60 pages • 2 hours read
Through the Arc of the Rain Forest
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Book Brief
212
Novel • Fiction
Amazon Rainforest • Contemporary
1990
Adult
15+ years
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
1,568 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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 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.
1,568 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
212
Novel • Fiction
Amazon Rainforest • Contemporary
1990
Adult
15+ years
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