"Humanism is about reading, it is about perspective. It is also the practice of identities...." -Edward Said
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Kyoko Mori Shizuko's DaughterHumanities I T/W/F 5/13
After reading Shizuko's Daughter by Kyoko Mori, answer the following: How does Yuki's creativity and independence affect the choices she makes after high school? (Post one comment using MLA/Html format-no less than 300 words.)
21 comments:
Charnita B
said...
This book really intrigued me. This book took my mind places where I never thought it could go. I cannot stress enough how much this book has changed my perception on life. Before, I thought this book was going to be very boring and I would not understand a word of it. I found out I was wrong. As soon as I read the first chapter my eyes started to water. It was so sad that Yuki’s mother killed herself at the beginning when she was only about twelve years old. Until this day I still do not understand why Shizuko killed herself. She stated in the book that people would talk about her and think her decision was stupid and selfish. I think the same thing, but then again this situation prepared her for life. At times this book was funny, but overall the book was pure sadness. I have never read a book that was based around one emotion. When I read books I usually sense different kinds of vibes. In this book I could not do that. To be such a young child I believe Yuki handled the situation very well. She did not show any emotion until the day of her mother’s funeral. If I was Yuki I would be crying from the day that I found her until now. I would never get over the fact that I have just lost my mother. Over all I would say Yuki is a strong young lady. She has proven herself through the toughest of times. She could have run away when she was asked to move with her father, but she didn’t. This book has taught me how to handle serious situations in a more mature manner rather than in a childish way. I really enjoyed this book; I wouldn’t mind reading more of her works.
In Shizuko’s Daughter by Kyoko Mori, Yuki developed the traits of independence and creativity which affected her throughout her life. Yuki’s creativity and independence affect her choices after high school by it gets her into a college for arts. It also makes her regret her choices. When her grandfather died, she wished that she would have spent more time with him. Also her independence affected her relationship with her immediate family. Yuki and Hideki, her father, relationship is non communicative. Even when her mother was alive, they had an awkward relationship. When Yuki gets older, her independence affects their relationship by when she left for college, they never write to each other. I think Hideki’s independence influenced Yuki’s independence. Her independence also kept others from knowing what she was doing. Yuki did not invite her parents to her track meets and she did not invite them to her graduation. Her independence also affected her because she things inside and when they came out, she either got angry or she cried. Yuki and her grandmother’s relationship is affected as well by Yuki’s independence because now they do not talk as much and if they do talk, Yuki has to be patient otherwise she would get mad like the time at her Aunt Aya’s wedding. Her independence also may come off as shy or ignorant as her stepmother describes it and her school teacher. Yuki’s creativity affected her by she met Isamu at Nagasaki school which she would not have met if she went to Mr. Kimura’s college. Her creativity also helps her remember her mother because she sketched pictures of the things that had mother had, and the clothes that sewed. Her creativity also was admired by other people because her art teacher would hang up all the good works and Yuki was one the people that was chosen. Yuki’s independence and creativity did not only affect her choices but her relationships with other as well as how people saw her as a person.
Shizuko’s Daughter is a very intriguing story about a girl name Yuki, whose creativeness and independence allows her to overcome the disaster of her mother’s death. In the beginning of the story, Yuki was described as a tough and strong child. She fought anyone who deprived her of her freedom, whether in the classroom or the playground. However, when her mother committed suicide, Yuki’s personality began to hide behind crevices; like a bug crawling away from the world. I wouldn’t say that her personality disappeared or left her forever, but it just took a vacation, too tired to face the real world. Of course she was tough still, for she lived with her evil stepmother without taking a punch. She even put up with the cruel and neglecting father. However, her willingness to share her open opinions lessened on the surface. As time passed and Yuki became a young lady, she learned how to read the truth behind people’s expressions and what they really thought about her family. She knew that her community was not just based on family and traditions, but also appearances. If Yuki didn’t pretend to be at least one percent satisfied with her family, all of her town would notice and simultaneously judge her. When Yuki finally graduated from high school and went away to college, her strength and creativeness allowed her to move on and find a new way of life. She found a new home to live in with her own money and she even made new friends. Speaking of friends, she found a truly special and irresistible one –Isamu. Without her passion, strength, and independence, she wouldn’t be able to be brave enough to dive into a new and (hopefully) everlasting relationship. Even with the occurring death of her grandfather, her personality finally appeared out of her crevices and made a breakthrough.
I believe that Yuki as a person is not only creative and independent, but also because of the influences from her mother she is that type of person. In the beginning of Shizuko’s Daughter Shizuko thinks about the skirt she was making foe Yuki, and the different things that she and her daughter had done together. Also when Yuki begins going through things in the attic before she goes to college she reflects on the many items of clothing that her mother had made for her. She also looks at the boxes of art and papers that she wrote that her mother saved. Those things from the start tell you that Yuki is a creative person. I think that after seeing everything in the attic Yuki knew that she was making the right decision of going to art school after college. It made sense, she could relate to her mother and she could follow her passion. Being an independent person does create some problems in Yuki’s life after high school though. For example when Isamu began asking for Yuki’s attention, and she refused to encourage it. Towards the end Yuki seems to understand that it’s okay to be independent but sometimes it’s the right thing to just give in. But Yuki being independent is not always a bad thing. When she found a way to make money to go to college and pay for it herself I think it showed that she was independent to her parents. Not only did she not ask for any help, but she also did not let them expect her to ever ask for any help. When a person does something on their own, such as going to college, they show a great deal of responsibility and independence which is exactly what Yuki does.
In "Shizuko's Daughter" written by Kyoko Mori, Yuki faced a horrible tragedy, the death of her mother. At only twelve years of age, Yuki found her mother on the kitchen floor with gas fumes floating through the air. Every since that day, Yuki became extremely independent. Prior to her mother's death, Yuki didn't have a healthy relationship with her dad, and the kids at her school feared her. Yuki was already independent and creative but her mother's death put Yuki in an awkward position and the only person who she could depend on was herself and her Aunt Aya until her father moved her back to Kobe. Yuki basically had to fin for herself most of her life and she was facing the world alone. Yuki's creative and independence affected her choices after high school because Yuki always knew that she was interested in art, but because she was so independent she allowed herself to know what were her heart desires were, art. While Yuki was in college, she was able to find friends who had the same interests as Yuki. Yuki also expressed her artistic side by drawing things that were special to her and her mother. Before I finished reading the book, I could foreshadow that Yuki was interested in art because of the way she examined the flowers in the park near her house, and how well she looked at each feature of the flowers. Because of her mother death, Yuki may have wanted to express her true feelings, because she had no one to truly understand her, through art. Yuki was so independent, that no one really knew what she was up to and, in a way, she would shut some people out of her life. Yuki grew up to a strong and independent woman just as her mother had wished before she left to a new world.
