Review of Ghost With Two Hearts
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MEGHA CHHARI
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Review of Ghost With Two Hearts
[Following is a volunteer review of "Ghost With Two Hearts" by michael r french.]
"I was drawn to my own inadequacies for a good reason. Humans were flawed for a reason – they needed their imperfections to be driven to overcome them, to help stay alive."
Adrian, our protagonist, is a brilliant but disillusioned coder yearning for something more. A grandchild trying to rectify his grandfather's wrongdoing in World War ll with one of the Japanese soldiers, his trip to Japan is initially driven by a desire to apologize for the same. Adrian is genuinely different from other outsiders who are just not trying to act like Japanese by eating Takoyaki and pickled vegetables and visiting shrines, but someone whose life takes a fantastical turn when he becomes entangled with a Shinto ghost, a kami. A culture has been portrayed through its reverie and euphemism for Adrian as he loves and opposes the culture simultaneously. In contrast, the culture and people entice him, but they also repel as conservatives treating him as a gaijin. Various messages of life and death, along with the in-betweens, are swallowed by Adrian in more than one way.
Japanese culture was heartily beautiful, be it the Jizo caring for children, even for those who passed away, or the way Adrian always went into a state of trance while he was in Japan due to the cultural depictions and engulfment of nature.
The Shinto ghost is intriguing and amusing, and it is undoubtedly an exemplary depiction of numerous children of this generation, as concepts of suicide, pride, family reputation, academic pressure, etc., surface. Adrian, forgetting everything to help a kami, was seen as a lost soul trying to find a purpose and fulfil someone's happiness. The situation of a human trying to find forgiveness for his friend, a kami from the goddess, seems really innocent and genuine; it warms the heart of the reader when you see someone genuinely trying their best for their friends to have a good life; in a nutshell, it's a story of two friends, one trying to better the life of the other by keeping his whole world aside. A human communicates through emas to God to forgive his friend and love, a kami, as he becomes a mediator between the two. A human trying to rectify the mistakes of his close ones and gods so that even those who had been punished unjustly—just because the gods were in a rush that day—could find happiness again. But would God grant him his wish, considering he's a permanent outsider, pessimist and sceptic who questioned everything?
The storyline is unique, and the characters evolve at a pace you understand and remember. The story is a unique and new perspective that has been presented to the interdisciplinary of mortals and souls, specifically in the Shinto afterlife. The instances with Josh didn't impact the plot or story much, so if he could've been kept for a few key scenes, it would be a suggestion, and the last part with the "teacher" felt high-paced; I hope these suggestions can help. The book's brevity and unique perspective on the relationship between mortals and the Shinto afterlife make it a truly remarkable read, alongside the humour that is sprinkled throughout the story, even in the most bizarre situations, which keeps the narrative engaging; therefore, l rate it 5/5.
The author has written the piece as a travelogue of one's conscious journey to his own subconscious and inner feelings; he does so subtly, weaving cultural details into the narrative without overwhelming the reader. The author says so much with so few words, ah, the brevity of his writings! Adrian's character arc is both relatable and thought-provoking. French's impeccable storytelling and his ability to evoke a sense of wonder make this book a must-read for anyone who enjoys a captivating adventure with a touch of unknown happiness.
It feels so real. The imagination can be so detailed that it feels real, and the way Japanese culture has been flawlessly incorporated into the book has been very informative and engaging to read. It's a good piece of writing. The paramount details about Japanese concepts are finding a purpose and place in your and others' lives and the art of living life, be it either by floral designs or gift wrapping or the delicacy of nature being adored upon. You can find yourself reading history at times, reflecting on the knowledge and relations between East and West, along with the thoughts of philosophers of Zen Buddhism, Nishida, William James, etc. The story unfolds at a comfortable pace, allowing you to connect with the characters and their growth. The breaks in the narrative feel natural, and the story stays with you long after you turn the last page. Whether you're looking for an afternoon escape or a thought-provoking exploration of culture and self, this book is a gem. It's a read into another person's life, which can be read with curiosity. One would gather tons of information from this one book wherein the information flows like water. Unconsciously, you're surrounded by the environment portrayed in the book; you might start walking alongside the genius coder who's searching for a reverie. The feelings are uncatchable when you read a good book, and that's the most happy feeling.
