Catfish Rolling

Product Information

For those who tend to enjoy more action and adventure, it's on the slow side, and there are still many questions left open at the end about the fantastical aspects. The majority of the story takes place seven years later, as the world is adjusting to the change in time flow in certain areas.

Her dad slowly floats away from his mind, forgetting little things like what day it is or when something happen. You have to be okay with a slower pacing and not expect a flashy, plot heavy sci-fi novel, but if you surrender yourself the currents of this story, you’re in for an absolute treat. I've been a fan of Japanese fiction for a while now and anything that melds together the love of the natural world with a surreal story is fine with me. There's a biting scene where Sora's father's boss says that her Japanese is really good, and she responds along the lines of, "And so is yours. This is the sort of reading experience that has to be done at the right time, with patience and a open mind.I think I first read about this Japanese mythology when I was reading Ruth Ozeki’s “A Tale for the Time Being”. I want so much more information about why Sora is so unique - travelling between zones without much effect, keeping track of time so precisely, feeling zones and being able to judge their time, not to mention the electric shocks and fast-growing trees. I love the cover of this book, it caught my eye instantly and as soon as I read the blurb I wanted to jump right in. Overall, an enjoyable coming of age story that I would recommend to those who like contemplative, character-driven books. This is a truly thought-provoking thriller, channelling the menace of dystopian favourites such as Maze Runner and The Hunger Games.

Will Sora’s scientist father find the answer to what really happens in the ‘zones’ before it’s too late? The way the zones warp time is very similar to the effects that grief can have on our perception- and memory of time. The relationship with Sora's dad was sweet and realistic, and the way the author handled grief and intersected it with time was amazing. Kumagai is not here to answer your questions; she’s here to trap you in this narrative and keep you so intrigued you can’t escape.Kumagai nails the narrative on each of these levels in a way that only an incredibly skilful author can. The story isn’t about some epic plot to fix the time flow or save the world, but it doesn’t need to be. Emotions and loss transcend time, and this young girl only sees both as being beyond anyone's control.