In the book Shizuko’s Daughter by Kyoko Mori, it is hard to miss how creative and independent Yuki grew up to be. Her mother Shizuko taught her many things. She did not teach Yuki math or writing, rather things that would make her a better and stronger person; and thank goodness she did. Before her death, Shizuko and her daughter Yuki would have so much fun together shopping for pottery, drawing, and planting flowers. Some might say they lived in the moment. But for Shizuko these moments went by too fast. After her mother’s suicide, Yuki was practically alone. Her father didn’t love her and was now married to his secretary who was ashamed of her. Yuki was forced to live with her father and his wife. Yuki stayed out of the house as much as she possibly could by drawing, running track, and working. Hanae, her father’s wife, disapproved of the teachings of Shizuko. Hanae once said to Yuki that her mother taught her nothing and that’s why she did not have any manners. Hanae was a Barbie and thought that Yuki was a spoiled tomboy. Yuki was not good at cooking and lacked a sense of style according to Hanae. Yuki paid no attention to material things, she rather be at her desk drawing or outside running. Considering that she hated her father and his wife Hanae, she would never ask them for anything; money, clothes, etc. This independence greatly affected the choices she makes after graduating from high school. Seeing that she was not fit to be a typical stay at home wife, she decided to go to an arts college that she paid for herself. Her family disagreed with her decision, but did not stop her. Yuki went far away from home so that she would never have to see her father and Hanae ever again. She did not plan to write or visit. Her being independent was very important. If she wasn’t independent her father and Hanae would always have strings on her. Yuki would always owe them something. Yuki did not want this so she worked for her money and paid for her stay and tuition in college. Yuki would never have to count on those horrible people ever again. If she were able to count on her family more, she probably would have gone to a closer and better college. Luckily in the end, Yuki was happy with her decision and never looked back or regretted what she did.
In Shizuko’s Daughter Yuki’s creativeness and independence allowed her to overcome her mothers’ tragic death. Neither her father or Yuki cried at the time that her mother died. Many people explained to Yuki how strong she was at the time of her mothers death. Even though Yuki seemed strong she still knew she would never forget her mother and would miss and think of her always. But as result to her mothers death she somewhat began to be more secretive and keeping her feelings to herself. Through independence she learned to do for herself. Living with her stepmother and father, who rarely spoke a word to Yuki, was an example of that. She stuck with them, however, because she knew how badly her community would be judging her. Based on the expressions of peoples faces she knew what they all thought about her family. For example, her stepmother, early in the engagement to Yuki’s father kept her distance from him because she knew what everyone would think about her since she was marrying him so close to the time of Shizuko’s death. By the time she graduated high school and found her own place to live she became stronger, and more independent. She rightfully could make her own smart choices and made new friends such as the unforgettable Isamu. She met him on he first day in college, in the library. She explained how he was standing by the window with a large photography book in his hands then closing the book he smiled at Yuki, she would never forget that moment. She also became stronger by overcoming her grandfather, Takeo’s death, she was able to move on with her life. Overcoming these type of events is what makes a person stronger and seem like they have the ability to face anything.
In the book Shizuko’s Daughter by Kyoko Mori, the main character, Yuki, loses her mother at the vulnerable age of twelve. Yuki and her mother, Shizuko, have always shared a special bond, and the sudden loss of her closest companion leaves Yuki feeling helpless and alone. However, her father’s marriage to another woman shortly after the death of his wife leaves Yuki to fend for herself, which allows her to develop the strong traits of independence and creativity. Yuki is able to make do on her own for many years, and although she grieves deeply for the loss of her mother, she matures emotionally at a much faster pace than the other children her age. Yuki’s mother had a large influence on her, and her creativity inspired Yuki. Her classmates are convinced that she is the most artistic out of all of them, and her experiences in high school lead her to decide that she is going to go to a college that focuses on the arts. She is convinced that this is where she would be happiest and succeed the most at. Later in the book, Yuki’s father comes across her mother’s old sketchbook, which he mails to her. Upon discovering this piece of her mother, Yuki is inspired to move on with her life and do things she would not have done before. This allows Yuki to become emotionally involved with a man she meets at college, and they end up spending the rest of their lives together. Yuki’s creativity and independence allow her to rely on her own abilities to make decisions; and she perseveres with the creativity that she shares with her mother. Throughout the book, although Shizuko is only present for a short section of it, she remains a large part of Yuki’s life. She affected her greatly, and without her mother’s influence, Yuki would not have developed into such a strong character.
In the book Shizuko’s Daughter by Kyoko Mori, the main character, Yuki, loses her mother at the vulnerable age of twelve. Yuki and her mother, Shizuko, have always shared a special bond, and the sudden loss of her closest companion leaves Yuki feeling helpless and alone. However, her father’s marriage to another woman shortly after the death of his wife leaves Yuki to fend for herself, which allows her to develop the strong traits of independence and creativity. Yuki is able to make do on her own for many years, and although she grieves deeply for the loss of her mother, she matures emotionally at a much faster pace than the other children her age. Yuki’s mother had a large influence on her, and her creativity inspired Yuki. Her classmates are convinced that she is the most artistic out of all of them, and her experiences in high school lead her to decide that she is going to go to a college that focuses on the arts. She is convinced that this is where she would be happiest and succeed the most at. Later in the book, Yuki’s father comes across her mother’s old sketchbook, which he mails to her. Upon discovering this piece of her mother, Yuki is inspired to move on with her life and do things she would not have done before. This allows Yuki to become emotionally involved with a man she meets at college, and they end up spending the rest of their lives together. Yuki’s creativity and independence allow her to rely on her own abilities to make decisions; and she perseveres with the creativity that she shares with her mother. Throughout the book, although Shizuko is only present for a short section of it, she remains a large part of Yuki’s life. She affected her greatly, and without her mother’s influence, Yuki would not have developed into such a strong character.
The book Shizuko’s Daughter, really gave me an abundance of emotions. Yuki was a very special girl who encountered many ups and downs in her life. Yuki’s creativity and independence affected the choices she made in her life in a big way. The way it affected her is it got her into art school. After all of the struggles that Yuki went through in her life, there was a way that she benefited from it. But, as she looks back at life she regrets the fact that she did not spent a lot of time with her family after the death of her mother. In the book, Yuki looks through her mothers boxes of arts and papers, which in a sense influences her in what she enjoyed doing. This is one thing in her life that contributed to her going to art school. Her mother was one of the major people who were an inspiration in her life. Throughout Yuki’s life she seemed to not have a decent understanding of being independent. But, as she got older she learned that being independent is one way that you will need in order to survive in life. Based on this book, I learned that Yuki is a very strong young woman. She went through the death of her mother, being mistreated by her step-mother and her father, being mistreated by her teacher, and not really having a tight relationship with anyone. When she got older, she did not let her childhood make the worse of her. Instead she followed her dreams and made the best of herself. She began making her own money and living life to her fullest potential. In a way her childhood actually made the best of her. In the end, I enjoyed this book and it had an affect on the way that I think about things.
In class, we read the book Shizuko's Daughter. This book is about a young twelve year old girl, named Yuki and her suicidal mother, Shizuko. In the beginning of the book, Yuki is at piano lessons when Shizuko commits suicide. She writes a note for Yuki, leaving it on the kitchen table, reminding how much she loves her. She also wrote a note for Yuki’s father, then ripping it to pieces right before her death. Yuki comes home from her piano, finding her mother dead on the kitchen floor. After the death, Yuki then moves in with her aunt Aya, then moving in with her father and new stepmother. Yuki does not enjoy living with them. The stepmother, Hanae, is abusive towards Yuki, at one point pushing her down the stairs, causing a broken ankle. Her father is rude, and lets Hanae treat Yuki the way she does. Hanae rearranges the house, smashes Shizuko’s pottery, causing Yuki to have many emotional breakdowns. After Yuki had lived with her stepmother and father, she decides she is going to leave and attend an arts college away from Kobe, her hometown. When she leaves, she stays with her grandmother and grandpa. During her stay, her grandpa suddenly collapsed and died of a heartattack, causing more shock and stress to Yuki. Her and her grandmother work through it, and keep living together. While Yuki keeps going art school, she meets a young man named Isamu, who attends the same college. She begins to feel emotionally attracted to Isamu, but questions if she should make anything out of it. She comes home after school to find that Isamu had called, and that her father had dropped off her mother’s old sketch book. While looking through the sketch book, she realizes that her mother would not want Yuki sad, and living a lonely life, but to live to the fullest and enjoy what life has to offer. Yuki starts to see Isamu, and they make a life together. Yuki’s independence led her to go off to college, and to learn more about what she loves the most, art. Without going to art school, she would not have met Isamu. Her creativity made her what she is, a strong women who learns to face with the obstacles of life, and knows that in the end it will turn out fine.
