Fault Lines

Essentially flawless for me.

I enjoyed the writing and the descriptions of Japanese culture but I don't think I relate to the unhappy housewife. I also didn't really understand the where the shift in her relationship with her husband comes from, like how did it go from being so bad she wanted to jump out a window to them watching movies together without ever discussing their issues? And I did feel like the ending was anticlimactic.

Fault Lines delves into the life of a Japanese woman at a crucial juncture in her journey. She grapples with a sense of invisibility and a lack of connection within her marriage, where the roles of parenthood and conformity have left her emotionally and physically unfulfilled. She navigates her days as a devoted mother and a part-time Japanese language instructor to foreigners.

As she and her husband find themselves ensnared in the routine monotony of their marriage, diligently tending to their children but neglecting their own desires, a chance encounter with a man reshapes her world. Initially, their relationship is grounded in friendship, but as the boundaries between friendship and love begin to blur, she is compelled to reevaluate the direction her life should take.

Faut Lines is a masterfully crafted narrative that elegantly balances wit and tenderness. The author's keen focus on the choices we make and their profound impact on our lives adds depth to the storyline. The story is replete with unexpected turns and twists, and the protagonist's decisions are far from predictable, making the reading experience all the more enthralling. I loved this book so much and still find myself thinking about it months later.

The first 2 chapters drew me in. The narrators first person account of her angst, dissatisfaction and perplexity at why, was engaging, funny, real and relatable. Then she lost me. The narrator, for me, is a boring bored housewife. I skimmed 100 pages and gave up. If the rest of the book were as carefully crafted as the first 14 pages, this book would be a gem.

Actual rating: 3.5★

Rounded up because Mizuki, the main character, is super relatable. This one didn't grab me as much as I expected, even though it's still quite a nice read. I was hoping there would be more portrayal of the stale marriage and motherhood, but the book actually spends a lot of time explaining other aspects such as Mizuki's background and life before she got married. Which is also necessary, to be fair, but the portion of it is so huge it kind of overshadows the moments when she talks about her life now and why she's so unhappy with it. It's like watching a series of flashbacks back to back.

While I'm sure a lot of people would be upset about Mizuki's decision at the end, I can understand why she did. Life in Asia is just so different, with so many aspects that you have to consider before you make major decisions like leaving your husband simply because you're unhappy about your marriage. It might work just fine in Western countries, but in Asia it's not that easy to have the freedom to make that kind of choice. You can even see it in the book, from the way people judge Mizuki for doing something that isn't considered normal or proper.

...and there's no guarantee Kiyoshi wouldn't just turn into Tatsuya 2.0 if Mizuki chooses him and they get married. That's just how men are, sadly. If you disagree, consider yourself very lucky since it's not a pleasant experience to watch the gradual change.

The writing style took some time for me to get used to, but it's surprisingly snarky and funny. I enjoyed it even if it's quite different from my expectations.