oli

so grim. knowing this is adapted off a partly autobiographical novel is so haunting, just showing the reach of human despair. not having read the original novel, I already feel that Junji Ito was perfect for this, and might be his most horrifying work for me. it’s a shift from his more supernatural works into a more spiritual one, which just makes it seem more ‘real’. And Ito just lets loose when given the opportunity to delve into the anguishing mind of one character, there’s just such amazing artistry in visualising Oba’s anguishing convictions.

Claire writes so intentionally in this short, not a word feels wasted. A desolate piece covering misogyny where I just felt like Cathal just deserves this hollow life he's living out in all honesty. Claire doesn't give us any introspective insight into Cathal or whether there's even a shred of reflection, showing how engrained his mindset is, which also reinforces this misogynistic culture around men. Cathal only acts out of interest for himself and lacks genuine compassion or love.

took me like two years of on and off reading (not an avid reader) and it was so worth it. just an amazing saga from start to finish. love how as we meet the children of these characters, they slowly start to get fleshed out as they grow older. Sunja’s journey from start to finish is so heavy, her presence just adds so much more weight to her family’s individual lives.