In class, we read the book Shizuko's Daughter. This book is about a young twelve year old girl, named Yuki and her suicidal mother, Shizuko. In the beginning of the book, Yuki is at piano lessons when Shizuko commits suicide. She writes a note for Yuki, leaving it on the kitchen table, reminding how much she loves her. She also wrote a note for Yuki’s father, then ripping it to pieces right before her death. Yuki comes home from her piano, finding her mother dead on the kitchen floor. After the death, Yuki then moves in with her aunt Aya, then moving in with her father and new stepmother. Yuki does not enjoy living with them. The stepmother, Hanae, is abusive towards Yuki, at one point pushing her down the stairs, causing a broken ankle. Her father is rude, and lets Hanae treat Yuki the way she does. Hanae rearranges the house, smashes Shizuko’s pottery, causing Yuki to have many emotional breakdowns. After Yuki had lived with her stepmother and father, she decides she is going to leave and attend an arts college away from Kobe, her hometown. When she leaves, she stays with her grandmother and grandpa. During her stay, her grandpa suddenly collapsed and died of a heartattack, causing more shock and stress to Yuki. Her and her grandmother work through it, and keep living together. While Yuki keeps going art school, she meets a young man named Isamu, who attends the same college. She begins to feel emotionally attracted to Isamu, but questions if she should make anything out of it. She comes home after school to find that Isamu had called, and that her father had dropped off her mother’s old sketch book. While looking through the sketch book, she realizes that her mother would not want Yuki sad, and living a lonely life, but to live to the fullest and enjoy what life has to offer. Yuki starts to see Isamu, and they make a life together. Yuki’s independence led her to go off to college, and to learn more about what she loves the most, art. Without going to art school, she would not have met Isamu. Her creativity made her what she is, a strong women who learns to face with the obstacles of life, and knows that in the end it will turn out fine.
In the book Shizuko’s Daughter by Kyoko Mori, it is hard to miss how creative and independent Yuki grew up to be. Her mother Shizuko taught her many things. She did not teach Yuki math or writing, rather things that would make her a better and stronger person; and thank goodness she did. Before her death, Shizuko and her daughter Yuki would have so much fun together shopping for pottery, drawing, and planting flowers. Some might say they lived in the moment. But for Shizuko these moments went by too fast. After her mother’s suicide, Yuki was practically alone. Her father didn’t love her and was now married to his secretary who was ashamed of her. Yuki was forced to live with her father and his wife. Yuki stayed out of the house as much as she possibly could by drawing, running track, and working. Hanae, her father’s wife, disapproved of the teachings of Shizuko. Hanae once said to Yuki that her mother taught her nothing and that’s why she did not have any manners. Hanae was a Barbie and thought that Yuki was a spoiled tomboy. Yuki was not good at cooking and lacked a sense of style according to Hanae. Yuki paid no attention to material things, she rather be at her desk drawing or outside running. Considering that she hated her father and his wife Hanae, she would never ask them for anything; money, clothes, etc. This independence greatly affected the choices she makes after graduating from high school. Seeing that she was not fit to be a typical stay at home wife, she decided to go to an arts college that she paid for herself. Her family disagreed with her decision, but did not stop her. Yuki went far away from home so that she would never have to see her father and Hanae ever again. She did not plan to write or visit. Her being independent was very important. If she wasn’t independent her father and Hanae would always have strings on her. Yuki would always owe them something. Yuki did not want this so she worked for her money and paid for her stay and tuition in college. Yuki would never have to count on those horrible people ever again. If she were able to count on her family more, she probably would have gone to a closer and better college. Luckily in the end, Yuki was happy with her decision and never looked back or regretted what she did.
Shizuko's Daughter by Kyoko Mori at first is a difficult book to read. It begins with a flashback of a disturbing event. Shizuko, the main character's mother commits suicide. Although she adores her daughter Yuki, she is unhappy, depressed and troubled by her husband's cheating. It would be horrific to come home and discover a family member dead, especially by their own hands. Like the protagonist, Yuki, one would feel guilty, abandoned and ultimately angry that they killed themselves. Luckily she had her creativeness and independence to help cope with the death of her mother and after high school. Yuki not only has the suffer the loss of her mother but the callousness of her father and new stepmother. The reader starts to feel Yuki's pain and is curious on how she will handle the disappointment in her life.. The reader begins to admire Yuki because she is her own person. She is creative like her mother. Yuki wants to wear a colorful, floral dress to her mother's funeral because her mother made it and it is what she would have worn. Also, Yuki suffers the separation from her maternal grandparents. Eventually, l she loses her grandfather but manages to pursue an unconventional education in art at an university. There she meets a photographer, Isamu and the possibility of a serious relationship. Yuki's father, Hideki, is portrayed as distant and cold throughout the novel. He finds a possession of Shizuko the make him confront his past. Can he reconcile his relationship with his daughter? Will Yuki find comfort and happiness?
The story Shizuko’s Daughter, by Kyoko Mori is intriguing; yet, it delivered a positive message to the young-adult females. It teaches us to be independent and not to depend on other people. In this case it would be not to depend to a male to get you places in your life. It also teaches you to take criticism, good or bad, and use it as a strengthening point to make become better in life. Shizuko and her daughter, Yuki’s relationship is highly respectable, and close. Shizuko was not an ordinary mother to Yuki. She taught her how to survive in day to day life; rather than, teaching her educational things such as mathematics, reading, or writing.
After Yuki’s mother committed suicide, her life has changed completely. I saw her death as a strengthening point in Yuki’s life. She began to realize things or talents that seemed to be hidden inside her. The heartrending part about her mother’s death is that there was one more person out of her life that she had to deal with. Yuki had to live with her father, and her father’s wife who did not really care about her. Therefore, she tried to stay out of the house as much as possible by doing things such as reading, drawing, and running track. Happily, Yuki made something of her self, no matter the pains, trials, and tribulations she went through during her life.Overall, I learned a lot of self-motivating things from this book and I would recommend it to a lot of female young-adults, because this book has true value to it.
The main character of Shizuko’s Daughter,Yuki, was a very brave and independent girl. She was creative and she learned from her deceased mother how to be an artist. Because of her love for art, she decided to attend an art school, on the island of Nagasaki. Nagasaki was very far away from the main island where Yuki lived with her father and stepmother in Kobe. When Shizuko committed suicide, Yuki went to live with her aunt Aya, until her father was re-married to Hanae. Because Hanae did not like Yuki, and was ashamed of her, they hardly talked. Also not being loved by her father contributed to Yuki’s independence. Every time she won a race, she knew that she could achieve without the help of her father and stepmother. In high school, Yuki started to make decisions on her own, such as visiting her grandmother and grandfather in Osaka, although going against the wishes of Hanae who thought that the neighbors would think she was a terrible stepmother because Yuki was visiting her dead mothers family. At the wedding of her aunt Aya to Mr. Kimura, Yuki decides that love almost never turns out right half the time and someone always gets hurt. She made a promise to herself to never fall in love. Because she was taught lifelong lessons by her mother as a child, she was able to make important decisions that would have a huge affect on her life. Because of her independence and creativity that her mother taught her to have, Yuki was mind set about going to the art school in Nagasaki. In Nagasaki, she started her own life away from her father and his image-obsessed wife. Yuki got a job as a waitress, and formed a friendship with a fellow classmate, Isamu. Although in high school she swore to never fall in love, Yuki and Isamu started to date each other. If Yuki was not creative and independent she would have never left Kobe for college, and might have never found love.
