A review by jlewis
Before Your Memory Fades: A Novel by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

I loved the first 2 books but felt this was disappointing. I didn’t feel much sense of connection with most of the characters and many of the conversations felt very stilted - I’m not convinced that this was just down to the translation. There was also endless repetition between and often within the stories, which became quite tedious. 
I agree entirely with the previous reviewer who says they are tired of every story concerning someone with a mysterious illness who dies. 
And I feel that the philosophy of not being endlessly unhappy about the death of a loved one is incomplete - there is no discussion of where necessary and appropriate grief belongs. 
Finally, Dr Saki clearly lacks any of the necessary skills to be a psychiatrist - she seems wholly lacking in sensitivity 

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