Offered Books:
The Last Equation of Isaac Severy by Nova Jacobs
Not That I Could Tell by Jessica Strawser
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan
Other People's Houses by Abbi Waxman
Rainbirds by Clarissa Goenawan
Selected:
Rainbirds by Clarissa Goenawan
Others Purchased:
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan
Rainbirds follows Ren Ishida as he travels to Akakawa following the murder of his sister, Keiko. While there, he ends up not only tying up his sister's affairs, but also falling into her life as he ends up taking her job, boarding in her old room, and interacting with many of her friends and acquaintances.
So, this is an odd book. If it wasn't already noticeable by the description, there are contrivances aplenty to get Ren into 'place' for the story proper to start, and Goenawan accomplishes this smoother in some parts than in others. In fact, it feels as if the book meanders a bit getting to this point - but on purpose. Losing his sister has hit Ren harder than he even realizes, and while Goenawan is very noticeably moving this character to certain points for the story, it weirdly feels appropriate, as Ren needs someone guiding him.
However, once the plot is in swing, Goenawan maintains that meandering feel for Ren, as he flashes back to his childhood with Keiko while also living a shadow of her life in Akakawa. He's trying to learn why Keiko was murdered, but this plotline isn't pursued with urgency as Goenawan instead explores Ren's feeling of loss.
This is a 'heavy' book, subjectwise. There are few moments of humor, and Ren's various interactions with the other characters always has a tinge of sadness about them - Goenawan rightfully maintains this throughout the novel - in a way, there is no true catharsis as such a thing would be almost impossible given Keiko's youth and the tragedy of her death.
Ren is a great character and the story is told through his perspective, but the other characters he interacts with are well written also, and Goenawan accomplishes the rare feat of having the character's thoughts give a full characterization of the people he encounters without 'knowing' too much about them.
I would recommend this book - but it is not light reading.
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