractor for me because it makes sense in context.
Other characters are interesting as well. Even those that are not nice people are multi-faceted. This was especially true of Madame Sato, the third person Furi lives with on her journey. At times she displays flashes of caring for Furi, as more than a master to a servant. Other times she is underhanded, insistent, pushy, and quite infuriating. I quite enjoyed the relationship between her and Furi, however, because it was the most complex relationship in the story besides that of Furi and Shin.
Shin is a mysterious character. I admit I love these types of characters. You don’t really know who they are, what their motives are, whether or not they are even normal humans because why are you disappearing like that all the time, Shin? At times he felt rather convenient because he was always swooping in at just the right times, but I didn’t think that was an issue because it’s obvious that he is more than what he seems on the surface, more than a simple gardener. The relationship between Shin and Furi was so very interesting. A lot of what lies between them, I feel, is what’s in those ‘white spaces in between’. There is this one scene, I think they’re in the garden shed, and it’s just such a lovely moment between them, filled with the sweetest kind of tension. And everything is communicated between them without words in that moment and it was so beautifully written.
The one small problem I had with this book was the end. Not because of certain events that happen at the end, but because I feel like the style of the story changed slightly during the last 10-15% of the novel. Suddenly there was a lot less of that ‘white space’ and the prose felt a little different. The mystery was resolved and that was a bit of a let down. Not the explanation of it all, just that it was explained at all. I feel like it would have worked a little better for me if certain things had remained a mystery. But even this small disappointment wasn’t much to hinder my enjoyment of the rest of the story. I think this was probably the difference between a 4 and 5 star read for me, however.
Overall, I really enjoyed this Spinning Silk. The prose was lovely, and this was an interesting and atmospheric tale. 4/5 stars.
My thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book for review purposes. This in no way affected my review.
November 18, 2018
It was the man, and not Furi, who was in real peril in this story. I loved turning the traditional woman-in-danger romance trope up on its head. Most romance taboos are long dead and buried, but I may have discovered a new one. If so, I have crossed that line remorselessly--not because I want to upset people, but because I want to be honest.
Some might not like to hear it, but love is dangerous. Life can introduce impossible obstacles. Furi and Shin seem exceptional, but they aren't really. Ordinary lives are sometimes supremely self-sacrificing. There are many, many martyrs for love in this world, and I guess I wrote this story for them.
Think about nature. It never intended love to be casual. We call it intimacy for a reason. Sometimes the cost is extraordinary--as in Shin's case--and we pay it anyway. I wanted to explore whether a man would do like so many have done, giving up their lives for love. I think some would. Not everyone, but many more perhaps we think.
Some might not like to hear it, but love is dangerous. Life can introduce impossible obstacles. Furi and Shin seem exceptional, but they aren't really. Ordinary lives are sometimes supremely self-sacrificing. There are many, many martyrs for love in this world, and I guess I wrote this story for them.
Think about nature. It never intended love to be casual. We call it intimacy for a reason. Sometimes the cost is extraordinary--as in Shin's case--and we pay it anyway. I wanted to explore whether a man would do like so many have done, giving up their lives for love. I think some would. Not everyone, but many more perhaps we think.
July 9, 2018
Spinning Silk quickly pulled me into the story and kept me there through to the end. I have not heard the old Japanese legends and folklore this book is based on, but it wasn’t necessary. They were so well incorporated into the story that I could almost know them. The main character, Yumi, made me cheer for her and cry for her. Though there were times I could not comprehend her moods and actions, in the end they made sense.
November 8, 2018
(originally reviewed at
thelibraryladies.com
)
I was sent an excerpt of this book several months ago, and while reviewing it the strength of the author’s writing and the intriguing plot nabbed my attention. After receiving my copy, I blew through this story quickly. While it’s not without faults, “Spinning Silk” was a unique story, almost a fairytale-retelling but inspired by Japanese folklore instead of the Western-based fairytales that are all too common.
Furi is an orphan who has been raised as a slave. However, she has an incredible talent for weaving, a talent so great that it draws the eyes of some very important people. Her path soon crosses with several other unique characters, most importantly, perhaps, a gardener who has power of his own. Her journey is one filled with death and darkness, a mysterious illness that strikes in an unknowable way. But Furi persists through it all, discovering her own strengths within.
