... And with illustrations from Noizi Ito. They're very cute. I don't know why, but there is something ever so fulfilling about reading a book with both prose and pictures.
Or, if you prefer, The Reviewing of Haruhi Suzumiya. Hahaha, please don't hit me.
When Haruhi Suzumiya introduces herself to Kyon by asking if he's an alien, time traveler, or psychic, he knows his chances for a normal high school experience are ruined. Bold Haruhi takes a shine to him, and uses the force of her irrepressible personality to draft him into her club to find paranormal beings. Kyon soon discovers what she's looking for: Haruhi herself has the power to destroy and create entire universes at her whim. But if she knew about her ability, it could spell disaster for everyone. (While somewhat edited, this summary comes from amazon.co.uk. I guess that didn't surprise you. But I do know what will! Pasta!)
My first encounter with this book took place on a rainy afternoon in New York, in a quickly diminishing book shop. There was nothing particulalrly strange about the event, I was simply strolling through the deserted shelves when I caught sight of this book. I then proceeded to issue a squee loud enough to wake the snoozing shop assistants. While they did wake up, they did not give me that strange, irritated look I intended to steal from them. No, I was only indulged that look when I showed up at the counter with approximately half of their manga section piled beneath this book, with my entire life savings account in toe. I waited until I had left the shop until I cracked the book open. I turned out, it kept my attention in an iron grip. Wherever I was, whether I'd be reading it on the train, on the plane, in the hotel room, in various locations of cultural immersion, I was always amused.
If you are to believe me, then I suppose I should give you the reasons as to why this book was amusing, and why my hands were seemingly ductaped to the pages. Although, if a book regarding a girl with some strange ideas and equally strange powers and her intrigued, abducted, beleaguered followers conducting odd shenanigans doesn't quite appeal to you, then you are probably mad. Was it perhaps the plot? Although it breezed along in record time, the plot had quite a standard structure. Or how about the concept, asks the person pressing me for answers. While quirky and very well executed, a book can't rely on the concept to carry itself through. That's a bit like asking an ant to carry an elephant. That would be amusing, I imagine. The ant might have to apply for spinal surgery. Anyway, speaking of questions, why are you asking me them? If one is slightly curious to know, what made me so enamoured of this book was Kyon's narrative. Sometimes, I hear people pining over smart, snarky narratives. If one is ever in need of one of those, then I suggest you pick this book up. A snappy remark is almost guaranteed for every ludicrous yet amusing and quite often illegal situation Haruhi comes up with. And, I trust you believe me, it is glorious.
However, the narrative isn't this only books merits. No, it actually has a few other pieces of artillery neatly tucked away in it's wings. Of which I shall sit here and think of, with an expression of contempt on my face, because I feel like it. Ahh! An idea just had the audacity to drop onto my head. Although I mentioned the plot is structured quite like a ladder, that's not to say that it is entirely simple. No, sometimes ladders break, or sometimes, they grow extra steps because they would just hate to see the victorious grin on your face when you finally reach that light bulb. Haruhi's plot was a little like the devious ladder. It works the setting - an average Japanese high school - to it's advantage. While everything appear normal at first glances, second glace proves it to be anything but, and third glances should tell you to get the hell out of there before something strange happens. This is the perfect setting to spring something unexpected on you, at a purely unexpected moment. And spring stuff on you at unsuspected moments it certainly does. By the end of the book, you've had metric tons of unsuspected twists chucked onto your head, and given the witty way it's executed, you'll probably enjoy it.
This might sound a little perculier, but the characters are both this books greatest pleasure and it's largest downfall. While the characters were a joy to read about, some of them were left completely undeveloped. While they all had distinct personalities, people who weren't Haruhi or Kyon and to some extent, Nagato, didn't really have much attention centered towards them, and therefore very little development. But I digress. Abundance of development, or lack thereof, the characters were fun to read about, and all very diverse. Haruhi, who strangely enough, is not the protagonist, was something like an army commander in her methods, and a walking acid trip in her imagination, all topped off with an extremely irritated (and to some, irritating) attitude. I'm a little scared to admit, but I didn't immediately take to Haruhi, and by the end of the book, my opinion had been ricocheting between sub-par and that level just above sub-par. Why? Because she was selfish, pompus and somewhat bratty. I am willing to admit that it made her more of a well-rounded character, though. Oh, and I am leaving out her relevant ... abilities. Kyon was, as I had previously mentioned, a snarky, straight man with a no nonsense personality but unfortunately has to accept nonsense, otherwise the world will blow up. Why? Because Haruhi would become unamused. Anyhow, he was most definitely like able. Between Haruhi and himself, there was enough depth to contain the entire Indian Ocean.