Shizuko's Daughter by Kyoko Mori was in my opinion is on of the best books we have read this year it is very moving, and it opens your eyes to the emotional destruction of suicide to family members. Yuki is a Japanese tween when her beloved mother commits suicide, and leaves Yuki to her harsh father and newly acquired evil stepmother. Throughout this book Yuki has to deal with growing up in a household we she repeatedly sees what she never wanted to, the fact that the image of her mother is fading away… One reason why this book was good was because it really captures a familiar feeling: neglect of true personality and substance. Not only does her father and stepmother burn away the past, but they deny Yuki of the right to be independent. They don’t allow her to dress with colors that are not bland and accept nothing but strict academics. Yuki not only loves to dress like an individual but she has a passion for art, neither is allowed. It is this trait of Yuki that makes you warm up to her throughout this book. I really love the “rebellious” side to her, the fact that she wants to break away from the severe rules of the Japanese culture she was raised in. I this quote sums up Yuki very well, “I couldn’t care less about reputation, the school I’m going to is a good school for art. I would be happier there. National universities are for people who are ambitious, who want to work for big companies in the future. That isn’t for me. My teachers agreed. I wouldn’t fit in at a national university. I don’t want to fit in.” Yuki isn’t looking to be sucked into a grand lifestyle full of indulgence, rather what she loves to do and hopes to pursue. And so, other not approved, she decides to go to an art school, Nagasaki. I like and dislike the ending of the book because although sweet it seems generic, when Hanae and Yuki’s father burn all of the mother and Yuki’s items, it becomes enraging. But they make amends when the father sends Yuki her mother’ sketchbook, allowing Yuki to leave happy and find her placement.
While Shizuko’s Daughter is about the effect Shizuko’s suicide had on her daughter Yuki, it could have also been called Hideki’s daughter, since most of the action takes place while Yuki is living with her father. Yuki blamed her father, Hideki, for her mother’s unhappiness that led to her suicide. From the time of her mother’s death until the end of the book Yuki goes through a lot of changes in her outlook on life. She went from living with her aunt following her mother’s death to living in an unloving environment in her father’s house with his new wife, who had been his mistress for 10 years. Yuki was so sad living with her father that she only spoke to him when she had to. When she graduated from high school, Yuki did not invite her father or stepmother to the graduation, which to me was shocking since this is one of the biggest moments in a parent’s life. Immediately after graduation, Yuki left her past behind, she went away to college and vowed never to come back to her father’s house. She paid for her college tuition and lodging out of savings and did not ask her father for a penny. I think her decision to never write or return to see her father was a little bit harsh. Though her father made some extremely bad choices, choosing pleasing his second wife over loving his daughter, I don’t think that she should have been so cold to her father. After her grandfather’s death, and after receiving her mother’s sketchbook, I am glad she decided to allow herself to love Isamu and take a chance on being happy as her mother would have wanted her to be. This was definitely a very realistic book and a moving one also.
Shizuko's Daughter by Kyoko Mori was in my opinion is on of the best books we have read this year it is very moving, and it opens your eyes to the emotional destruction of suicide to family members. Yuki is a Japanese tween when her beloved mother commits suicide, and leaves Yuki to her harsh father and newly acquired evil stepmother. Throughout this book Yuki has to deal with growing up in a household we she repeatedly sees what she never wanted to, the fact that the image of her mother is fading away… One reason why this book was good was because it really captures a familiar feeling: neglect of true personality and substance. Not only does her father and stepmother burn away the past, but they deny Yuki of the right to be independent. They don’t allow her to dress with colors that are not bland and accept nothing but strict academics. Yuki not only loves to dress like an individual but she has a passion for art, neither is allowed. It is this trait of Yuki that makes you warm up to her throughout this book. I really love the “rebellious” side to her, the fact that she wants to break away from the severe rules of the Japanese culture she was raised in. I this quote sums up Yuki very well, “I couldn’t care less about reputation, the school I’m going to is a good school for art. I would be happier there. National universities are for people who are ambitious, who want to work for big companies in the future. That isn’t for me. My teachers agreed. I wouldn’t fit in at a national university. I don’t want to fit in.” Yuki isn’t looking to be sucked into a grand lifestyle full of indulgence, rather what she loves to do and hopes to pursue. And so, other not approved, she decides to go to an art school, Nagasaki. I like and dislike the ending of the book because although sweet it seems generic, when Hanae and Yuki’s father burn all of the mother and Yuki’s items, it becomes enraging. But they make amends when the father sends Yuki her mother’ sketchbook, allowing Yuki to leave happy and find her placement.
Shizuko’s Daughter by Kyoko Mori is an extremely well-written book. It is written very descriptively, allowing for the reader to visualize the setting and actions. For example, I was able to picture quite clearly Yuki, and her running. Although it is a jewel of a book, Shizuko’s Daughter is missing a certain shine. That certain glimmer is the ease at which a reader can identify with the main character Yuki. I do not consider a book thoroughly engaging if the author does not pull me in by developing a character I can identify with. This is one of the reasons I do not like reading assigned books; because oftentimes a teacher does not know me well enough to be able to choose a book that will engage me. I find it more rewarding to choose a book that suits my life-experiences. Don’t get me wrong, I was able to compare my life with Yuki, just not enough that the book drew me in. For example, I, like Yuki, face the consequences of suicidal thoughts. Both our lives have been affected by people who either have or think about ending their own lives. Also, we both deal with the resulting surplus emotions by running. However; my mother did not commit suicide, as is the case with Yuki, and my father has not remarried, as is also the case with Yuki. All in all, I liked this book, but I would have liked it more if the characters were more relatable.
In Shizuko’s Daughter , a sad but wonderful novel by Kyoko Mori, Yuki expresses and shows her creativity throughout the whole book. Yuki’s creativity and independence affect her surroundings and decision-making her whole life, but especially once she has left high school. Yuki showed some creativity, but mainly independence after high school. She showed her creativity when she was offered Masa’s old clothes. Instead of picking a few to wear, Yuki decided to take them all and sew a kimono combining every one. Yuki showed her independence in Shizuko’s Daughter in a variety of ways. Before going to college, Yuki showed lots of independence from her family. She did not take, or ask for, anything from her parents Hideki and Hanae to go to college. Yuki stayed away from her parents as much as possible because she truly hated them, which I completely understand. Yuki took care of herself by working every day to be able to pay for college and a room to stay in. She also showed her independence by not taking any items from her childhood with her to Nagasaki. I sympathized for her because she had no room for storage to keep anything from her youth. I felt like if she really tried to find a way to take her things to Nagasaki she could, because “where there is a will, there is a way.” Yuki showed independence when she first decided to stay away from love and Isamu because she believed it always caused pain. She told her peers that Isamu was her best friend, not her boyfriend for a while until she finally loved him. Yuki was independent and decided to stand out when she wanted to go to a small college in Nagasaki instead of the big, ambitious Kobe National University where Mr. Kimura teaches. Yuki even said, “I wouldn’t fit in at a national university. I don’t want to fit in” (Mori 133). The combination of Yuki’s independence and creativity in Shizuko’s Daughter greatly influenced her decisions, and made her the wonderful person she was portrayed as.