We all know how I feel about fairytale-retellings. That said, is is more and more difficulty to find truly intriguing stories. The basic fairytales have been told over and over in almost every way. So I’m always incredibly excited when I see a story like this that is not only drawing from folktales that I am not familiar with, but that is set in a place and culture that is A.) not my own and B.) one that is rarely called upon as a setting and foundation for a story such as this. All cultures have stories at their heart, and yet we’re only familiar with a very few.
I know very little about Japanese culture and folklore. I was not familiar at all with the story that serves as the basis for this book. But what made it so excellent was that this didn’t matter! While I can’t speak to the authenticity of these things (again, given my lack of prior knowledge of the subject), I will say that coming from a fairly ignorant standpoint, I felt that the world that Cook drew and the tale itself felt truly authentic. She avoided several of the pitfalls common to stories set in places/cultures that are not one’s own. Notably, her use of Japanese language. The book does has a helpful list of terms in the back for those of us who are not familiar, but the story itself is blessedly free of any in-text explanation for terms and words. Because, of course, why Furi explain words that are common to her?
I also liked the way the story wove together the fantastical elements and the historical parts. While I do wish there there had been a bit more lead up to the fantasy aspects (they come into play much more strongly towards the end), the historical portions of the story were spot on. I felt immediately immersed in this setting and became quickly invested in Furi’s story. The writing is excellent (again, this was one of the things that immediately drew me to the book), and while the story does unfold slowly, I felt that it was worth the payoff in the end.
However, this book definitely falls into the “dark” category, as far as fantasy fiction goes. The tone is often somber and bad things happen to good people. I like dark fantasies as a whole, so I was mostly fine with this. I did struggle a bit with the end, but I understood the point the author was making and, while a valid one, it simply isn’t my preferred reading experience. But that should in no way take away from the reading experience of others. This is just a very subjective preference of mine.
I also very much like Furi herself. The story is told from her perspective, but even being in her mind, all is not revealed. Not only do readers need to piece together the motivations and histories of other characters, but Furi herself doesn’t come out and tell you everything about herself. This also contributed to the slow-moving factor of the book, but I didn’t mind it. Instead, I felt like I was slowly learning who Furi truly was and this increased knowledge built alongside the stakes of the story as a whole.
Rating 7: An exciting new fantasy fairytale set in a culture that is often not seen in these types of stories. A bit on the darker side, but worth the slower reading experience in the end.
I was sent an excerpt of this book several months ago, and while reviewing it the strength of the author’s writing and the intriguing plot nabbed my attention. After receiving my copy, I blew through this story quickly. While it’s not without faults, “Spinning Silk” was a unique story, almost a fairytale-retelling but inspired by Japanese folklore instead of the Western-based fairytales that are all too common.
Furi is an orphan who has been raised as a slave. However, she has an incredible talent for weaving, a talent so great that it draws the eyes of some very important people. Her path soon crosses with several other unique characters, most importantly, perhaps, a gardener who has power of his own. Her journey is one filled with death and darkness, a mysterious illness that strikes in an unknowable way. But Furi persists through it all, discovering her own strengths within.
We all know how I feel about fairytale-retellings. That said, is is more and more difficulty to find truly intriguing stories. The basic fairytales have been told over and over in almost every way. So I’m always incredibly excited when I see a story like this that is not only drawing from folktales that I am not familiar with, but that is set in a place and culture that is A.) not my own and B.) one that is rarely called upon as a setting and foundation for a story such as this. All cultures have stories at their heart, and yet we’re only familiar with a very few.
I know very little about Japanese culture and folklore. I was not familiar at all with the story that serves as the basis for this book. But what made it so excellent was that this didn’t matter! While I can’t speak to the authenticity of these things (again, given my lack of prior knowledge of the subject), I will say that coming from a fairly ignorant standpoint, I felt that the world that Cook drew and the tale itself felt truly authentic. She avoided several of the pitfalls common to stories set in places/cultures that are not one’s own. Notably, her use of Japanese language. The book does has a helpful list of terms in the back for those of us who are not familiar, but the story itself is blessedly free of any in-text explanation for terms and words. Because, of course, why Furi explain words that are common to her?
I also liked the way the story wove together the fantastical elements and the historical parts. While I do wish there there had been a bit more lead up to the fantasy aspects (they come into play much more strongly towards the end), the historical portions of the story were spot on. I felt immediately immersed in this setting and became quickly invested in Furi’s story. The writing is excellent (again, this was one of the things that immediately drew me to the book), and while the story does unfold slowly, I felt that it was worth the payoff in the end.
