I could write a lot on this one but I don’t think I have the energy. It was good, and I feel like it’s likely polarizing, which is why I think I feel so strongly in two directions yet settle for three stars.

The Bad: MC is an insufferable nice guy, but reading the translators note it seems that’s the point and a theme in the author’s work. The journey of a creep that has the potential to be an actually good guy if he grows up a little. Still hard to read and relate and care for me, but maybe different for someone more in the coming of age campus life time of their life. Love interest was a manic pixie girl vibe.

The Mixed: The repetition is awful at times when it’s an obvious two page copy-paste, for the third time. Other times it’s a whimsical touch because things are slightly different. I wish there was more of the latter and less of the former. I struggled with the comedy for more than half the book, because I just kept reading it as an insufferable nice guy blaming his problems on others. Once I viewed it from an absurd satire perspective, I was able to loosen up on this, but it took too long for me to find the charm.

The Good: Sense of place, especially googling the locations, was fantastic. I felt like I was really in this neighborhood and especially after four trips through it, it was the most memorable character to me. I love a strong sense of space. Each part of the book got better, with the tipping point into good being the third, and the fourth actually feeling like a good time. Even the most obnoxious characters had their own charm by this point.

I’m conflicted on whether or not to read the second. I may place a hold at the library and give myself a very generous threshold to DNF it. If I do read it I’ll update this review, if I remember…