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This book really intrigued me. This book took my mind places where I never thought it could go. I cannot stress enough how much this book has changed my perception on life. Before, I thought this book was going to be very boring and I would not understand a word of it. I found out I was wrong. As soon as I read the first chapter my eyes started to water. It was so sad that Yuki’s mother killed herself at the beginning when she was only about twelve years old. Until this day I still do not understand why Shizuko killed herself. She stated in the book that people would talk about her and think her decision was stupid and selfish. I think the same thing, but then again this situation prepared her for life. At times this book was funny, but overall the book was pure sadness. I have never read a book that was based around one emotion. When I read books I usually sense different kinds of vibes. In this book I could not do that. To be such a young child I believe Yuki handled the situation very well. She did not show any emotion until the day of her mother’s funeral. If I was Yuki I would be crying from the day that I found her until now. I would never get over the fact that I have just lost my mother. Over all I would say Yuki is a strong young lady. She has proven herself through the toughest of times. She could have run away when she was asked to move with her father, but she didn’t. This book has taught me how to handle serious situations in a more mature manner rather than in a childish way. I really enjoyed this book; I wouldn’t mind reading more of her works.
In Shizuko’s Daughter by Kyoko Mori, Yuki developed the traits of independence and creativity which affected her throughout her life. Yuki’s creativity and independence affect her choices after high school by it gets her into a college for arts. It also makes her regret her choices. When her grandfather died, she wished that she would have spent more time with him. Also her independence affected her relationship with her immediate family. Yuki and Hideki, her father, relationship is non communicative. Even when her mother was alive, they had an awkward relationship. When Yuki gets older, her independence affects their relationship by when she left for college, they never write to each other. I think Hideki’s independence influenced Yuki’s independence. Her independence also kept others from knowing what she was doing. Yuki did not invite her parents to her track meets and she did not invite them to her graduation. Her independence also affected her because she things inside and when they came out, she either got angry or she cried. Yuki and her grandmother’s relationship is affected as well by Yuki’s independence because now they do not talk as much and if they do talk, Yuki has to be patient otherwise she would get mad like the time at her Aunt Aya’s wedding. Her independence also may come off as shy or ignorant as her stepmother describes it and her school teacher. Yuki’s creativity affected her by she met Isamu at Nagasaki school which she would not have met if she went to Mr. Kimura’s college. Her creativity also helps her remember her mother because she sketched pictures of the things that had mother had, and the clothes that sewed. Her creativity also was admired by other people because her art teacher would hang up all the good works and Yuki was one the people that was chosen. Yuki’s independence and creativity did not only affect her choices but her relationships with other as well as how people saw her as a person.
Shizuko’s Daughter is a very intriguing story about a girl name Yuki, whose creativeness and independence allows her to overcome the disaster of her mother’s death. In the beginning of the story, Yuki was described as a tough and strong child. She fought anyone who deprived her of her freedom, whether in the classroom or the playground. However, when her mother committed suicide, Yuki’s personality began to hide behind crevices; like a bug crawling away from the world. I wouldn’t say that her personality disappeared or left her forever, but it just took a vacation, too tired to face the real world. Of course she was tough still, for she lived with her evil stepmother without taking a punch. She even put up with the cruel and neglecting father. However, her willingness to share her open opinions lessened on the surface. As time passed and Yuki became a young lady, she learned how to read the truth behind people’s expressions and what they really thought about her family. She knew that her community was not just based on family and traditions, but also appearances. If Yuki didn’t pretend to be at least one percent satisfied with her family, all of her town would notice and simultaneously judge her.
When Yuki finally graduated from high school and went away to college, her strength and creativeness allowed her to move on and find a new way of life. She found a new home to live in with her own money and she even made new friends. Speaking of friends, she found a truly special and irresistible one –Isamu. Without her passion, strength, and independence, she wouldn’t be able to be brave enough to dive into a new and (hopefully) everlasting relationship. Even with the occurring death of her grandfather, her personality finally appeared out of her crevices and made a breakthrough.
I believe that Yuki as a person is not only creative and independent, but also because of the influences from her mother she is that type of person. In the beginning of Shizuko’s Daughter Shizuko thinks about the skirt she was making foe Yuki, and the different things that she and her daughter had done together. Also when Yuki begins going through things in the attic before she goes to college she reflects on the many items of clothing that her mother had made for her. She also looks at the boxes of art and papers that she wrote that her mother saved. Those things from the start tell you that Yuki is a creative person. I think that after seeing everything in the attic Yuki knew that she was making the right decision of going to art school after college. It made sense, she could relate to her mother and she could follow her passion. Being an independent person does create some problems in Yuki’s life after high school though. For example when Isamu began asking for Yuki’s attention, and she refused to encourage it. Towards the end Yuki seems to understand that it’s okay to be independent but sometimes it’s the right thing to just give in. But Yuki being independent is not always a bad thing. When she found a way to make money to go to college and pay for it herself I think it showed that she was independent to her parents. Not only did she not ask for any help, but she also did not let them expect her to ever ask for any help. When a person does something on their own, such as going to college, they show a great deal of responsibility and independence which is exactly what Yuki does.
In "Shizuko's Daughter" written by Kyoko Mori, Yuki faced a horrible tragedy, the death of her mother. At only twelve years of age, Yuki found her mother on the kitchen floor with gas fumes floating through the air. Every since that day, Yuki became extremely independent. Prior to her mother's death, Yuki didn't have a healthy relationship with her dad, and the kids at her school feared her. Yuki was already independent and creative but her mother's death put Yuki in an awkward position and the only person who she could depend on was herself and her Aunt Aya until her father moved her back to Kobe. Yuki basically had to fin for herself most of her life and she was facing the world alone. Yuki's creative and independence affected her choices after high school because Yuki always knew that she was interested in art, but because she was so independent she allowed herself to know what were her heart desires were, art. While Yuki was in college, she was able to find friends who had the same interests as Yuki. Yuki also expressed her artistic side by drawing things that were special to her and her mother. Before I finished reading the book, I could foreshadow that Yuki was interested in art because of the way she examined the flowers in the park near her house, and how well she looked at each feature of the flowers. Because of her mother death, Yuki may have wanted to express her true feelings, because she had no one to truly understand her, through art. Yuki was so independent, that no one really knew what she was up to and, in a way, she would shut some people out of her life. Yuki grew up to a strong and independent woman just as her mother had wished before she left to a new world.
In the book Shizuko’s Daughter by Kyoko Mori, it is hard to miss how creative and independent Yuki grew up to be. Her mother Shizuko taught her many things. She did not teach Yuki math or writing, rather things that would make her a better and stronger person; and thank goodness she did. Before her death, Shizuko and her daughter Yuki would have so much fun together shopping for pottery, drawing, and planting flowers. Some might say they lived in the moment. But for Shizuko these moments went by too fast. After her mother’s suicide, Yuki was practically alone. Her father didn’t love her and was now married to his secretary who was ashamed of her. Yuki was forced to live with her father and his wife. Yuki stayed out of the house as much as she possibly could by drawing, running track, and working. Hanae, her father’s wife, disapproved of the teachings of Shizuko. Hanae once said to Yuki that her mother taught her nothing and that’s why she did not have any manners. Hanae was a Barbie and thought that Yuki was a spoiled tomboy. Yuki was not good at cooking and lacked a sense of style according to Hanae. Yuki paid no attention to material things, she rather be at her desk drawing or outside running. Considering that she hated her father and his wife Hanae, she would never ask them for anything; money, clothes, etc. This independence greatly affected the choices she makes after graduating from high school. Seeing that she was not fit to be a typical stay at home wife, she decided to go to an arts college that she paid for herself. Her family disagreed with her decision, but did not stop her. Yuki went far away from home so that she would never have to see her father and Hanae ever again. She did not plan to write or visit. Her being independent was very important. If she wasn’t independent her father and Hanae would always have strings on her. Yuki would always owe them something. Yuki did not want this so she worked for her money and paid for her stay and tuition in college. Yuki would never have to count on those horrible people ever again. If she were able to count on her family more, she probably would have gone to a closer and better college. Luckily in the end, Yuki was happy with her decision and never looked back or regretted what she did.