However, this book definitely falls into the “dark” category, as far as fantasy fiction goes. The tone is often somber and bad things happen to good people. I like dark fantasies as a whole, so I was mostly fine with this. I did struggle a bit with the end, but I understood the point the author was making and, while a valid one, it simply isn’t my preferred reading experience. But that should in no way take away from the reading experience of others. This is just a very subjective preference of mine.
I also very much like Furi herself. The story is told from her perspective, but even being in her mind, all is not revealed. Not only do readers need to piece together the motivations and histories of other characters, but Furi herself doesn’t come out and tell you everything about herself. This also contributed to the slow-moving factor of the book, but I didn’t mind it. Instead, I felt like I was slowly learning who Furi truly was and this increased knowledge built alongside the stakes of the story as a whole.
Rating 7: An exciting new fantasy fairytale set in a culture that is often not seen in these types of stories. A bit on the darker side, but worth the slower reading experience in the end.
November 17, 2018
That was probably one of the better self published books I've read in some time. It was a bit slow to start off but I enjoyed it through to the end.
January 30, 2019
This was the way with spiders. How were they always willing to begin building again, knowing full well their work would not last - no matter how laboriously, how painstakingly they had produced it?
This was resilience.
Summary
Suri, a young girl, abandoned at birth, grew up in a household that did not like having yet another mouth to feed. Even her incredible strength and dexterity were not enough to convince the people who raised her to not sell her into slavery. But living with her master, however cruel, showed her one thing - she is an adept silk-weaver.
Writing
The writing in this book is beautiful. It's very flowery and lyrical, at times it feels more like a poetry than prose. It creates a very delicate, ethereal atmosphere.
The most peculiar thing about this book is the fact that it doesn't feel like a book at all. More like a story told by the campfire by your beloved friend. I just simply couldn't get enough of it.
Characters
The characters in this book are very, very strange. Even though I found myself caring about them, I still think that they are very underdeveloped. Their actions never actually made sense to me, because I haven't really got to know them that well. Not in a way I am supposed to know the character I am reading about.
Oh, also a friendly warning - there is a lot of spiders in this book. Much more than I am comfortable with. So if you are a fellow arachnophobe - consider yourself warned.
Plot
Generally I am not a big fan of books with an omniscient narrator, but in this case it works wonderfully. I actually think that it's the only thing that kept me interested, when things started to get too confusing for me. The narrator creates incredible suspense in all the right moments, almost like they could feel when the reader starts to lose interest. It makes you want to keep reading even if you are not entirely sure what is going on.
However, the worst thing about this story is that it doesn't really have a purpose, until the very, very end. There is actually a lot of things happening, but more often than not I found myself asking "what is this book even about?".
Overall
I think it's the strangest book I have ever read. On one hand - it really managed to captivate me. But on the other I am really not sure if I know what I read. Though I am aware that my confusion may be coming from a place of ignorance - I am not familiar with Japanese folklore. At all.
Still, I can't help but wonder - is it really my fault for not fully understanding the story? Or is it the book's?
Content warnings: violence and abuse, rape attempt, self-hatred, slavery
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
October 22, 2018
A dark, haunting, and beautifully written tale.
Find this review at Forever Lost in Literature!
Where to begin in reviewing this book? I wasn't sure what type of story to expect from this book, but I was pleasantly surprised by what I read. Spinning Silk is a surprisingly dark, haunting story that weaves together a story I never predicted and with characters whose stories I was fascinated to know more about.
Spinning Silk is a rather slow-paced book that is more focused on the characters and character development than it is on a fast, forward-moving plot. If you're someone who prefers an action-driven narrative, then this might not be your cup of tea, but if you don't mind a slower plot that is told at a much more leisurely rate and focuses on the journey of individual characters, then Spinning Silk is a great book for that.
As much as I generally enjoy some strong, in-depth world-building, I really liked the simplicity in her world-building. It was obvious that there was Japanese influence and that it is not quite the same world that we live in, but there isn't too much extraneous detail about the world and land itself. I think this worked well because it places more emphasis on the characters, the plot, and themes more than the intricacies of the world, which weren't as crucial in this story.
