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insanenekoWhile idly looking around I saw that ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
rusalkaz had posted the illustrations from volume 1 of Shiawase ni dekiru by Tanizaki Izumi and illustrated by Rikuyu Chikako with explanations (from the drama CD) here. I had been planning to write about this series (12 books total), but now I don't have to! I'll just talk about my impression of the entire series instead. XD
The series was, on the whole, very enjoyable to read. There is a large cast of characters, most of them stereotypical but still feeling decently genuine (a couple, notably Kuonji's oldest brother, could have been eliminated). The story isn't only focused on Honda and Kuonji's personal relationship--there's a good deal going on at work where they work closely together, as well as various other people in their lives. That variety let me not get too annoyed with what was probably the biggest problem with this series for me--Honda's refusal to see his relationship with Kuonji for what it is. It is understandable that he should want to be in denial since it started the way it started, but...after several books his stubborn denial got really old. To the author's credit, she does provide Honda with the kind of personality that would be irritatingly stubborn on some issues as well a background that causes him to avoid getting too close with others (and she showed this in a gradual and fairly subtle way, too!), so it's not like his denial isn't completely unreasonable...In any case, I had a much easier time of it after Honda admits what the reader and Kuonji have known for ages already.
As in virtually every BL novel, there are those expected cliched situations that authors can't seem to avoid (is there some kind of checklist of popular situations that every author has to meet?). Unfortunately, the author wasn't able to handle every one of them deftly and I really wished she had avoided including some of them. None of them were deal-breakers, but still.
And I feel like I've set off to list all the bad points of the series even though on the whole I like it! ^^; I should start talking about the good. First and shallowest: the art. Their bodies look like they have bone and flesh under their skin, and there's this reserved sensuality I love in their expressions. Even the sex scenes have an intimacy that makes me pay attention (I'd rather see scenes of intimacy than scenes of graphic sex). I think I can put this artist in the same category as Honami Yukine--though not at the same level--for gorgeous yet solid bodies and lovely sex scenes.
I like Honda and Kuonji. Honda is extremely hard-working and capable, completely uninterested in being an elite, kind yet crazy stubborn. Kuonji is confident, extremely hard-working and capable, focused and able to ignore minor details (such as consent) that get in his way, and has an awful sense of furniture style (think shiny gold and grandiose) that is at odds with his otherwise excellent style. They are both very good-looking and look good together. Kuonji is incredibly audacious in the beginning--after forcing himself on Honda, not only does he not feel guilty about it, she expects them to be in a relationship since they've had sex. I laughed when Honda changed the lock to his room to keep Kuonji out after Kuonji made a spare key and basically moved in with him--only to have Kuonji break in from the balcony and get really mad as Honda's actions had "forced" him to extreme measures. His attitude is so natural Honda, who can be weak when pushed at times, finds himself on the defensive. It also kept me from getting really annoyed at Kuonji...And frankly, Kuonji turned out to be quite a solicitous boyfriend. Putting aside the whole rape and forcing his way into Honda's personal life thing in the beginning, he may even be ideal...Especially for Honda.
It's funny how little time they actually spend together because they are overworked workaholics. The more work you give them the harder they work, always doing what needs to be done in the end. I like that they are both very capable, but are still cogs in the huge company they both work for. Sometimes I feel like BL novels like to focus on extraordinary characters who can work outside the rules...These guys kind of do, but at the same time they are just like any other employee at a big company with obligations, etc.
The other relationships in the novel are nicely done as well. Honda's co-workers are a hilarious bunch. They were a bit annoying at times, but they are so good natured I didn't stay annoyed for very long. There are a couple of strong and interesting female characters, some of whom I wish I had gotten to know better. In particular, Honda's mother...His relationship with her is absolutely fascinating, I wish we got a bit more interaction between the two. :P
I thought the series ended on a very good note, with a chapter of their lives ending but lots of new and ongoing threads foreseeable. The problem is that the end of volume 11 was pretty exciting, so 12 ended up a bit of a let down for me (especially since I read volumes 2 through 11 at once and had to wait a while for volume 12 to be published). :P
Oh, and the drama CDs are excellent. Okiayu Ryoutarou does haughty seme sooo well, and Morikawa Toshiyuki is so good at being put upon and exasperated. I've heard...I think three of the drama CDs, and they are hilarious. This story is well suited to the format.
