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狼と香辛料 [Ookami to Koushinryou] (Novel) #19
Spice & Wolf, Vol. 19: Spring Log II
Blissful days continue for the ex-merchant and the wolf as they pass the days together in their mountain home. Ever since Col and Myuri set off on a journey of their own, the bathhouse has been a little shorthanded so a new hire was brought on. But this newcomer is a wolf, just like Holo and the problems with her joining the staff seem endless...
232 pages, Paperback
First published May 10, 2017
14 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 5, 2019
A PETAL'S FRAGRANCE AND A WOLF
This was a cute and at the same time informative story. I'm also glad it was a flashback rather than the beginning of a new story all-together.
4/5
SWEET FANGS AND WOLF
A story told from Col's POV. I'm not really a fan of him as an MC, and I'm having trouble with the love-interest thingy - it just feels wrong to me. Story was a little too childish for my taste
I do like Myuri, though.
2/5
GROOMING SHEEP AND WOLF
I liked this short. I liked it focusing on Holo the way it did, and showing the relationship between the couple, not to mention the respect.
4/5
MEMORIES OF SPICE & WOLF
Yes, I cried, and I'm not ashamed of it!
As usual, I felt closer to the story because Holp was the one telling it, and because I feel like I know some of her thoughts better than Lawrence. This whole novella was sad and beautiful, lonely and lovely, and I'm so glad there's more to read!
5/5
---------------------------------------------------------
One of the better collections of short stories in this series, I think.
I'm having a little trouble rating the book as a whole, though, but think I found out how to do it!
I have to also admit to be glad this book wasn't like the first Spring Log - a series of short stories that really ended up being a full lenght book. It was confusing and really ruined the reading experience for me. Having it split into shorts that doesn't need to be read for the rest of the book to make sense, is what I prefer when I pick up a short story collection.
In other news, I'm now starting to consider re-reading the whole series. It only took me, what, four years to get through the whole thing and to this point? :P
This was a cute and at the same time informative story. I'm also glad it was a flashback rather than the beginning of a new story all-together.
4/5
SWEET FANGS AND WOLF
A story told from Col's POV. I'm not really a fan of him as an MC, and I'm having trouble with the love-interest thingy - it just feels wrong to me. Story was a little too childish for my taste
I do like Myuri, though.
2/5
GROOMING SHEEP AND WOLF
I liked this short. I liked it focusing on Holo the way it did, and showing the relationship between the couple, not to mention the respect.
4/5
MEMORIES OF SPICE & WOLF
Yes, I cried, and I'm not ashamed of it!
As usual, I felt closer to the story because Holp was the one telling it, and because I feel like I know some of her thoughts better than Lawrence. This whole novella was sad and beautiful, lonely and lovely, and I'm so glad there's more to read!
5/5
---------------------------------------------------------
One of the better collections of short stories in this series, I think.
I'm having a little trouble rating the book as a whole, though, but think I found out how to do it!
I have to also admit to be glad this book wasn't like the first Spring Log - a series of short stories that really ended up being a full lenght book. It was confusing and really ruined the reading experience for me. Having it split into shorts that doesn't need to be read for the rest of the book to make sense, is what I prefer when I pick up a short story collection.
In other news, I'm now starting to consider re-reading the whole series. It only took me, what, four years to get through the whole thing and to this point? :P
March 1, 2022
"Memories of her time with her companion. Memories she could never forget. She would fill her book with as many of them as she could.
A tome overflowing with happiness, like the season of life and blossoms and the bubbling waters of their home—a Spring Log.
It would become something that anyone would look at with a dry smile and shrug their shoulders in exasperation."
p. 176
Minha felicidade em saber que Spice and Wolf irá ganhar uma nova adaptação é indescritível, e então eu decidi voltar a ler a Novel.