Another stand-out area of this book is the prose and writing style itself. There is a simplicity to the writing that makes the story flow very naturally, but it is not done in a casual or careless way, as the writing is still very deliberate and eloquently written. It's a quiet story, but still gripping in a way that made me really enjoy this book
The main character is a young woman named Furi, and despite the fact that the story follows her very closely throughout the story, I can't say that I ever particularly connected with her. There was always a bit of distance between myself and her character, but this didn't stop me from be interested in her life and what would happen to her throughout the book. One of the other prominent characters is a man named Shin, who is somewhat of a mystery throughout the duration of the narrative, but who provides enough of an intrigue to make me continuously curious about him.
I am unsure on how I feel about the ending. The very last portion of the story had a slight shift and felt ever so slightly rushed in ways that I was not expecting. I do appreciate how Cook wrapped things and even gave us a glimpse into the future, but something did feel off about the last bit. That being said, I thought the overall events that occurred in the ending (no spoilers!) were fitting and created a beautiful ending to a haunting, beautiful story.
Overall, I've given Spinning Silk four stars!
Find this review at Forever Lost in Literature!
Where to begin in reviewing this book? I wasn't sure what type of story to expect from this book, but I was pleasantly surprised by what I read. Spinning Silk is a surprisingly dark, haunting story that weaves together a story I never predicted and with characters whose stories I was fascinated to know more about.
Spinning Silk is a rather slow-paced book that is more focused on the characters and character development than it is on a fast, forward-moving plot. If you're someone who prefers an action-driven narrative, then this might not be your cup of tea, but if you don't mind a slower plot that is told at a much more leisurely rate and focuses on the journey of individual characters, then Spinning Silk is a great book for that.
As much as I generally enjoy some strong, in-depth world-building, I really liked the simplicity in her world-building. It was obvious that there was Japanese influence and that it is not quite the same world that we live in, but there isn't too much extraneous detail about the world and land itself. I think this worked well because it places more emphasis on the characters, the plot, and themes more than the intricacies of the world, which weren't as crucial in this story.
Another stand-out area of this book is the prose and writing style itself. There is a simplicity to the writing that makes the story flow very naturally, but it is not done in a casual or careless way, as the writing is still very deliberate and eloquently written. It's a quiet story, but still gripping in a way that made me really enjoy this book
The main character is a young woman named Furi, and despite the fact that the story follows her very closely throughout the story, I can't say that I ever particularly connected with her. There was always a bit of distance between myself and her character, but this didn't stop me from be interested in her life and what would happen to her throughout the book. One of the other prominent characters is a man named Shin, who is somewhat of a mystery throughout the duration of the narrative, but who provides enough of an intrigue to make me continuously curious about him.
I am unsure on how I feel about the ending. The very last portion of the story had a slight shift and felt ever so slightly rushed in ways that I was not expecting. I do appreciate how Cook wrapped things and even gave us a glimpse into the future, but something did feel off about the last bit. That being said, I thought the overall events that occurred in the ending (no spoilers!) were fitting and created a beautiful ending to a haunting, beautiful story.
Overall, I've given Spinning Silk four stars!
July 24, 2018
I was sent a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Where do I even start? I am not going to say too much about the plot because I think it’s best to go blind into this book – it adds to the reading experience. So I decided in this review to talk about my experience with the Japan I know from Japanese literature and the Japan presented in western novels and see well Spinning Silk falls.
I like Japan and the Japanese culture, especially anime and Japanese literature, which is why I am always skeptical when I get my hands on a book about Japan written by a non-Japanese author. Granted, I am still going to read it because I have a huge passion for Japan, but I am expecting the usual cliches. T. Cook manages to shatter my impression and transport me in a historical Japan in an instant.
Her use of words and the simplicity in her setting and writing is what made me fall in love with this book and what made it feel like the other Japanese writings I enjoyed. It gave the same Japan experience that The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon did, although these two books are not similar in any other way. What I am failing to say is that Cook creates a believable setting worthy of Shonagon in her non-fiction writings, and it doesn’t present the reader with an exotic Japan as seen through the eyes of a non-Japanese.
Yet another thing that usually bother me, but the author here avoids successfully is the use of specific Japanese terms and concepts – Cook doesn’t explain them, the words fit naturally in her story as they should because I am sure a Japanese person will not start explaining what a kotatsu is after mentioning they would sit there. And if you are like me and do not know all of the terms, then please know that there is a helpful “dictionary” at the end.
