NOVEL REVIEW: KLARA AND THE SUN BY KAZUO ISHIGURO

Eiyo Fadneiras,

Welcome back to Fadima Mooneira. Today, I would like to share a review of a novel I finished reading last week. The novel is titled How Do You Live? And it is written by a Japanese legendary author named Genzaburo Yoshino. Now let's begin the review with the author's bio...

ABOUT GENZABURO YOSHINO

Japan's legendary author, editor & journalist ~ Genzaburo Yoshino (Image: New York Times)

Genzaburo Yoshino was born in 1899 and died in 1981. He was an author, editor, and journalist. In 1935, Yamamoto (another Japanese legendary author) appointed Yoshino as editor-in-chief of the 16-book series: A Library For Young Japanese Nationals. How Do You Live? is the final book in the series. How Do You Live? become the most popular book in the series and it is listed as one of Japan's most loved classic novels.

ABOUT HOW DO YOU LIVE?

The novel, How Do You Live? (HDYL) was first published in 1937. HDYL is a simple story about life and coming of age. 

The story follows a 15-years-old boy named Junichi Honda a.k.a Copper. Copper lives in the suburbs of Tokyo with his mother. Copper's father passed away when he was still a little child. Copper is very close to his uncle, a young man who recently graduated from one of the law schools in Tokyo. Copper's uncle is a very wise person. He shares a lot of knowledge about humanity with Copper in the story.

Copper is a very bright and intelligent teenage boy with an inquisitive mind. That's how he gets the nickname 'Copper'. His uncle was the one who gave him that nickname. The nickname Copper was based on a Renaissance mathematician named Nicolaus Copernicus. 

In the story, Copper has four friends~ Kitami, an outspoken and stubborn boy, Mizutani, a shy boy from a wealthy family, and Uragawa, a boy from a poor family who runs a struggling tofu shop. The story doesn't have many conflicts and dramas in it. HDYL is about Copper and his buddies dealing with older bullies who try to torment their lives, and  Copper's earnest attempt to apply his scholarly studies to practical actions. Copper believes that applying his scholarly studies to practical action will help them get over the conflicts of older bullies once and for all.

Hoping to guide Copper toward becoming an adult with emotional intelligence, his uncle poses big questions in the letters they exchange, including "What sort of discovery would be truly useful to humanity and worthy of respect from all?"

Towards the end of the story, Copper's uncle gives him a notebook. And Copper starts writing in the notebook in the final chapter of HDYL. Copper writes his point of view on humanity in the notebook.  Copper believes that it is time for all human beings to treat each other as if they were good friends. Copper also believes that it is time for all humans to shape their humanity again to make the world a better place. And Copper wishes to become a person who can make the world a better place.

On the last page of the novel, the author asks his readers a simple question, "How will you live?" Can you guys answer Yoshino's question?

MY REVIEW OF HOW DO YOU LIVE?

An illustration on the first page of How Do You Live? novel. I believe this illustration is interesting and has a deep meaning in it.

The novel, How Do You Live? was actually a 2021 year-end present from my mother to me ^_^  I'm glad and grateful that my mother bought this novel and made me read it. I believe HDYL is a very good novel to read, and this novel is a must-not-miss.

HDYL is more than just a fiction novel. To me, it is also a book of knowledge. Reading HDYL opens up my mind about humanity, mankind, and the world. This novel taught me about emotional intelligence. Besides humanity and emotional intelligence, reading HDYL also gives me some knowledge of the world's history. Reading this novel makes me learn more about Issac Newton, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Gandhara art. I also learned that it was the Greeks who actually designed and invented the Buddha statue. Wow... this is an interesting fact.

Overall, How Do You Live? is a very brilliant novel. HDYL is a novel that all book lovers must-not-miss. I rate this novel 10/10. I highly recommend my bookworm pals to read this novel. Trust me, guys, you're not going to regret it. Plus, this novel is also good for light reading. It doesn't have many dramas in the story. The plot line is simple, and it is definitely a very fast read. I finished reading it in five days.

HDYL is also suitable for all ages to read. I also believe that this novel will make a good gift for book lovers and children who are coming of age. Therefore, I'm now planning to give How Do You Live? to my nephews and nieces as a birthday present when they all turn 12 years old. Insya-Allah, may Allah S.W.T grant me this wish and doa. Aaamiin.

Ok, so this is my review of How Do You Live? by Genzaburo Yoshino. So has anyone of you read How Do You Live? by Genzaburo Yoshino? If yes, what are your opinions of the novel? Did you enjoy reading it? Please share your opinions of this novel with me in the comment box below ^_^

Before I end this post, I would like to inform my readers that I'll be going on a family vacation this Friday, the 23rd of September 2022. So I'll be taking a break from blogging and writing starting tomorrow, the 21st of September 2022 until the 1st of October 2022. So there will be no post from me on this blog and my author's website, F.Mooneira's Bookshelf starting tomorrow. Btw, I really need this break after all. Hehehe ^_^

Ok, this is all from me. I'll see you guys again in October 2022. Take care.

XoXo,

Fadima Mooneira ^_^

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