Now, I may have mentioned that there were some lesser developed but nonetheless important characters. There's Yuki Nagato, the silent (ironically, she doesn't open her mouth very often, but when she does she keeps it open longer than all of the characters lifespans put together and multiplied by the amount of times this review will go off topic) bookworm from outerspace, or a lab, or some place run by a Data Overmind, which may be in a lab outerspace. I did like Yuki, yes, and am not just saying that because if I express the slightest amount of distaste for her I risk being stabbed by an army of forks, but apart from being the (probably, anyway) most badass character in the book, I don't really have much to say here. Which is why I intend to adjust the spot light onto Itsuki Koizumi, the eternally cheerful guy fulfilling 'mysterious exchange student' archetype that Haruhi was fixated on. Up his sleeves he keeps the ability to use ESP (and no, I will not be discussing what I suspect the nature of this ability is today, moving on.) and an extremely camp demeanour. By this point, I feel like I should mention that, despite having the least development out of the main characters, Koizumi is my favourite. And no, this has absolutely nothing to do with his voice actors in the anime, no, no, not at all. There's also Mikuru Asahina, the weak willed girl who Haruhi abducted on the pretense of her being moe and particularly fun to dress up in demeaning costumes. She's also very well endowed. Oh, and she's also a time-traveller. Now, Mikuru is probably one of the most irritating characters, due to her being very weak-willed, but I do admit it was amusing to see her being harassed by Haruhi. Between my sadistic giggles, I almost felt sorry for her. BUT THAT IS BESIDE THE POINT.
Now, if there is one thing that Haruhi thrives on, it's the relationships between the characters. Hell, without the characters interacting, then the book would just kind of be ... Kyon staring at his desk, making non-descript comments about it. Given his narrative, I'm sure he'd definitely make his observations interesting, but whatever. Haruhi and Kyon had some kind of a love-hate relationship, and were an awesome comedic duo when the situation called for it. They also had solid chemistry between them, while the other characters shared shaky connections and interactions with each other if any at all. That said, everyone's relationship with Kyon was very interesting - Nagato seemed very enthusiastic to protect him in her trademark emotionless way, while Kyon was slightly unnerved by her, at the beginning, but when paired together, they make quite the adorable couple. Koizumi made it quite clear that he um, rather likes Kyon, while not being entirely mutual, was interesting to read about and Mikuru probably receives more affection than Haruhi on many, but not all, levels. What was quite remarkable is that people weren't fighting over Haruhi, as people may eventually do in some western YA novels. No, everyone was fascinated by her strange antics, but it was really Haruhi lusting over both Kyon and Mikuru, with Kyon lusting over Haruhi and Mikuru, Mikuru lusting over Kyon and the shrinking chance of freedom. Quite different from your two debatably sexy guys brawling over a girl as interesting as a lamp post.
That out of my mouth, out of the monitor and out of the window, Haruhi does bear a lot of similarities to other western supernatural novels. While it definitely smells like a not so average slice of life comedy anime with some other things thrown in, it also combined many YA supernatural tropes, and to some extent, parodies them. I guarantee you, that if you were to take any book of the Supernatural shelf in the YA section of your nearest bookshop, flip the gender roles, send the plot to a mental asylum and sprinkle in some pretty interspersed illustrations, then you might get something similar to this novel. AND THIS IS A VERY GOOD THING INDEED.
Well, I deem it a suitable time to end the twaddle this review has become. I did evidently enjoy this book, for all of it's flaws and all of it's merits. Boiled down to the simplest way I can put it, it's a wacky, fantastical adventure plummeting along with the pace of a rocket and a cast of characters just as interesting. Unless you don't like books about outer space. Or time travel. Or if one dislikes what ESP actually turns out to be. Anyhow, it's almost insured that there will be at least one thing that you'll enjoy, or at least betray a begrudging chuckle at. It may not be for everyone, but I absolutely love it. And unless you all want to be turned into fish food, I suggest you pick it up.