Sorry about the weird tenses, I just don't want to bother being consistent. :P
rusalkaz had posted the illustrations from volume 1 of Shiawase ni dekiru by Tanizaki Izumi and illustrated by Rikuyu Chikako with explanations (from the drama CD) here. I had been planning to write about this series (12 books total), but now I don't have to! I'll just talk about my impression of the entire series instead. XDThe series was, on the whole, very enjoyable to read. There is a large cast of characters, most of them stereotypical but still feeling decently genuine (a couple, notably Kuonji's oldest brother, could have been eliminated). The story isn't only focused on Honda and Kuonji's personal relationship--there's a good deal going on at work where they work closely together, as well as various other people in their lives. That variety let me not get too annoyed with what was probably the biggest problem with this series for me--Honda's refusal to see his relationship with Kuonji for what it is. It is understandable that he should want to be in denial since it started the way it started, but...after several books his stubborn denial got really old. To the author's credit, she does provide Honda with the kind of personality that would be irritatingly stubborn on some issues as well a background that causes him to avoid getting too close with others (and she showed this in a gradual and fairly subtle way, too!), so it's not like his denial isn't completely unreasonable...In any case, I had a much easier time of it after Honda admits what the reader and Kuonji have known for ages already.
As in virtually every BL novel, there are those expected cliched situations that authors can't seem to avoid (is there some kind of checklist of popular situations that every author has to meet?). Unfortunately, the author wasn't able to handle every one of them deftly and I really wished she had avoided including some of them. None of them were deal-breakers, but still.
And I feel like I've set off to list all the bad points of the series even though on the whole I like it! ^^; I should start talking about the good. First and shallowest: the art. Their bodies look like they have bone and flesh under their skin, and there's this reserved sensuality I love in their expressions. Even the sex scenes have an intimacy that makes me pay attention (I'd rather see scenes of intimacy than scenes of graphic sex). I think I can put this artist in the same category as Honami Yukine--though not at the same level--for gorgeous yet solid bodies and lovely sex scenes.
I like Honda and Kuonji. Honda is extremely hard-working and capable, completely uninterested in being an elite, kind yet crazy stubborn. Kuonji is confident, extremely hard-working and capable, focused and able to ignore minor details (such as consent) that get in his way, and has an awful sense of furniture style (think shiny gold and grandiose) that is at odds with his otherwise excellent style. They are both very good-looking and look good together. Kuonji is incredibly audacious in the beginning--after forcing himself on Honda, not only does he not feel guilty about it, she expects them to be in a relationship since they've had sex. I laughed when Honda changed the lock to his room to keep Kuonji out after Kuonji made a spare key and basically moved in with him--only to have Kuonji break in from the balcony and get really mad as Honda's actions had "forced" him to extreme measures. His attitude is so natural Honda, who can be weak when pushed at times, finds himself on the defensive. It also kept me from getting really annoyed at Kuonji...And frankly, Kuonji turned out to be quite a solicitous boyfriend. Putting aside the whole rape and forcing his way into Honda's personal life thing in the beginning, he may even be ideal...Especially for Honda.
It's funny how little time they actually spend together because they are overworked workaholics. The more work you give them the harder they work, always doing what needs to be done in the end. I like that they are both very capable, but are still cogs in the huge company they both work for. Sometimes I feel like BL novels like to focus on extraordinary characters who can work outside the rules...These guys kind of do, but at the same time they are just like any other employee at a big company with obligations, etc.
The other relationships in the novel are nicely done as well. Honda's co-workers are a hilarious bunch. They were a bit annoying at times, but they are so good natured I didn't stay annoyed for very long. There are a couple of strong and interesting female characters, some of whom I wish I had gotten to know better. In particular, Honda's mother...His relationship with her is absolutely fascinating, I wish we got a bit more interaction between the two. :P
I thought the series ended on a very good note, with a chapter of their lives ending but lots of new and ongoing threads foreseeable. The problem is that the end of volume 11 was pretty exciting, so 12 ended up a bit of a let down for me (especially since I read volumes 2 through 11 at once and had to wait a while for volume 12 to be published). :P
Oh, and the drama CDs are excellent. Okiayu Ryoutarou does haughty seme sooo well, and Morikawa Toshiyuki is so good at being put upon and exasperated. I've heard...I think three of the drama CDs, and they are hilarious. This story is well suited to the format.
Sorry about the weird tenses, I just don't want to bother being consistent. :P
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(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-01 09:50 am (UTC)And that's a MINOR detail? XD Kuonji's actions sound vaguely stalker-y, to be honest. ^_^;; (Though well, this is BL, where often stalker-ness is a sign of TRUE WUV - that is, as long as you're not ugly and are instead incredibly handsome/rich/confident etc. etc.)
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-01 07:05 pm (UTC)The funny thing is, the author managed to make Kuonji so natural while doing all of these things that after a while I just laughed...