Customer Reviews

Namako: Sea Cucumber

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As I read this book my emotions went up and down along with Ellen, the protagonist. I would be laughing hysterically at the childrens antics and crying when Ellen makes personal discoveries about herself and her grandmother. I could almost feel the seering heat of the steambath.

I've had just finished reading the Novel Sea Cucumber by Linda Watanabe Mcferrin, and I would like to say that is a great book! The Novel Sea Cucumber is about a girl name Ellen who travel to Japan with her family to take care of her grandmother which she had never meet.
This book shows how the love of a grandmother and a granddaughter can grow so loving, strong, and understanding. For example, in the beginning when Ellen found out she was staying with her grandmother, Ellen said, "Oh. Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Ellen isn't sad or depressed that she had to stay with her grandmother. She was fine about it and took it calmly. Also, during New Year, Ellen said to her grandmother, "But Grandmother, if you don't come, the year wouldn't be lucky." This starts to show how much she cared for her grandmother. Ellen grew to love her grandmother so much, and she learned to care for her grandmother when she is lonely or sad. Without her grandmother being there with her, it wouldn't be Ellen's "lucky day". Furthermore, near the end of the book, Ellen said, "I had found a kami, who filled me with hopes for my grandmother, for myself, for every part of the world, one who promised that the water would always turn clear." This shows that Ellen found new hope not only for herself, but also her grandmother. She grew to understand more about herself and her grandmother. Through what the kami had taught her, I don't think Ellen will ever forget her grandmother and how much her love has grow for her grandmother ever since.
Ellen also gains a friendship throughout the novel and learns to trust each other. For instance, Ellen said, "Anne and I were perfectly matched. We were both the children of preoccupied parents. Mr. and Mrs. Matsuda were preoccupied with their jobs. Anna was an only child. Sara and Gene were preoccupied with trying to understand one another. Anna and I thrived on this absence of supervision." Ellen's friendship with Anne isn't only about "just being friends", but it is also about what they have in common and what being a friend is all about. They shared smiliarities and that's what keeps their friendship strong. Also, Ellen said, "That summer, before we switched schools, I had my first professional haircut. Anne was with me." Anne is a truly best friend. From what Ellen said, Anne seems to be a friend that will always be there whenever Ellen needs her. In addition, Anne stole tin pins that were painted gold and covered with gaudy fake diamonds, and she said, "Something to remember the moment. We'll wear then forever. Ellen, these are the symbols of our friendship." Friendship is strong and alive through both of them. No matter how far apart they might be or what goes wrong between them, their friendship will always last and their trust in each other will grow stronger each day.
In this book, there are things that I've liked and not liked. I liked how the story was told in first person so I would understand how the main character, Ellen, was going through. I also liked the fairy tales and stories that were told by her mother, Sara, and her grandmother. It showed me that in their times, they had stories about demons and evil people as a common story tale. The novel also showed some of the culture that Ellen and her family had. I've also learned that love between family and friendship can grow very strong throughout life. I didn't like the novel so much because it was predictable to know what will happen next, but otherwise this book is a great book. I don't like knowing what will happen next, but I usually like to be surprised at the end of the book.
I would definitely recommend this novel to other readers because this book is in the first person tense and it shows how the person feels as the story is told. It adds more voice to the novel and shows what the main character is thinking about in the novel. If the reader wants to read a book about love between friendship and the love of a grandmother and granddaughter, this is the book to get and start reading! Believe me, the readers will love it! Not only that book is interesting, but the readers will also gain and learn something out of it. The fun part about reading is to know what the reader is reading and to enjoy it while they are reading. This book is written in a simple format and is very easy to understand. I hope the people who are willing to try and read this book will love it like I do!