☆☆☆☆.5
When Haruhi Suzumiya introduces herself to Kyon by asking if he's an alien, time traveler, or psychic, he knows his chances for a normal high school experience are ruined. Bold Haruhi takes a shine to him, and uses the force of her irrepressible personality to draft him into her club to find paranormal beings. Kyon soon discovers what she's looking for: Haruhi herself has the power to destroy and create entire universes at her whim. But if she knew about her ability, it could spell disaster for everyone. (While somewhat edited, this summary comes from amazon.co.uk. I guess that didn't surprise you. But I do know what will! Pasta!)
My first encounter with this book took place on a rainy afternoon in New York, in a quickly diminishing book shop. There was nothing particulalrly strange about the event, I was simply strolling through the deserted shelves when I caught sight of this book. I then proceeded to issue a squee loud enough to wake the snoozing shop assistants. While they did wake up, they did not give me that strange, irritated look I intended to steal from them. No, I was only indulged that look when I showed up at the counter with approximately half of their manga section piled beneath this book, with my entire life savings account in toe. I waited until I had left the shop until I cracked the book open. I turned out, it kept my attention in an iron grip. Wherever I was, whether I'd be reading it on the train, on the plane, in the hotel room, in various locations of cultural immersion, I was always amused.
If you are to believe me, then I suppose I should give you the reasons as to why this book was amusing, and why my hands were seemingly ductaped to the pages. Although, if a book regarding a girl with some strange ideas and equally strange powers and her intrigued, abducted, beleaguered followers conducting odd shenanigans doesn't quite appeal to you, then you are probably mad. Was it perhaps the plot? Although it breezed along in record time, the plot had quite a standard structure. Or how about the concept, asks the person pressing me for answers. While quirky and very well executed, a book can't rely on the concept to carry itself through. That's a bit like asking an ant to carry an elephant. That would be amusing, I imagine. The ant might have to apply for spinal surgery. Anyway, speaking of questions, why are you asking me them? If one is slightly curious to know, what made me so enamoured of this book was Kyon's narrative. Sometimes, I hear people pining over smart, snarky narratives. If one is ever in need of one of those, then I suggest you pick this book up. A snappy remark is almost guaranteed for every ludicrous yet amusing and quite often illegal situation Haruhi comes up with. And, I trust you believe me, it is glorious.
However, the narrative isn't this only books merits. No, it actually has a few other pieces of artillery neatly tucked away in it's wings. Of which I shall sit here and think of, with an expression of contempt on my face, because I feel like it. Ahh! An idea just had the audacity to drop onto my head. Although I mentioned the plot is structured quite like a ladder, that's not to say that it is entirely simple. No, sometimes ladders break, or sometimes, they grow extra steps because they would just hate to see the victorious grin on your face when you finally reach that light bulb. Haruhi's plot was a little like the devious ladder. It works the setting - an average Japanese high school - to it's advantage. While everything appear normal at first glances, second glace proves it to be anything but, and third glances should tell you to get the hell out of there before something strange happens. This is the perfect setting to spring something unexpected on you, at a purely unexpected moment. And spring stuff on you at unsuspected moments it certainly does. By the end of the book, you've had metric tons of unsuspected twists chucked onto your head, and given the witty way it's executed, you'll probably enjoy it.
This might sound a little perculier, but the characters are both this books greatest pleasure and it's largest downfall. While the characters were a joy to read about, some of them were left completely undeveloped. While they all had distinct personalities, people who weren't Haruhi or Kyon and to some extent, Nagato, didn't really have much attention centered towards them, and therefore very little development. But I digress. Abundance of development, or lack thereof, the characters were fun to read about, and all very diverse. Haruhi, who strangely enough, is not the protagonist, was something like an army commander in her methods, and a walking acid trip in her imagination, all topped off with an extremely irritated (and to some, irritating) attitude. I'm a little scared to admit, but I didn't immediately take to Haruhi, and by the end of the book, my opinion had been ricocheting between sub-par and that level just above sub-par. Why? Because she was selfish, pompus and somewhat bratty. I am willing to admit that it made her more of a well-rounded character, though. Oh, and I am leaving out her relevant ... abilities. Kyon was, as I had previously mentioned, a snarky, straight man with a no nonsense personality but unfortunately has to accept nonsense, otherwise the world will blow up. Why? Because Haruhi would become unamused. Anyhow, he was most definitely like able. Between Haruhi and himself, there was enough depth to contain the entire Indian Ocean.