In Shizuko’s Daughter Yuki’s creativeness and independence allowed her to overcome her mothers’ tragic death. Neither her father or Yuki cried at the time that her mother died. Many people explained to Yuki how strong she was at the time of her mothers death. Even though Yuki seemed strong she still knew she would never forget her mother and would miss and think of her always. But as result to her mothers death she somewhat began to be more secretive and keeping her feelings to herself. Through independence she learned to do for herself. Living with her stepmother and father, who rarely spoke a word to Yuki, was an example of that. She stuck with them, however, because she knew how badly her community would be judging her. Based on the expressions of peoples faces she knew what they all thought about her family. For example, her stepmother, early in the engagement to Yuki’s father kept her distance from him because she knew what everyone would think about her since she was marrying him so close to the time of Shizuko’s death.
By the time she graduated high school and found her own place to live she became stronger, and more independent. She rightfully could make her own smart choices and made new friends such as the unforgettable Isamu. She met him on he first day in college, in the library. She explained how he was standing by the window with a large photography book in his hands then closing the book he smiled at Yuki, she would never forget that moment. She also became stronger by overcoming her grandfather, Takeo’s death, she was able to move on with her life. Overcoming these type of events is what makes a person stronger and seem like they have the ability to face anything.
In the book Shizuko’s Daughter by Kyoko Mori, the main character, Yuki, loses her mother at the vulnerable age of twelve. Yuki and her mother, Shizuko, have always shared a special bond, and the sudden loss of her closest companion leaves Yuki feeling helpless and alone. However, her father’s marriage to another woman shortly after the death of his wife leaves Yuki to fend for herself, which allows her to develop the strong traits of independence and creativity. Yuki is able to make do on her own for many years, and although she grieves deeply for the loss of her mother, she matures emotionally at a much faster pace than the other children her age. Yuki’s mother had a large influence on her, and her creativity inspired Yuki. Her classmates are convinced that she is the most artistic out of all of them, and her experiences in high school lead her to decide that she is going to go to a college that focuses on the arts. She is convinced that this is where she would be happiest and succeed the most at. Later in the book, Yuki’s father comes across her mother’s old sketchbook, which he mails to her. Upon discovering this piece of her mother, Yuki is inspired to move on with her life and do things she would not have done before. This allows Yuki to become emotionally involved with a man she meets at college, and they end up spending the rest of their lives together. Yuki’s creativity and independence allow her to rely on her own abilities to make decisions; and she perseveres with the creativity that she shares with her mother. Throughout the book, although Shizuko is only present for a short section of it, she remains a large part of Yuki’s life. She affected her greatly, and without her mother’s influence, Yuki would not have developed into such a strong character.
In the book Shizuko’s Daughter by Kyoko Mori, the main character, Yuki, loses her mother at the vulnerable age of twelve. Yuki and her mother, Shizuko, have always shared a special bond, and the sudden loss of her closest companion leaves Yuki feeling helpless and alone. However, her father’s marriage to another woman shortly after the death of his wife leaves Yuki to fend for herself, which allows her to develop the strong traits of independence and creativity. Yuki is able to make do on her own for many years, and although she grieves deeply for the loss of her mother, she matures emotionally at a much faster pace than the other children her age. Yuki’s mother had a large influence on her, and her creativity inspired Yuki. Her classmates are convinced that she is the most artistic out of all of them, and her experiences in high school lead her to decide that she is going to go to a college that focuses on the arts. She is convinced that this is where she would be happiest and succeed the most at. Later in the book, Yuki’s father comes across her mother’s old sketchbook, which he mails to her. Upon discovering this piece of her mother, Yuki is inspired to move on with her life and do things she would not have done before. This allows Yuki to become emotionally involved with a man she meets at college, and they end up spending the rest of their lives together. Yuki’s creativity and independence allow her to rely on her own abilities to make decisions; and she perseveres with the creativity that she shares with her mother. Throughout the book, although Shizuko is only present for a short section of it, she remains a large part of Yuki’s life. She affected her greatly, and without her mother’s influence, Yuki would not have developed into such a strong character.
The book Shizuko’s Daughter, really gave me an abundance of emotions. Yuki was a very special girl who encountered many ups and downs in her life. Yuki’s creativity and independence affected the choices she made in her life in a big way. The way it affected her is it got her into art school. After all of the struggles that Yuki went through in her life, there was a way that she benefited from it. But, as she looks back at life she regrets the fact that she did not spent a lot of time with her family after the death of her mother. In the book, Yuki looks through her mothers boxes of arts and papers, which in a sense influences her in what she enjoyed doing. This is one thing in her life that contributed to her going to art school. Her mother was one of the major people who were an inspiration in her life. Throughout Yuki’s life she seemed to not have a decent understanding of being independent. But, as she got older she learned that being independent is one way that you will need in order to survive in life. Based on this book, I learned that Yuki is a very strong young woman. She went through the death of her mother, being mistreated by her step-mother and her father, being mistreated by her teacher, and not really having a tight relationship with anyone. When she got older, she did not let her childhood make the worse of her. Instead she followed her dreams and made the best of herself. She began making her own money and living life to her fullest potential. In a way her childhood actually made the best of her. In the end, I enjoyed this book and it had an affect on the way that I think about things.
In class, we read the book Shizuko's Daughter. This book is about a young twelve year old girl, named Yuki and her suicidal mother, Shizuko. In the beginning of the book, Yuki is at piano lessons when Shizuko commits suicide. She writes a note for Yuki, leaving it on the kitchen table, reminding how much she loves her. She also wrote a note for Yuki’s father, then ripping it to pieces right before her death. Yuki comes home from her piano, finding her mother dead on the kitchen floor. After the death, Yuki then moves in with her aunt Aya, then moving in with her father and new stepmother. Yuki does not enjoy living with them. The stepmother, Hanae, is abusive towards Yuki, at one point pushing her down the stairs, causing a broken ankle. Her father is rude, and lets Hanae treat Yuki the way she does. Hanae rearranges the house, smashes Shizuko’s pottery, causing Yuki to have many emotional breakdowns. After Yuki had lived with her stepmother and father, she decides she is going to leave and attend an arts college away from Kobe, her hometown. When she leaves, she stays with her grandmother and grandpa. During her stay, her grandpa suddenly collapsed and died of a heartattack, causing more shock and stress to Yuki. Her and her grandmother work through it, and keep living together. While Yuki keeps going art school, she meets a young man named Isamu, who attends the same college. She begins to feel emotionally attracted to Isamu, but questions if she should make anything out of it. She comes home after school to find that Isamu had called, and that her father had dropped off her mother’s old sketch book. While looking through the sketch book, she realizes that her mother would not want Yuki sad, and living a lonely life, but to live to the fullest and enjoy what life has to offer. Yuki starts to see Isamu, and they make a life together. Yuki’s independence led her to go off to college, and to learn more about what she loves the most, art. Without going to art school, she would not have met Isamu. Her creativity made her what she is, a strong women who learns to face with the obstacles of life, and knows that in the end it will turn out fine.
