"Bungaku Shoujo" Series (original) (raw)

In terms of plot, I couldn't enjoy its fullest because I don't read hardcore literature as much, but if you're someone who does, I highly recommend this novel to you.

STORY & CHARACTER
Each volume of the novel is kind of like a spin-off of some famous Western or Japanese literary work, and the story progresses in the same general direction as the original work it is based on. Most characters appearing in the novel have their own motivation and resolve, but as the story develops the author will slowly reveal to you how he/she resembles a certain character in the original work. She adds her... own spin to the stories so it doesn't matter if you read the original work before, but perhaps it'd be interesting for someone who knew the original work.

ART & ATMOSPHERE
This may be a subjective opinion, but the author was able to nurture this tranquil, immersing school-life atmosphere that I've never felt before. It was similar to the feeling I got when reading spice and wolf, except calmer and sweeter, in the high school way. That feeling is super amplified when you look at the pictures. If you look at some of the covers, especially volume 6, hopefully you'll get what I mean. This just goes to show how well the artist was able to depict the scenes in the novel.

THIS NOVEL IS NOT GOD TIER AS PEOPLE SAY
This novel is not perfect. The level of sophistication often goes beyond what one would expect from a light novel, which fundamentally is supposed to be "light". Due to the way it was written, the literary components are too big of a fraction for the overall enjoyment, in the sense that I had put in too much effort to get through the reading. Sometimes it feels more like I'm doing an assigned reading from school rather than reading an anime-like novel during spare time. Other times there are some pretty depressing plots, which I really wouldn't want if I were trying to relax. Does this take away anything? For me yes.

Finally I should mention that the author is extremely good at writing. period. My only regret is that I couldn't get the full experience since I read this novel in Chinese.

Overall, great story, beautiful art, unique setting, heavy writing. I give this an 8/10.

On a side note, I've heard people say the anime is shit. So just read the novel.