Reviews

Les Enfants du Temps by Makoto Shinkai

akeru's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

phiephels's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

rverr316's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

chellery's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

lottie1803's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

danielle2121's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

3.5

heartpages's review against another edition

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4.0

I don't remember how I came to this book; I haven't yet seen "Your Name" though it's been highly recommended. But I'm glad I found Shinkai's recent work, because this is a gem. It expertly blends magic - a girl who can control the weather - with realism. You see relationships evolve across generations, genders, cities, and professions. It's a story about seeking and finding, on so many levels. And ultimately, a story of love, which is so delicate as to be a backdrop for the otherwise tangible plot.

One thing that didn't work for me was the change in narrator; and yet I was pleased the sections weren't named for the characters, so once I got the hang of it, it was a welcome mystery to solve. I wonder if this was a technique that didn't translate well.

Either way, the accompanying film is at the top of my list. That they were written simultaneously is a brilliant nugget I'm proud to explore. Shinkai's afterward, discussing what the different styles require and what he added for the novel, was fascinating. It opened my mind on many literary levels.

inesadsdias's review against another edition

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5.0

“Who cares if we don't see the sunshine again, I want you more than any blue sky."

dyaayd's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The premise itself is fascinating. However, this book put me in a reading slump a few times. The reason being that the writing is lacking in ways that you get confused with whose POV you're reading from. It always jumps from one character to another without being clear about the scene and the character. I understand that the book is meant for light reading, but I believe it is still possible to tell the story smoothly without using a lot of description. If this book had been properly edited, it could have gotten a higher rating from me.

jchaisson's review against another edition

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5.0

A wonderful companion to the film.