In class, we read the book Shizuko's Daughter. This book is about a young twelve year old girl, named Yuki and her suicidal mother, Shizuko. In the beginning of the book, Yuki is at piano lessons when Shizuko commits suicide. She writes a note for Yuki, leaving it on the kitchen table, reminding how much she loves her. She also wrote a note for Yuki’s father, then ripping it to pieces right before her death. Yuki comes home from her piano, finding her mother dead on the kitchen floor. After the death, Yuki then moves in with her aunt Aya, then moving in with her father and new stepmother. Yuki does not enjoy living with them. The stepmother, Hanae, is abusive towards Yuki, at one point pushing her down the stairs, causing a broken ankle. Her father is rude, and lets Hanae treat Yuki the way she does. Hanae rearranges the house, smashes Shizuko’s pottery, causing Yuki to have many emotional breakdowns. After Yuki had lived with her stepmother and father, she decides she is going to leave and attend an arts college away from Kobe, her hometown. When she leaves, she stays with her grandmother and grandpa. During her stay, her grandpa suddenly collapsed and died of a heartattack, causing more shock and stress to Yuki. Her and her grandmother work through it, and keep living together. While Yuki keeps going art school, she meets a young man named Isamu, who attends the same college. She begins to feel emotionally attracted to Isamu, but questions if she should make anything out of it. She comes home after school to find that Isamu had called, and that her father had dropped off her mother’s old sketch book. While looking through the sketch book, she realizes that her mother would not want Yuki sad, and living a lonely life, but to live to the fullest and enjoy what life has to offer. Yuki starts to see Isamu, and they make a life together. Yuki’s independence led her to go off to college, and to learn more about what she loves the most, art. Without going to art school, she would not have met Isamu. Her creativity made her what she is, a strong women who learns to face with the obstacles of life, and knows that in the end it will turn out fine.
In the book Shizuko’s Daughter by Kyoko Mori, it is hard to miss how creative and independent Yuki grew up to be. Her mother Shizuko taught her many things. She did not teach Yuki math or writing, rather things that would make her a better and stronger person; and thank goodness she did. Before her death, Shizuko and her daughter Yuki would have so much fun together shopping for pottery, drawing, and planting flowers. Some might say they lived in the moment. But for Shizuko these moments went by too fast. After her mother’s suicide, Yuki was practically alone. Her father didn’t love her and was now married to his secretary who was ashamed of her. Yuki was forced to live with her father and his wife. Yuki stayed out of the house as much as she possibly could by drawing, running track, and working. Hanae, her father’s wife, disapproved of the teachings of Shizuko. Hanae once said to Yuki that her mother taught her nothing and that’s why she did not have any manners. Hanae was a Barbie and thought that Yuki was a spoiled tomboy. Yuki was not good at cooking and lacked a sense of style according to Hanae. Yuki paid no attention to material things, she rather be at her desk drawing or outside running. Considering that she hated her father and his wife Hanae, she would never ask them for anything; money, clothes, etc. This independence greatly affected the choices she makes after graduating from high school. Seeing that she was not fit to be a typical stay at home wife, she decided to go to an arts college that she paid for herself. Her family disagreed with her decision, but did not stop her. Yuki went far away from home so that she would never have to see her father and Hanae ever again. She did not plan to write or visit. Her being independent was very important. If she wasn’t independent her father and Hanae would always have strings on her. Yuki would always owe them something. Yuki did not want this so she worked for her money and paid for her stay and tuition in college. Yuki would never have to count on those horrible people ever again. If she were able to count on her family more, she probably would have gone to a closer and better college. Luckily in the end, Yuki was happy with her decision and never looked back or regretted what she did.
Shizuko's Daughter by Kyoko Mori at first is a difficult book to read. It begins with a flashback of a disturbing event. Shizuko, the main character's mother commits suicide. Although she adores her daughter Yuki, she is unhappy, depressed and troubled by her husband's cheating. It would be horrific to come home and discover a family member dead, especially by their own hands. Like the protagonist, Yuki, one would feel guilty, abandoned and ultimately angry that they killed themselves. Luckily she had her creativeness and independence to help cope with the death of her mother and after high school.
Yuki not only has the suffer the loss of her mother but the callousness of her father and new stepmother. The reader starts to feel Yuki's pain and is curious on how she will handle the disappointment in her life.. The reader begins to admire Yuki because she is her own person. She is creative like her mother. Yuki wants to wear a colorful, floral dress to her mother's funeral because her mother made it and it is what she would have worn.
Also, Yuki suffers the separation from her maternal grandparents. Eventually, l she loses her grandfather but manages to pursue an unconventional education in art at an university. There she meets a photographer, Isamu and the possibility of a serious relationship.
Yuki's father, Hideki, is portrayed as distant and cold throughout the novel. He finds a possession of Shizuko the make him confront his past. Can he reconcile his relationship with his daughter? Will Yuki find comfort and happiness?
The story Shizuko’s Daughter, by Kyoko Mori is intriguing; yet, it delivered a positive message to the young-adult females. It teaches us to be independent and not to depend on other people. In this case it would be not to depend to a male to get you places in your life. It also teaches you to take criticism, good or bad, and use it as a strengthening point to make become better in life. Shizuko and her daughter, Yuki’s relationship is highly respectable, and close. Shizuko was not an ordinary mother to Yuki. She taught her how to survive in day to day life; rather than, teaching her educational things such as mathematics, reading, or writing.
After Yuki’s mother committed suicide, her life has changed completely. I saw her death as a strengthening point in Yuki’s life. She began to realize things or talents that seemed to be hidden inside her. The heartrending part about her mother’s death is that there was one more person out of her life that she had to deal with. Yuki had to live with her father, and her father’s wife who did not really care about her. Therefore, she tried to stay out of the house as much as possible by doing things such as reading, drawing, and running track. Happily, Yuki made something of her self, no matter the pains, trials, and tribulations she went through during her life.Overall, I learned a lot of self-motivating things from this book and I would recommend it to a lot of female young-adults, because this book has true value to it.
The main character of Shizuko’s Daughter,Yuki, was a very brave and independent girl. She was creative and she learned from her deceased mother how to be an artist. Because of her love for art, she decided to attend an art school, on the island of Nagasaki. Nagasaki was very far away from the main island where Yuki lived with her father and stepmother in Kobe. When Shizuko committed suicide, Yuki went to live with her aunt Aya, until her father was re-married to Hanae. Because Hanae did not like Yuki, and was ashamed of her, they hardly talked. Also not being loved by her father contributed to Yuki’s independence. Every time she won a race, she knew that she could achieve without the help of her father and stepmother. In high school, Yuki started to make decisions on her own, such as visiting her grandmother and grandfather in Osaka, although going against the wishes of Hanae who thought that the neighbors would think she was a terrible stepmother because Yuki was visiting her dead mothers family. At the wedding of her aunt Aya to Mr. Kimura, Yuki decides that love almost never turns out right half the time and someone always gets hurt. She made a promise to herself to never fall in love. Because she was taught lifelong lessons by her mother as a child, she was able to make important decisions that would have a huge affect on her life. Because of her independence and creativity that her mother taught her to have, Yuki was mind set about going to the art school in Nagasaki. In Nagasaki, she started her own life away from her father and his image-obsessed wife. Yuki got a job as a waitress, and formed a friendship with a fellow classmate, Isamu. Although in high school she swore to never fall in love, Yuki and Isamu started to date each other. If Yuki was not creative and independent she would have never left Kobe for college, and might have never found love.