This is as far as my own reading experience can take me. I do not have a lot of knowledge about the history of Japan and while I am familiar with Japanese folklore, theirs is so vast that I only knew a little bit about tsuchigumo and nothing else about the other things mentioned in the book. I cannot tell you if things are historically accurate or how much of it is fiction, but what I can say is that things are well-thought and do not feel rushed or changed to fit the story.
I think Cook is a brilliant weaver when it comes to building her characters. You get the sense that you know them, but that there is also more to them to be discovered. Their intentions are never revealed immediately to the reader or the other characters – and this sometimes applies to our main character, despite her being the narrator. Even if we have access to all of Furi’s emotions and thoughts, she is still a mystery.
And in the end, although it might not seem like one, this is a love story. But I will let you discover that part on your own!
I really hope more people would read this book, because as I said, the writing style is captivating and as far as I can tell it give the reader an authentic Japan.
Where do I even start? I am not going to say too much about the plot because I think it’s best to go blind into this book – it adds to the reading experience. So I decided in this review to talk about my experience with the Japan I know from Japanese literature and the Japan presented in western novels and see well Spinning Silk falls.
I like Japan and the Japanese culture, especially anime and Japanese literature, which is why I am always skeptical when I get my hands on a book about Japan written by a non-Japanese author. Granted, I am still going to read it because I have a huge passion for Japan, but I am expecting the usual cliches. T. Cook manages to shatter my impression and transport me in a historical Japan in an instant.
Her use of words and the simplicity in her setting and writing is what made me fall in love with this book and what made it feel like the other Japanese writings I enjoyed. It gave the same Japan experience that The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon did, although these two books are not similar in any other way. What I am failing to say is that Cook creates a believable setting worthy of Shonagon in her non-fiction writings, and it doesn’t present the reader with an exotic Japan as seen through the eyes of a non-Japanese.
Yet another thing that usually bother me, but the author here avoids successfully is the use of specific Japanese terms and concepts – Cook doesn’t explain them, the words fit naturally in her story as they should because I am sure a Japanese person will not start explaining what a kotatsu is after mentioning they would sit there. And if you are like me and do not know all of the terms, then please know that there is a helpful “dictionary” at the end.
This is as far as my own reading experience can take me. I do not have a lot of knowledge about the history of Japan and while I am familiar with Japanese folklore, theirs is so vast that I only knew a little bit about tsuchigumo and nothing else about the other things mentioned in the book. I cannot tell you if things are historically accurate or how much of it is fiction, but what I can say is that things are well-thought and do not feel rushed or changed to fit the story.
I think Cook is a brilliant weaver when it comes to building her characters. You get the sense that you know them, but that there is also more to them to be discovered. Their intentions are never revealed immediately to the reader or the other characters – and this sometimes applies to our main character, despite her being the narrator. Even if we have access to all of Furi’s emotions and thoughts, she is still a mystery.
And in the end, although it might not seem like one, this is a love story. But I will let you discover that part on your own!
I really hope more people would read this book, because as I said, the writing style is captivating and as far as I can tell it give the reader an authentic Japan.
September 6, 2019
I love tragedy. Just saying.
***
This, I think, is a self-published book, so understandably it is riddled with typos. Editors and proofreader are the luxuries of conventional publishing and I don't hold this against the author. Still there are two mistakes which I think could have been avoided, or rather, a tad too much for me to ignore.
Firstly the naming system. I wish the author stuck to family name before own name, the Japanese way. Instead Junko Yamada becomes Yamada Junko at times then revert back to Junko Yamada, before sticking to the western style. Also, what is with calling the shogunate Whitegrain? Like, Yasuhiro Whitegrain, don't you find that bordering silly? Because I did. Can't the author just pick a Japanese family name instead of doing this mix and match?
Secondly, when Madame Sato told Furi to accompany her to a noble house while pretending to be her companion and not acting as servant. Furi was reluctant but when Madame told her the name of the noble house, Nobu, she changed her mind. You can understand that she did this because she knew Shin, the man she loved, worked for Nobu. But the thing is, Nobu was never mentioned in name previously, so how did she know this was where she would find Shin? I checked, you know. Page 97 on my Kindle was the first time Nobu's name was mentioned, never before. This, for me, is a big enough error that should have been caught by the author even without editor to help.
