Scan barcode
A review by wilsonem
The Beast Player by Nahoko Uehashi
5.0
So let me start off by saying that I loved this book more than I thought I would. My husband picked this right off the shelf as I wondered aimlessly through Barnes & Noble like a complete zombie. I had just finished my first dose of immunotherapy, and I felt like absolute garbage. Looking at the cover, I was immediately taken by the gorgeous artwork. It looked like it was pulled directly from a Studio Ghibli film. I was really hoping that this would pull me out of my reading slump.
The book starts off with a young girl Elin, who lives with her mother who is a steward for the Toda, massive serpent-like beasts who are utilized for war. One morning, they wake up to find that the Toda have been found dead, and Elin’s mother is found accountable for their deaths. Her punishment: execution. Tragically, Elin’s attempts to save her mother’s life is futile, and she is carried away by the very monsters that devour her mother.
Elin washes up on the shore in another territory, and found by a gentle beekeeper who is determined to save her life. When she finally begins to regain her consciousness, he’s taken aback by her sorrowful cries and fever dreams. Who is this child, and what’s happened to her?
Truly, this book is special. I loved the main character, Elin. Looking back at some of the other reviews, I noticed that not everyone liked her. Some went as far as calling her a “Mary Sue.” I laugh at that solely due to the fact that many main characters, novels, movies, and tv-shows alike are, by definition, Mary Sues! For those who aren’t aware, Mary Sues are defined as “a type of female character who is depicted as unrealistically lacking in flaws or weaknesses.” This term was originally coined for fan-made characters in fanfictions. Mary Sues function as “a wish-fulfilment fantasy for the author or reader.”
Honestly, I did NOT find Elin to be a Mary Sue. She comes from a special tribe known for the strange abilities that allow them to connect and communicate with beasts and animals. But this is vital to her role as a catalyst for a prophecy. And despite her thirst for knowledge and her innate ability to communicate with animals, I found plenty of character faults. Firstly, due to her quiet and reserved nature, she finds it extremely hard to express emotion and sentiments to those she cares about. She’s introverted and private, and she often struggles to relate to others. Secondly, she loyal to her cause by a fault. Additionally, she’s extremely headstrong and stubborn, which doesn’t necessarily do her any favors.
Overall, I loved this book. I feel like this would make an excellent Ghibli film. I did find out that this was originally published in 2006, and it was eventually adapted into a manga and an anime. I’ll definitely be interested in checking those out! And I REALLY can’t wait for the next installment.
The book starts off with a young girl Elin, who lives with her mother who is a steward for the Toda, massive serpent-like beasts who are utilized for war. One morning, they wake up to find that the Toda have been found dead, and Elin’s mother is found accountable for their deaths. Her punishment: execution. Tragically, Elin’s attempts to save her mother’s life is futile, and she is carried away by the very monsters that devour her mother.
Elin washes up on the shore in another territory, and found by a gentle beekeeper who is determined to save her life. When she finally begins to regain her consciousness, he’s taken aback by her sorrowful cries and fever dreams. Who is this child, and what’s happened to her?
Truly, this book is special. I loved the main character, Elin. Looking back at some of the other reviews, I noticed that not everyone liked her. Some went as far as calling her a “Mary Sue.” I laugh at that solely due to the fact that many main characters, novels, movies, and tv-shows alike are, by definition, Mary Sues! For those who aren’t aware, Mary Sues are defined as “a type of female character who is depicted as unrealistically lacking in flaws or weaknesses.” This term was originally coined for fan-made characters in fanfictions. Mary Sues function as “a wish-fulfilment fantasy for the author or reader.”
Honestly, I did NOT find Elin to be a Mary Sue. She comes from a special tribe known for the strange abilities that allow them to connect and communicate with beasts and animals. But this is vital to her role as a catalyst for a prophecy. And despite her thirst for knowledge and her innate ability to communicate with animals, I found plenty of character faults. Firstly, due to her quiet and reserved nature, she finds it extremely hard to express emotion and sentiments to those she cares about. She’s introverted and private, and she often struggles to relate to others. Secondly, she loyal to her cause by a fault. Additionally, she’s extremely headstrong and stubborn, which doesn’t necessarily do her any favors.
Overall, I loved this book. I feel like this would make an excellent Ghibli film. I did find out that this was originally published in 2006, and it was eventually adapted into a manga and an anime. I’ll definitely be interested in checking those out! And I REALLY can’t wait for the next installment.