Now, I may have mentioned that there were some lesser developed but nonetheless important characters. There's Yuki Nagato, the silent (ironically, she doesn't open her mouth very often, but when she does she keeps it open longer than all of the characters lifespans put together and multiplied by the amount of times this review will go off topic) bookworm from outerspace, or a lab, or some place run by a Data Overmind, which may be in a lab outerspace. I did like Yuki, yes, and am not just saying that because if I express the slightest amount of distaste for her I risk being stabbed by an army of forks, but apart from being the (probably, anyway) most badass character in the book, I don't really have much to say here. Which is why I intend to adjust the spot light onto Itsuki Koizumi, the eternally cheerful guy fulfilling 'mysterious exchange student' archetype that Haruhi was fixated on. Up his sleeves he keeps the ability to use ESP (and no, I will not be discussing what I suspect the nature of this ability is today, moving on.) and an extremely camp demeanour. By this point, I feel like I should mention that, despite having the least development out of the main characters, Koizumi is my favourite. And no, this has absolutely nothing to do with his voice actors in the anime, no, no, not at all. There's also Mikuru Asahina, the weak willed girl who Haruhi abducted on the pretense of her being moe and particularly fun to dress up in demeaning costumes. She's also very well endowed. Oh, and she's also a time-traveller. Now, Mikuru is probably one of the most irritating characters, due to her being very weak-willed, but I do admit it was amusing to see her being harassed by Haruhi. Between my sadistic giggles, I almost felt sorry for her. BUT THAT IS BESIDE THE POINT.
Now, if there is one thing that Haruhi thrives on, it's the relationships between the characters. Hell, without the characters interacting, then the book would just kind of be ... Kyon staring at his desk, making non-descript comments about it. Given his narrative, I'm sure he'd definitely make his observations interesting, but whatever. Haruhi and Kyon had some kind of a love-hate relationship, and were an awesome comedic duo when the situation called for it. They also had solid chemistry between them, while the other characters shared shaky connections and interactions with each other if any at all. That said, everyone's relationship with Kyon was very interesting - Nagato seemed very enthusiastic to protect him in her trademark emotionless way, while Kyon was slightly unnerved by her, at the beginning, but when paired together, they make quite the adorable couple. Koizumi made it quite clear that he um, rather likes Kyon, while not being entirely mutual, was interesting to read about and Mikuru probably receives more affection than Haruhi on many, but not all, levels. What was quite remarkable is that people weren't fighting over Haruhi, as people may eventually do in some western YA novels. No, everyone was fascinated by her strange antics, but it was really Haruhi lusting over both Kyon and Mikuru, with Kyon lusting over Haruhi and Mikuru, Mikuru lusting over Kyon and the shrinking chance of freedom. Quite different from your two debatably sexy guys brawling over a girl as interesting as a lamp post.
That out of my mouth, out of the monitor and out of the window, Haruhi does bear a lot of similarities to other western supernatural novels. While it definitely smells like a not so average slice of life comedy anime with some other things thrown in, it also combined many YA supernatural tropes, and to some extent, parodies them. I guarantee you, that if you were to take any book of the Supernatural shelf in the YA section of your nearest bookshop, flip the gender roles, send the plot to a mental asylum and sprinkle in some pretty interspersed illustrations, then you might get something similar to this novel. AND THIS IS A VERY GOOD THING INDEED.
Well, I deem it a suitable time to end the twaddle this review has become. I did evidently enjoy this book, for all of it's flaws and all of it's merits. Boiled down to the simplest way I can put it, it's a wacky, fantastical adventure plummeting along with the pace of a rocket and a cast of characters just as interesting. Unless you don't like books about outer space. Or time travel. Or if one dislikes what ESP actually turns out to be. Anyhow, it's almost insured that there will be at least one thing that you'll enjoy, or at least betray a begrudging chuckle at. It may not be for everyone, but I absolutely love it. And unless you all want to be turned into fish food, I suggest you pick it up.
☆☆☆☆.5
I'm now toying with the idea of linking you to the Hare Hare Yukai.
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