The Great Passage

A Novel

eBook, 224 pages

English language

Published June 1, 2017 by Amazon Crossing.

ISBN:
978-1-4778-2500-6
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3 stars (3 reviews)

"Inspired as a boy by the multiple meanings to be found for a single word in the dictionary, Kohei Araki is devoted to the notion that a dictionary is a boat to carry us across the sea of words. But after thirty-seven years creating them at Gembu Books, it's time for him to retire and find his replacement. He discovers a kindred spirit in Mitsuya Majime--a young, disheveled square peg with a penchant for collecting antiquarian books and a background in linguistics--whom he swipes from his company's sales department. Led by his new mentor and joined by an energetic, if reluctant, new recruit and an elder linguistics scholar, Majime is tasked with a career-defining accomplishment: completing The Great Passage, a comprehensive 2,900-page tome of the Japanese language. On his journey, Majime discovers friendship, romance, and an incredible dedication to his work, inspired by the bond that connects us all: words" …

2 editions

Review of 'The Great Passage' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

I liked the beginning of this book, and I slowly liked it less as it progressed, until I simply wanted to be done with it and make it go away. It was almost as if the 'hell month' of the climax took over the entire book too, as the writing and plot narrowed into a singular focus around the work, and the rarer outside stories and characters became increasingly banal. If the intent was to make finishing the book as much of a chore as finishing the dictionary at the center of the story, it sure succeeded. Unfortunately, I didn't have the same jubilation when it was over.

Another big part of what turned me off is that there's just so much feel-good, everything goes right for everyone every time, Hallmark original plotting. The charmed lives of everyone in this book never seem to face rejection or failure. There are …

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rated it

4 stars
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rated it

4 stars