Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Evocative but short, December 21, 2006
I was surprised to encounter an English edition of Kino No Tabi while browsing the "teen fiction" section at (major chain bookstore), so I picked it up. At 200 pages, it's a very quick read, and it has a "teen fiction" feel. Overall, Kino No Tabi contains some interesting and valuable stories about human morality and relationships, but if you're past your teenage years, you've probably encountered similar stories before. And at the list price of $8 for 200 pages, it's hard for me to justify the cost of continuing with this 8-volume series.
Now a word about Tokyopop's treatment. Kino no Tabi is what's known as a "light novel" series in Japan. They typically have full-color cover artwork, perhaps a color insert page, and full-page black-and-white illustrations every chapter or so. Tokyopop's release is highly stylized, with black pages separating chapters, and most illustrations in a sort of filmstrip size/effect (i.e. greatly reduced). The original cover art is nowhere to be found. These changes were probably made to fit Kino no Tabi into Tokyopop's "pop fiction" line, and I must admit that they are reasonable alterations, though the purist in me would rather see a format closer to the original. There are no translation notes (not even for the title) but there is little cultural context in this series.
The anime series that was made from this novel series is very good, and I would have to recommend it over the novels.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Courtesy of Teens Read Too, December 1, 2006
"The World is not beautiful, therefore it is."
The first line in this book, and a powerful one. How funny it is that the one thing everyone strives for is perfection, yet we all agree that a perfect world is impossible. Even if it was possible, would we really want it?
Kino doesn't remember what her original name was, only that it was the name of a flower. The first Kino came into the town she lived in when she was eleven, days before she was to have the operation to make her a grownup. The first Kino was a traveller, spending only three days in each new place.
While "curing" a junked and discarded motorcycle, the first Kino tells the young girl about other places and other lives. Places where you don't have to have an operation to be considered an adult. Places where you don't have to do a job that makes you unhappy, just because it's required. He sparks a light in this little girl, and inadvertently brings about his own death. A new Kino is born. She escapes on Hermes, the repaired and animated motorcycle.
Kino becomes a traveller, moving from place to place, staying only three days. Some places are nice, some strange, some scary, and some are downright dangerous. Kino and Hermes learn about life, themselves, and humanity as a whole.
This was not only a really great story, but a really interesting look at the nature of people and society. As well as an interesting take on the concept of "be careful what you wish for". It challenged my ideas of right and wrong, and what cost they come at. It's the first of a planned eight books, and I am extremely interested to see what Kino and Hermes get into next.
Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautiful and fairy tale-like adventure, January 5, 2007
Kino is a traveler. She rides on Hermes, an extremely impressive talking motorcycle. Together they explore strange and bizarre countries and lands, rarely staying more than three days at a time. Kino believes it only takes three days to get to know what you need to about a place. Then it's back onto Hermes and off to another adventure.
KINO NO TABI is, quite honestly, a beautiful and fairy tale-like adventure with some extremely magical moments. Opening the book reveals a simple sentence: "The world is not beautiful, therefore it is." This is a great conceptual anchor for the story as Kino often finds herself in what would be considered non-beautiful territory, such as the Land of Majority Rule, a ghost town of hollow halls and vast graves, where a horrific King killed those who disagreed with him.
Throughout KINO NO TABI, we see that our hero is no mere passerby taking in the sights. She becomes involved. She is a seeker of knowledge and yet she is also willing to stand strong should she need to. This is quite prevalent in the segment entitled "Coliseum," where those admitted into the city-state are automatically entered into a savage tournament whereby the victor gains citizenship. Though not her first choice, she is ultimately left no choice but to fight, as refusers become slaves. She must take on the incredible swordsman, Shizu.
The Beauty to be found in the Beautiful World is not necessarily pretty. It can be brutal. It can be tragic. The story itself, almost in a travelogue narrative, is incredibly reminiscent of GULLIVER'S TRAVELS, perhaps sprinkled with a liberal touch of "The Twilight Zone." KINO NO TABI, while entertaining and sometimes humorous, also provides moments of introspection and occasionally borders on the philosophical.
After enduring some white-knuckle moments, Hermes asks Kino near the novel's end why she travels, why she never settles and undertakes a normal life. Kino never answers him. From the stories contained here, one can plainly see that it is the journey that keeps Kino going, that keeps her satisfied with her life, no matter how difficult it may be. It is the adrenaline rush and the uncertainty of it all that is life for her, as it is in all great adventure tales.
--- Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard
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