Those faults aside, Spinning Silk is a good story. The Japaneseness doesn't feel forced, even though as far as my knowledge goes, the author is not Japanese. The world is based on Edo Japan and as one who has read quite a number of books about that era, I can say that I give full approval of the world-building. The writing flows beautifully, even with the inevitable errors in spelling and punctuation, and if you're not a hardcore nitpicker like me, you may not be bothered with what bothered me. And the love story feels natural, not forced, not insta love, and your heart may go to both Furi and Shin like mine did. I may pick up the companion book, Shin if I have the opportunity.
Overall 3.5 on account of my nitpicking but rounded to 4 because indie authors deserve support.
***
This, I think, is a self-published book, so understandably it is riddled with typos. Editors and proofreader are the luxuries of conventional publishing and I don't hold this against the author. Still there are two mistakes which I think could have been avoided, or rather, a tad too much for me to ignore.
Firstly the naming system. I wish the author stuck to family name before own name, the Japanese way. Instead Junko Yamada becomes Yamada Junko at times then revert back to Junko Yamada, before sticking to the western style. Also, what is with calling the shogunate Whitegrain? Like, Yasuhiro Whitegrain, don't you find that bordering silly? Because I did. Can't the author just pick a Japanese family name instead of doing this mix and match?
Secondly, when Madame Sato told Furi to accompany her to a noble house while pretending to be her companion and not acting as servant. Furi was reluctant but when Madame told her the name of the noble house, Nobu, she changed her mind. You can understand that she did this because she knew Shin, the man she loved, worked for Nobu. But the thing is, Nobu was never mentioned in name previously, so how did she know this was where she would find Shin? I checked, you know. Page 97 on my Kindle was the first time Nobu's name was mentioned, never before. This, for me, is a big enough error that should have been caught by the author even without editor to help.
Those faults aside, Spinning Silk is a good story. The Japaneseness doesn't feel forced, even though as far as my knowledge goes, the author is not Japanese. The world is based on Edo Japan and as one who has read quite a number of books about that era, I can say that I give full approval of the world-building. The writing flows beautifully, even with the inevitable errors in spelling and punctuation, and if you're not a hardcore nitpicker like me, you may not be bothered with what bothered me. And the love story feels natural, not forced, not insta love, and your heart may go to both Furi and Shin like mine did. I may pick up the companion book, Shin if I have the opportunity.
Overall 3.5 on account of my nitpicking but rounded to 4 because indie authors deserve support.
May 1, 2018
I read Spinning Silk over a few days. The initial slow pace surprised me, but I got caught up in the mystery of figuring out what was happening to the main character and how it all related to the silk spinning she was so good at. It took a twist I didn’t expect! The twist was fun, bringing the supernatural into what seems like a normal, historical world. I think I would’ve preferred more concrete clues along the way that a supernatural solution might be the option, but the story works the way it is. My favorite character is the love interest. He’s such an intriguing character, with full backstory and driven with purpose, and the mc is likewise fascinated with him. I was sad when the story ended.
August 28, 2018
T Cook did an amazing job weaving her own creation when she wrote Spinning Silk. The prose and imagery through this book cannot be described with any word other than perfect. The story, based on Japanese mythology balances well between the real world and fantasy. A touch of romance along with the emotional gamut kept reading page after page. The romance is there, but it is not the story. The story is about the life of Furi, and what a story it is. I will read this book several times over, and I'm sure you will too.
August 15, 2018
Great retelling.
What an awesome adventure. While I know nothing of Japanese Myths or Legends I was enthralled with the characters in this story. I felt so sorry of Furi and how she had to suffer the punishment from others. I was so excited when life turned around for the better. A great concept. Highly recommend.
What an awesome adventure. While I know nothing of Japanese Myths or Legends I was enthralled with the characters in this story. I felt so sorry of Furi and how she had to suffer the punishment from others. I was so excited when life turned around for the better. A great concept. Highly recommend.
January 30, 2019
*I received a free copy of this book, with thanks to the author. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
A fascinating blend of Japanese mythology and customs, Spinning Silk tells the story of Furi, raised a peasant orphan and sold cheap to the first person to ask, despite her supernaturally exceptional skill with a loom.
There is romance and rebellion, slavery and creative freedom warring for dominance between these pages, and the details of life as a skilled craftsperson, and later artisan, are cast into relief by the cobwebs and shadows of gods, shapeshifters and spider demons.
The fantasy elements of the story are written in a factual manner and keep mostly within the bounds of the explainable, at least, until the reader is committed to Furi and her narrative enough to suspend their disbelief.
