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Karen Tei Yamashita

Through the Arc of the Rain Forest

Karen Tei YamashitaFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1990

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Book Brief

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Karen Tei Yamashita

Through the Arc of the Rain Forest

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1990
Book Details
Pages

212

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Amazon Rainforest • Contemporary

Publication Year

1990

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

15+ years

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Super Short Summary

Through the Arc of the Rain Forest by Karen Tei Yamashita is a magical realist novel narrated by a sentient floating sphere, set mainly in Brazil. The book intertwines the lives of multiple characters such as Kazumasa, a Japanese man who relocates to Brazil, and local residents like Batista and Tania. Using fantastical elements, the narrative explores themes of environmentalism, economic disparity, and faith.

Mysterious

Fantastical

Unnerving

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.1

1,568 ratings

70%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Karen Tei Yamashita's Through the Arc of the Rain Forest captivates with its imaginative plot and original storytelling, blending environmental themes with magical realism. Reviews commend its creativity and commentary on globalization, but some feel the narrative juggles too many threads, leading to occasional confusion. Overall, it offers a thought-provoking, if sometimes complex, read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Through the Arc of the Rain Forest?

Fans of magical realism and socio-political satire, much like readers of Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude or Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses, will enjoy Karen Tei Yamashita’s Through the Arc of the Rain Forest. This novel appeals to those who appreciate allegorical storytelling and global ecological themes.

4.1

1,568 ratings

70%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

212

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Amazon Rainforest • Contemporary

Publication Year

1990

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

15+ years

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