The Friends [Paperback]

Kazumi Yumoto (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

Kiyama and his friends Kawabe and Yamashita become fascinated and curious about death when Yamashita's grandmother dies. They wonder what a dead body looks like and if the dead person becomes a ghost. They hope to see death firsthand by spying on an old man who looks like he will die soon. But while they watch the old man, he watches them. Soon their fascination for each other turns into a friendship that will change their lives forever.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This novel features three 12-year-old boys in Japan who find friendship through their mutual fascination with death. In a starred review, PW called this "an eloquent initiation story that first touches and then pierces the heart." Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 5^-7. Outsiders at home and at school, Kiyama and his two awkward sixth-grade friends decide to spy on a solitary old man in their small Japanese town. They want to see what happens when he dies. For them, death is the stuff of nightmare and ghosts, a fearful unknown. At first, the old man is angry, but their attention revitalizes him, and he draws them into his home. Together they fix his house, clean up his yard, plant a garden, and every day after cram school, gather there. When he does die, there's no horror--only heartfelt grief and loving memories that give them strength to go on. The novel is long, sometimes slow-moving, and Kiyama's first-person narrative is too articulate about his fears and their resolution. But the translation from the Japanese is immediate, both lyrical and casual. The characters, including the old man, are subtly drawn. Readers will be moved by the terror of death, the bond across generations, and the struggle of those whom society labels losers. Hazel Rochman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (May 11, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440414466
• ISBN-13: 978-0440414469
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,128,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very cool story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, May 6, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Friends (Hardcover)

This book was really interesting because kids my age wanted to learn more about death. The topic was one that I have never read about before in my life. I think that is why the story was so interesting to me. This book one of the best book I have ever read. Steven Yum, ASI

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Friends, December 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Friends (Hardcover)

This book was really thought provoking and was put together very nicely. I would recommend this book to young adults and adults who are looking for a fast read. The author uses a great deal of descriptive words. He used similes one example of this is when the main character is looking at the ocean and the waves are coming in. He says that the waves are like the world breathing. I also like how the author shows you how the characters change over the course of the book. At the beginning they have no idea what death is about. They have never known anyone who has died. In the end you get to see how they have changed and it is amazing. There is not an apparent climax to this book. The book is told through the main character. This perspective adds to the book. You get to know exactly what he his thinking. Like I said before this book was thought provoking. Since this book is about death you wonder about death yourself. Is there life after death? No one knows the answer but after reading this book you might come to your own conclusions. If you are a person who likes action this is not the book for you. The end is apparent at the beginning of the book but something happens to the friendship of the boys. My overall impression of this book is good. I think you gain an understanding about how you feel about death. I know that my opinion about it has changes and some of my questions were answered.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Friends, December 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Friends (Hardcover)

This book was really thought provoking and was put together very nicely. I would recommend this book to young adults and adults who are looking for a fast read. The author uses a great deal of descriptive words. He used similes one example of this is when the main character is looking at the ocean and the waves are coming in. He says that the waves are like the world breathing. I also like how the author shows you how the characters change over the course of the book. At the beginning they have no idea what death is about. They have never known anyone who has died. In the end you get to see how they have changed and it is amazing. There is not an apparent climax to this book. The book is told through the main character. This perspective adds to the book. You get to know exactly what he his thinking. Like I said before this book was thought provoking. Since this book is about death you wonder about death yourself. Is there life after death? No one knows the answer but after reading this book you might come to your own conclusions. If you are a person who likes action this is not the book for you. The end is apparent at the beginning of the book but something happens to the friendship of the boys. My overall impression of this book is good. I think you gain an understanding about how you feel about death. I know that my opinion about it has changes and some of my questions were answered.