I found the constant peril of the metaphorical sword that Furi lived beneath had me on the edge of my seat throughout and my nerves were thoroughly wracked by the climax. The aftermath of the BIG DECISION felt a little anticlimactic after such an emotional build-up, and the results were summed up in rather a brief, dry manner (which fitted with the emotional tone of the narrative voice at the point of narration). However there is clearly more of this story to tell and so the good news is that the companion book, which shows the story from another perspective is already available… get it here!
Fans of Japanese folklore and fantasy-realism will enjoy the warp and weft of this well-spun narrative web.
“Make a wish, Furi. It’s Tanabata custom.”
“I can’t.” Among peasantry, expressing wishes was never encouraged, and I had learned to strangle mine before they could ever be fully formed.
Yoshi frowned. “Let me then.” He paused and met my stare with his grave black eyes, as if there were some moment to a wish’s superstition. “Someday you’ll wear the silk you reel from the silkworm cocoons.”
– T. Cook, Spinning Silk
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
A fascinating blend of Japanese mythology and customs, Spinning Silk tells the story of Furi, raised a peasant orphan and sold cheap to the first person to ask, despite her supernaturally exceptional skill with a loom.
There is romance and rebellion, slavery and creative freedom warring for dominance between these pages, and the details of life as a skilled craftsperson, and later artisan, are cast into relief by the cobwebs and shadows of gods, shapeshifters and spider demons.
The fantasy elements of the story are written in a factual manner and keep mostly within the bounds of the explainable, at least, until the reader is committed to Furi and her narrative enough to suspend their disbelief.
I found the constant peril of the metaphorical sword that Furi lived beneath had me on the edge of my seat throughout and my nerves were thoroughly wracked by the climax. The aftermath of the BIG DECISION felt a little anticlimactic after such an emotional build-up, and the results were summed up in rather a brief, dry manner (which fitted with the emotional tone of the narrative voice at the point of narration). However there is clearly more of this story to tell and so the good news is that the companion book, which shows the story from another perspective is already available… get it here!
Fans of Japanese folklore and fantasy-realism will enjoy the warp and weft of this well-spun narrative web.
“Make a wish, Furi. It’s Tanabata custom.”
“I can’t.” Among peasantry, expressing wishes was never encouraged, and I had learned to strangle mine before they could ever be fully formed.
Yoshi frowned. “Let me then.” He paused and met my stare with his grave black eyes, as if there were some moment to a wish’s superstition. “Someday you’ll wear the silk you reel from the silkworm cocoons.”
– T. Cook, Spinning Silk
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
May 31, 2018
My enjoyment of “Spinning Silk” by Taya Cook began with the beautiful cover and ended with the satisfying journey of a young Japanese girl from orphan to more than anyone ever imagined. I love reading stories based on re-imagined fairytales and folklore. This story was particularly intriguing because it is based on Japanese folklore, which I knew nothing about, including legendary spider-warriors. Woven in with the folklore is the solid character arc of Furi, raised a slave, coveted for her talent in weaving silk. Her journey crosses paths with a mysterious gardener, a selective illness and a generous provider with selfish motives. Danger and death seem to follow Furi with no easy explanation. All these experiences are filled with mystery and plot twists and turns that lead Furi closer to a destiny beyond worldly understanding. I enjoyed this journey with Furi and became invested in her drive to survive and also to create beauty where ever she went and in whatever circumstance she found herself in.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for diversity and a peek inside Japanese folklore. A huge bonus is that the plot and character development are definitely worth investing in as well.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for diversity and a peek inside Japanese folklore. A huge bonus is that the plot and character development are definitely worth investing in as well.
September 22, 2022
Setting/Worldbuilding: 6/10
Main characters: 5/10
Side characters: 3/10
Dialogue: 5/10
Plot: 2/10
Technique: 8/10
Prose: 8/10
Romance: 3/10
Ending: 4/10
Overall enjoyment: 4/10
Total: 48/100 (2.2/5)
This was an original retelling of Japanese mythology and legends of old, mainly that of Orihime and the tsuchigumo. The book was written in an introspective narrational first-person style, as though the main character was reflecting back on past events. The prose had an oneiric quality to it, and it was quite pretty to read.
Unfortunately that was all the good I could say about this book. The plot felt very confusing and not well planned out (there were plot bombs stopped at the last 1-2% of the book so the pacing felt a bit off?) and frankly it was a bit tedious to get through it towards the end. I also didn't much care for the main character's lack of agency throughout. Throughout most of the book it felt like things were done TO her instead of her dictating the plot. I'm not sure I would recommend this one.