******
Ghost With Two Hearts
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
"I was drawn to my own inadequacies for a good reason. Humans were flawed for a reason – they needed their imperfections to be driven to overcome them, to help stay alive."
Adrian, our protagonist, is a brilliant but disillusioned coder yearning for something more. A grandchild trying to rectify his grandfather's wrongdoing in World War ll with one of the Japanese soldiers, his trip to Japan is initially driven by a desire to apologize for the same. Adrian is genuinely different from other outsiders who are just not trying to act like Japanese by eating Takoyaki and pickled vegetables and visiting shrines, but someone whose life takes a fantastical turn when he becomes entangled with a Shinto ghost, a kami. A culture has been portrayed through its reverie and euphemism for Adrian as he loves and opposes the culture simultaneously. In contrast, the culture and people entice him, but they also repel as conservatives treating him as a gaijin. Various messages of life and death, along with the in-betweens, are swallowed by Adrian in more than one way.
Japanese culture was heartily beautiful, be it the Jizo caring for children, even for those who passed away, or the way Adrian always went into a state of trance while he was in Japan due to the cultural depictions and engulfment of nature.
The Shinto ghost is intriguing and amusing, and it is undoubtedly an exemplary depiction of numerous children of this generation, as concepts of suicide, pride, family reputation, academic pressure, etc., surface. Adrian, forgetting everything to help a kami, was seen as a lost soul trying to find a purpose and fulfil someone's happiness. The situation of a human trying to find forgiveness for his friend, a kami from the goddess, seems really innocent and genuine; it warms the heart of the reader when you see someone genuinely trying their best for their friends to have a good life; in a nutshell, it's a story of two friends, one trying to better the life of the other by keeping his whole world aside. A human communicates through emas to God to forgive his friend and love, a kami, as he becomes a mediator between the two. A human trying to rectify the mistakes of his close ones and gods so that even those who had been punished unjustly—just because the gods were in a rush that day—could find happiness again. But would God grant him his wish, considering he's a permanent outsider, pessimist and sceptic who questioned everything?
The storyline is unique, and the characters evolve at a pace you understand and remember. The story is a unique and new perspective that has been presented to the interdisciplinary of mortals and souls, specifically in the Shinto afterlife. The instances with Josh didn't impact the plot or story much, so if he could've been kept for a few key scenes, it would be a suggestion, and the last part with the "teacher" felt high-paced; I hope these suggestions can help. The book's brevity and unique perspective on the relationship between mortals and the Shinto afterlife make it a truly remarkable read, alongside the humour that is sprinkled throughout the story, even in the most bizarre situations, which keeps the narrative engaging; therefore, l rate it 5/5.
The author has written the piece as a travelogue of one's conscious journey to his own subconscious and inner feelings; he does so subtly, weaving cultural details into the narrative without overwhelming the reader. The author says so much with so few words, ah, the brevity of his writings! Adrian's character arc is both relatable and thought-provoking. French's impeccable storytelling and his ability to evoke a sense of wonder make this book a must-read for anyone who enjoys a captivating adventure with a touch of unknown happiness.
It feels so real. The imagination can be so detailed that it feels real, and the way Japanese culture has been flawlessly incorporated into the book has been very informative and engaging to read. It's a good piece of writing. The paramount details about Japanese concepts are finding a purpose and place in your and others' lives and the art of living life, be it either by floral designs or gift wrapping or the delicacy of nature being adored upon. You can find yourself reading history at times, reflecting on the knowledge and relations between East and West, along with the thoughts of philosophers of Zen Buddhism, Nishida, William James, etc. The story unfolds at a comfortable pace, allowing you to connect with the characters and their growth. The breaks in the narrative feel natural, and the story stays with you long after you turn the last page. Whether you're looking for an afternoon escape or a thought-provoking exploration of culture and self, this book is a gem. It's a read into another person's life, which can be read with curiosity. One would gather tons of information from this one book wherein the information flows like water. Unconsciously, you're surrounded by the environment portrayed in the book; you might start walking alongside the genius coder who's searching for a reverie. The feelings are uncatchable when you read a good book, and that's the most happy feeling.
******
Ghost With Two Hearts
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Virtuous Physician by Elliott B. Martin, Jr.