I've had just finished reading the Novel Sea Cucumber by Linda Watanabe Mcferrin, and I would like to say that is a great book! The Novel Sea Cucumber is about a girl name Ellen who travel to Japan with her family to take care of her grandmother which she had never meet.
This book shows how the love of a grandmother and a granddaughter can grow so loving, strong, and understanding. For example, in the beginning when Ellen found out she was staying with her grandmother, Ellen said, "Oh. Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Ellen isn't sad or depressed that she had to stay with her grandmother. She was fine about it and took it calmly. Also, during New Year, Ellen said to her grandmother, "But Grandmother, if you don't come, the year wouldn't be lucky." This starts to show how much she cared for her grandmother. Ellen grew to love her grandmother so much, and she learned to care for her grandmother when she is lonely or sad. Without her grandmother being there with her, it wouldn't be Ellen`s "lucky day". Furthermore, near the end of the book, Ellen said, "I had found a kami, who filled me with hopes for my grandmother, for myself, for every part of the world, one who promised that the water would always turn clear." This shows that Ellen found new hope not only for herself, but also her grandmother. She grew to understand more about herself and her grandmother. Through what the kami had taught her, I don't think Ellen will ever forget her grandmother and how much her love has grow for her grandmother ever since.
Ellen also gains a friendship throughout the novel and learns to trust each other. For instance, Ellen said, "Anne and I were perfectly matched. We were both the children of preoccupied parents. Mr. and Mrs. Matsuda were preoccupied with their jobs. Anna was an only child. Sara and Gene were preoccupied with trying to understand one another. Anna and I thrived on this absence of supervision." Ellen's friendship with Anne isn't only about "just being friends", but it is also about what they have in common and what being a friend is all about. They shared smiliarities and that's what keeps their friendship strong. Also, Ellen said, "That summer, before we switched schools, I had my first professional haircut. Anne was with me." Anne is a truly best friend. From what Ellen said, Anne seems to be a friend that will always be there whenever Ellen needs her. In addition, Anne stole tin pins that were painted gold and covered with gaudy fake diamonds, and she said, "Something to remember the moment. We'll wear then forever. Ellen, these are the symbols of our friendship." Friendship is strong and alive through both of them. No matter how far apart they might be or what goes wrong between them, their friendship will always last and their trust in each other will grow stronger each day.
In this book, there are things that I've liked and not liked. I liked how the story was told in first person so I would understand how the main character, Ellen, was going through. I also liked the fairy tales and stories that were told by her mother, Sara, and her grandmother. It showed me that in their times, they had stories about demons and evil people as a common story tale. The novel also showed some of the culture that Ellen and her family had. I've also learned that love between family and friendship can grow very strong throughout life. I didn't like the novel so much because it was predictable to know what will happen next, but otherwise this book is a great book. I don't like knowing what will happen next, but I usually like to be surprised at the end of the book.
I would definitely recommend this novel to other readers because this book is in the first person tense and it shows how the person feels as the story is told. It adds more voice to the novel and shows what the main character is thinking about in the novel. If the reader wants to read a book about love between friendship and the love of a grandmother and granddaughter, this is the book to get and start reading! Believe me, the readers will love it! Not only that book is interesting, but the readers will also gain and learn something out of it. The fun part about reading is to know what the reader is reading and to enjoy it while they are reading. This book is written in a simple format and is very easy to understand. I hope the people who are willing to try and read this book will love it like I do!

I'm new to Linda Watanabe McFerrin's writing, picked up this book more or less by chance on the strength of an interesting title and the Japanese connection...and loved it. I read the book in one sitting...not because it's such an overpowering page turner, but because McFerrin conjures up a subtle and appealing world that I suppose I felt reluctant to leave. The story moves along easily as a series of vignettes, written in a fluid style, a sometimes poignant subject balanced by a wonderfully impish wit that appeals to both head and heart.
It's a coming of age story with an interesting multicultural twist (I'll give a miss to the synopsis as it's been well done elsewhere). I found in it some fine and accurate touchstones to my own multicultural and vagabond childhood. I see it's been given a nod as a "best book" for teenagers. But it would be a shame if that left the impression it's a book particularly FOR teenagers. Though the story unfolds around and through the eyes of a young character (like another of my favourite titles, Mordecai Richler's "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz"), this is fine adult stuff. There's intelligence with a tender touch, and a mix of mischief and humour here that I found immediately likable. And it's subtle enough that there's plenty left for an alert reader to uncover by reading between the lines.
I'm a songwriter (and perhaps not the greatest "reviewer") but I've always appreciated being turned on to a good new writer or book. So I'd like to return the favor and recommend this one as well worth a look and the price of admission. It's very well done.

Namako is an amazing coming-of-age story about a girl of partial Japanese descent who moves to Japan with her family and learns to understand and embrace her cultural heritage--and in doing so, understand and embrace herself. It's beautifully written, completely engaging, funny, tender, enlightening and very moving. Anyone--young, old, Japanese or otherwise--can sympathize with Ellen, the observant, wise-beyond-her-years heroine, and her meaningful journey. Although this is a book written for adults, I believe it has been enthusiastically received by young adult readers; New York Library named it a "Best Book for Teenagers" the year it was released. Namako is a literary gem, the kind of novel I can imagine enduring for years as a coming-of-age classic.