Main characters: 5/10
Side characters: 3/10
Dialogue: 5/10
Plot: 2/10
Technique: 8/10
Prose: 8/10
Romance: 3/10
Ending: 4/10
Overall enjoyment: 4/10
Total: 48/100 (2.2/5)
This was an original retelling of Japanese mythology and legends of old, mainly that of Orihime and the tsuchigumo. The book was written in an introspective narrational first-person style, as though the main character was reflecting back on past events. The prose had an oneiric quality to it, and it was quite pretty to read.
Unfortunately that was all the good I could say about this book. The plot felt very confusing and not well planned out (there were plot bombs stopped at the last 1-2% of the book so the pacing felt a bit off?) and frankly it was a bit tedious to get through it towards the end. I also didn't much care for the main character's lack of agency throughout. Throughout most of the book it felt like things were done TO her instead of her dictating the plot. I'm not sure I would recommend this one.
June 2, 2018
The entire book has an ominous feeling and rightly so. Furi is a weaver, and a weaver of the most exquisite silk and this is her tale of discovery of who she really is and how she has come to be. There really is a gravity to so much of this book that I felt unnecessary and the perspective is all from Furi's end, but in a knowing sort of way, like 'I did this but little did I know what was to come'. It's dark, and at some points difficult for me to understand (and definitely difficult for me to relate to any of the characters). But if you enjoy sort of a dark ominous fairy tale full of foreboding, then this is for you.
May 9, 2018
Remarkable story
This is a well-written story that has great depths of imagery and connection to Japanese folklore. The story is about a weaver, but I believe the author is also a great weaver of sorts, as the story weaves a mysterious and imaginative story. I enjoyed this story, as the details and characters bring it to life. The author shows a grand story and adds that sense of mystery and suspense that a story needs to be successful in its showing.
This is a well-written story that has great depths of imagery and connection to Japanese folklore. The story is about a weaver, but I believe the author is also a great weaver of sorts, as the story weaves a mysterious and imaginative story. I enjoyed this story, as the details and characters bring it to life. The author shows a grand story and adds that sense of mystery and suspense that a story needs to be successful in its showing.
September 11, 2018
I read this book a few months ago and it keeps coming back into my mind. It was such an interesting read. The story reminded me of Memoirs of a Geisha mixed with magic realism. I loved the way folklore tied into the story and want to read it again
January 7, 2019
3 - 3/5 Stars
RTC
RTC
August 10, 2018
2.5 Stars
Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book from the author. This has not influenced my review.*
What I liked: The writing was simple but elegant and very readable. The story had an ethereal, mysterious quality. The Japanese setting and culture was interesting. The supernatural would've been cool, had we gotten more of it.
What I disliked: I got tired of all the foreshadowing sentences. (E.g. "In time, I would understand why he would not let me bid him a tearful goodbye.") This story spanned a long period of time, so the plot felt a little aimless and there was a lot of telling and time jumps; rather than sinking into a character's mind, it felt like someone telling me the story of their life (which is what it was). Last but not least, although the supernatural element did play a role in the story, it was only present very minimally. Unfortunately, my main interest was in the tsuchigumo and jorogumo demons mentioned in the blurb, so that disappointed me. (I've been told the second book, which is like a companion novel, does have more of that element though.)
Overall this book wasn't right for me, but I think it will be easily enjoyed by some readers.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book from the author. This has not influenced my review.*
What I liked: The writing was simple but elegant and very readable. The story had an ethereal, mysterious quality. The Japanese setting and culture was interesting. The supernatural would've been cool, had we gotten more of it.
What I disliked: I got tired of all the foreshadowing sentences. (E.g. "In time, I would understand why he would not let me bid him a tearful goodbye.") This story spanned a long period of time, so the plot felt a little aimless and there was a lot of telling and time jumps; rather than sinking into a character's mind, it felt like someone telling me the story of their life (which is what it was). Last but not least, although the supernatural element did play a role in the story, it was only present very minimally. Unfortunately, my main interest was in the tsuchigumo and jorogumo demons mentioned in the blurb, so that disappointed me. (I've been told the second book, which is like a companion novel, does have more of that element though.)
Overall this book wasn't right for me, but I think it will be easily enjoyed by some readers.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
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