At the start of this book the plot is complicated and the characters became difficult to differentiate. I was tempted to give up half way but plodded on and was pleased I did as the various threads start to draw together and some interesting characters begin to emerge. A clever and intriguing mystery. PS: Nearly finished it now and am totally absorbed so have upped my rating to 4 stars.
This is the first English translation of a Japanese classic from 1937. It takes the form of a set of essays by a young schoolboy and responses by his uncle. They cover all kinds of ethical issues around how to live an honourable life. I loved every beautifully constructed sentence of this inspiring and uplifting look at life from a universal and non-western perspective. Thank you Jane for finding it!. Also look forward to the movie that is to made by anime masters - Studio Ghibli.
Although this is a brilliantly written portrayal of a digital robotic 'person', I could only read half way. I found it profoundly disturbing mostly because of how well we are made to see though the eyes of the soulless Klara. Perhaps I will come back to it in happier times.......
What I loved best about this great read was the way it threw me back to the 80's and showed me what I already knew but with new understanding. The characters come brilliantly and tenderly to life as people one might have known and represent different aspects of the culture we were living in. There is no 'politics' and the clever plot makes it a gripping story. This is the first Mark Winkler I have read and I will be looking for more.
The story is of a young Christian girl who converts to Judaism in mediaeval times so that she can be with the boy she loves. I read this at the same time as I was watching this amazing debate that Pam found arguing for and against - 'We'd be better off without religion'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKkVPnqREbQv=bKkVPnqREbQ (sorry don't know how to make the link clickable - highlight it and R click to either copy or go to)