Shizuko's Daughter by Kyoko Mori was in my opinion is on of the best books we have read this year it is very moving, and it opens your eyes to the emotional destruction of suicide to family members. Yuki is a Japanese tween when her beloved mother commits suicide, and leaves Yuki to her harsh father and newly acquired evil stepmother. Throughout this book Yuki has to deal with growing up in a household we she repeatedly sees what she never wanted to, the fact that the image of her mother is fading away… One reason why this book was good was because it really captures a familiar feeling: neglect of true personality and substance. Not only does her father and stepmother burn away the past, but they deny Yuki of the right to be independent. They don’t allow her to dress with colors that are not bland and accept nothing but strict academics. Yuki not only loves to dress like an individual but she has a passion for art, neither is allowed. It is this trait of Yuki that makes you warm up to her throughout this book. I really love the “rebellious” side to her, the fact that she wants to break away from the severe rules of the Japanese culture she was raised in. I this quote sums up Yuki very well, “I couldn’t care less about reputation, the school I’m going to is a good school for art. I would be happier there. National universities are for people who are ambitious, who want to work for big companies in the future. That isn’t for me. My teachers agreed. I wouldn’t fit in at a national university. I don’t want to fit in.” Yuki isn’t looking to be sucked into a grand lifestyle full of indulgence, rather what she loves to do and hopes to pursue. And so, other not approved, she decides to go to an art school, Nagasaki.
I like and dislike the ending of the book because although sweet it seems generic, when Hanae and Yuki’s father burn all of the mother and Yuki’s items, it becomes enraging. But they make amends when the father sends Yuki her mother’ sketchbook, allowing Yuki to leave happy and find her placement.
While Shizuko’s Daughter is about the effect Shizuko’s suicide had on her daughter Yuki, it could have also been called Hideki’s daughter, since most of the action takes place while Yuki is living with her father. Yuki blamed her father, Hideki, for her mother’s unhappiness that led to her suicide. From the time of her mother’s death until the end of the book Yuki goes through a lot of changes in her outlook on life. She went from living with her aunt following her mother’s death to living in an unloving environment in her father’s house with his new wife, who had been his mistress for 10 years. Yuki was so sad living with her father that she only spoke to him when she had to. When she graduated from high school, Yuki did not invite her father or stepmother to the graduation, which to me was shocking since this is one of the biggest moments in a parent’s life. Immediately after graduation, Yuki left her past behind, she went away to college and vowed never to come back to her father’s house. She paid for her college tuition and lodging out of savings and did not ask her father for a penny. I think her decision to never write or return to see her father was a little bit harsh. Though her father made some extremely bad choices, choosing pleasing his second wife over loving his daughter, I don’t think that she should have been so cold to her father. After her grandfather’s death, and after receiving her mother’s sketchbook, I am glad she decided to allow herself to love Isamu and take a chance on being happy as her mother would have wanted her to be. This was definitely a very realistic book and a moving one also.
Shizuko's Daughter by Kyoko Mori was in my opinion is on of the best books we have read this year it is very moving, and it opens your eyes to the emotional destruction of suicide to family members. Yuki is a Japanese tween when her beloved mother commits suicide, and leaves Yuki to her harsh father and newly acquired evil stepmother. Throughout this book Yuki has to deal with growing up in a household we she repeatedly sees what she never wanted to, the fact that the image of her mother is fading away… One reason why this book was good was because it really captures a familiar feeling: neglect of true personality and substance. Not only does her father and stepmother burn away the past, but they deny Yuki of the right to be independent. They don’t allow her to dress with colors that are not bland and accept nothing but strict academics. Yuki not only loves to dress like an individual but she has a passion for art, neither is allowed. It is this trait of Yuki that makes you warm up to her throughout this book. I really love the “rebellious” side to her, the fact that she wants to break away from the severe rules of the Japanese culture she was raised in. I this quote sums up Yuki very well, “I couldn’t care less about reputation, the school I’m going to is a good school for art. I would be happier there. National universities are for people who are ambitious, who want to work for big companies in the future. That isn’t for me. My teachers agreed. I wouldn’t fit in at a national university. I don’t want to fit in.” Yuki isn’t looking to be sucked into a grand lifestyle full of indulgence, rather what she loves to do and hopes to pursue. And so, other not approved, she decides to go to an art school, Nagasaki.
I like and dislike the ending of the book because although sweet it seems generic, when Hanae and Yuki’s father burn all of the mother and Yuki’s items, it becomes enraging. But they make amends when the father sends Yuki her mother’ sketchbook, allowing Yuki to leave happy and find her placement.
Shizuko’s Daughter by Kyoko Mori is an extremely well-written book. It is written very descriptively, allowing for the reader to visualize the setting and actions. For example, I was able to picture quite clearly Yuki, and her running. Although it is a jewel of a book, Shizuko’s Daughter is missing a certain shine. That certain glimmer is the ease at which a reader can identify with the main character Yuki. I do not consider a book thoroughly engaging if the author does not pull me in by developing a character I can identify with. This is one of the reasons I do not like reading assigned books; because oftentimes a teacher does not know me well enough to be able to choose a book that will engage me. I find it more rewarding to choose a book that suits my life-experiences. Don’t get me wrong, I was able to compare my life with Yuki, just not enough that the book drew me in. For example, I, like Yuki, face the consequences of suicidal thoughts. Both our lives have been affected by people who either have or think about ending their own lives. Also, we both deal with the resulting surplus emotions by running. However; my mother did not commit suicide, as is the case with Yuki, and my father has not remarried, as is also the case with Yuki. All in all, I liked this book, but I would have liked it more if the characters were more relatable.
In Shizuko’s Daughter , a sad but wonderful novel by Kyoko Mori, Yuki expresses and shows her creativity throughout the whole book. Yuki’s creativity and independence affect her surroundings and decision-making her whole life, but especially once she has left high school. Yuki showed some creativity, but mainly independence after high school. She showed her creativity when she was offered Masa’s old clothes. Instead of picking a few to wear, Yuki decided to take them all and sew a kimono combining every one. Yuki showed her independence in Shizuko’s Daughter in a variety of ways. Before going to college, Yuki showed lots of independence from her family. She did not take, or ask for, anything from her parents Hideki and Hanae to go to college. Yuki stayed away from her parents as much as possible because she truly hated them, which I completely understand. Yuki took care of herself by working every day to be able to pay for college and a room to stay in. She also showed her independence by not taking any items from her childhood with her to Nagasaki. I sympathized for her because she had no room for storage to keep anything from her youth. I felt like if she really tried to find a way to take her things to Nagasaki she could, because “where there is a will, there is a way.” Yuki showed independence when she first decided to stay away from love and Isamu because she believed it always caused pain. She told her peers that Isamu was her best friend, not her boyfriend for a while until she finally loved him. Yuki was independent and decided to stand out when she wanted to go to a small college in Nagasaki instead of the big, ambitious Kobe National University where Mr. Kimura teaches. Yuki even said, “I wouldn’t fit in at a national university. I don’t want to fit in” (Mori 133). The combination of Yuki’s independence and creativity in Shizuko’s Daughter greatly influenced her decisions, and made her the wonderful person she was portrayed as.
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