I've had just finished reading the Novel Sea Cucumber by Linda Watanabe Mcferrin, and I would like to say that is a great book! The Novel Sea Cucumber is about a girl name Ellen who travel to Japan with her family to take care of her grandmother which she had never meet.
This book shows how the love of a grandmother and a granddaughter can grow so loving, strong, and understanding. For example, in the beginning when Ellen found out she was staying with her grandmother, Ellen said, "Oh. Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Ellen isn't sad or depressed that she had to stay with her grandmother. She was fine about it and took it calmly. Also, during New Year, Ellen said to her grandmother, "But Grandmother, if you don't come, the year wouldn't be lucky." This starts to show how much she cared for her grandmother. Ellen grew to love her grandmother so much, and she learned to care for her grandmother when she is lonely or sad. Without her grandmother being there with her, it wouldn't be Ellen`s "lucky day". Furthermore, near the end of the book, Ellen said, "I had found a kami, who filled me with hopes for my grandmother, for myself, for every part of the world, one who promised that the water would always turn clear." This shows that Ellen found new hope not only for herself, but also her grandmother. She grew to understand more about herself and her grandmother. Through what the kami had taught her, I don't think Ellen will ever forget her grandmother and how much her love has grow for her grandmother ever since.
Ellen also gains a friendship throughout the novel and learns to trust each other. For instance, Ellen said, "Anne and I were perfectly matched. We were both the children of preoccupied parents. Mr. and Mrs. Matsuda were preoccupied with their jobs. Anna was an only child. Sara and Gene were preoccupied with trying to understand one another. Anna and I thrived on this absence of supervision." Ellen's friendship with Anne isn't only about "just being friends", but it is also about what they have in common and what being a friend is all about. They shared smiliarities and that's what keeps their friendship strong. Also, Ellen said, "That summer, before we switched schools, I had my first professional haircut. Anne was with me." Anne is a truly best friend. From what Ellen said, Anne seems to be a friend that will always be there whenever Ellen needs her. In addition, Anne stole tin pins that were painted gold and covered with gaudy fake diamonds, and she said, "Something to remember the moment. We'll wear then forever. Ellen, these are the symbols of our friendship." Friendship is strong and alive through both of them. No matter how far apart they might be or what goes wrong between them, their friendship will always last and their trust in each other will grow stronger each day.
In this book, there are things that I've liked and not liked. I liked how the story was told in first person so I would understand how the main character, Ellen, was going through. I also liked the fairy tales and stories that were told by her mother, Sara, and her grandmother. It showed me that in their times, they had stories about demons and evil people as a common story tale. The novel also showed some of the culture that Ellen and her family had. I've also learned that love between family and friendship can grow very strong throughout life. I didn't like the novel so much because it was predictable to know what will happen next, but otherwise this book is a great book. I don't like knowing what will happen next, but I usually like to be surprised at the end of the book.
I would definitely recommend this novel to other readers because this book is in the first person tense and it shows how the person feels as the story is told. It adds more voice to the novel and shows what the main character is thinking about in the novel. If the reader wants to read a book about love between friendship and the love of a grandmother and granddaughter, this is the book to get and start reading! Believe me, the readers will love it! Not only that book is interesting, but the readers will also gain and learn something out of it. The fun part about reading is to know what the reader is reading and to enjoy it while they are reading. This book is written in a simple format and is very easy to understand. I hope the people who are willing to try and read this book will love it like I do!

The New York Public Library named this book one of the Best Books for the Teen-Age, and with good reason. I've taught this book several times in my introductory comp. and lit. classes, and students respond to it amazingly well. It's an unconventional coming of age story, or as the author has described it, "My Life as a Dog" set in Japan. As I've read and reread the book, I've become increasingly impressed by the book's poetic resonance-the plot may seem impressionistic, yet, believe me, every word belongs, every line is important. It is all of a piece. One of the most poetic and "teach-able" books I've encountered. Great for the classroom, and beyond.

I loved this book so much that I bought 2 copies to give to very dear friends who had lived in Japan. I read Namako on a ferry and the motion of the waves seemed to merge with the pulse of the narrative. This book is very beautifully written. There's a lot already written about girls on the cusp of adolescence but rare is a writer who handles her topic with such grace and depth. I loved the Japanese setting, the archetypal grandmother who kept challenging the young heroine, telling her she had no soul until finally the girl finds her soul and her path. It explores a lot of the dark nooks and crannies. It is never patronizing. Oddly, because of the Japanese setting, it feels like a fairy tale that could have happened anywhere, in any setting. I loved the final epiphany at the ending. I think this book is also a nice feminist alternative to all the Holden Caulfieldesque boy-centered books people of my generation were expected to read when we were teens.

Linda takes a new slant on the standard coming of age story. She weaves a nicely textured narration of a young girl's trials through adolescense, with the added twist of cultural shock as seen through a childs eyes. The novel flows smoothly, complete but as in all good storys, leaving the reader wanting more. A delightful work; sparkle, innocence, heartfelt. A throughly enjoyable novel for the child in all of us.