1. A Petal's Fragrance and Wolf -> Foi interessante e prendeu minha atenção do início ao fim, gostei 9/10.
"Unlike town-based traders, they were not tied to land or people, so it was rather easy to move freely. The one difficulty was the inability to make close friends, the unchanging fact that no matter where they went, they would forever be an outsider. Even after death, they simply rotted away in the village they happened to be passing through or by the roadside, unbeknownst to anyone. Though their destinations welcomed merchants, along with the cargo and business they brought, this did not mean friendship [...]. That was why logic dictated he should find someone to sit beside him in the driver’s perch to bury the nighttime loneliness. He would simply have to endure losing part of his comfort."
O abade de um monastério que Lawrence conhecia há longo tempo pede-lhe um favor: que visite alguém que teve de deixar seu serviço a Deus para se tornar o lorde de uma pequena região agrícola. Após conhecê-la, Lawrence decide ajudá-la a confiscar os moinhos de mão dos camponeses para que assim os faça ter interesse em pagar os impostos para a restauração do moinho de água da região. Contudo, devido a uma flor oleosa, frequentes incêndios no Verão acabavam por queimar o moinho, sendo necessário retirar as flores pelo menos próximas ao local.
"[...] the villagers’ productivity would drop—and consequently their tax revenue—and the village’s economy would wither.
[...] Traveling merchants cheated on customs tariffs and plotted in order to avoid every sort of taxes towns imposed on their people. Even if they knew the tax would expand infrastructure in the town, making it safer, gathering people from all around, and expanding trade."
“These are the culprits, after all,” Amalie continued to explain. “If there was a use for these flowers, then the villagers would be happy to cut them down, and we would be able to protect the water mill.”
A solução encontrada por Lawrence, ao fim, foi criar um óleo perfumado inspirado no óleo caro que havia comprado para Holo:
“I always smell of sweet, fragrant flowers, but you simply never notice.” Her retort was issued while holding her hand to her nose. She certainly did smell faintly sweet all the time, but even Lawrence knew that trick. “That’s thanks to the oil you use on your tail. It was expensive, after all.” Holo glared hard at him. “You fool. I have always smelled this way!”
And when held up to the sun, there was a clear divide between water and oil in the bottle. Yergin pointed the opening of the bottle toward his mistress, Amalie.
“It will take a lot of flowers to make perfumed oil, but that’s not a problem here."
"He did not know how much they would be able to sell, but at least they would have a lot, and it smelled wonderful."
"Though he had come here for the tantalizing promise of making a quick profit, it did not seem like his wallet would be getting any fatter in the end. “…Okay.” He replied obediently, and Holo grinned like an innocent girl. Then, she spoke. “I must clean out your wallet regularly, after all.” “…” He looked at her, and she happily clung to his arm."
"“I surely know much more than you!” The two continued this back-and-forth as they knocked shoulders, exiting the shed together and walking back to the main house. Though they bickered, their hands were clasped together tightly. Wafting behind them as they walked was a sweet scent. It was not that of a flower, however, but something entirely different. Perhaps it was the fragrance of happiness."
2. Sweet Fangs -> Apesar de ser focado no Col e na Myuri, foi bonitinho ver a relação de irmãos entre os dois; foi uma leitura rápida, 30min. Gostei 8/10.
Resumo rápido: História da Myuri quebrando a ilha de um dos banhos incitando um sumô entre ursos e fazendo Col e Lawrence terem de consertá-la, enquanto ela foi para a floresta para buscar mel e entregar a um artesão [?] para produzir hidromel, bebida favorita de Col. Ele, no entando, não percebe essa intenção e discute com ela, deixando-a triste e presa em seu quarto.
Holo interefe e Col percebe seu erro; no fim, se desculpa com Myuri.
3. Grooming Sheep and Wolf -> Extremamente bonitinho, e foi justamente para isso que eu vim ler. Amei, 10/10.
"She began putting butter directly onto the whole, big piece of round bread, not bothering to break it into pieces. She behaved a little better when their only daughter and guests were around in the bathhouse, but here, at the side of the road in the woods, there was no one around to see them."
“I am fond of where I soak in hot water every day. The place you created.”
Inicialmente, uma discussão de Holo e Lawrence sobre a contratação de uma ajudante em Nyohhira, Selim, que também era uma deusa lobo.
"That being said, it was not an option to chase away the girl they wound up hiring, named Selim. If that happened, then she would truly have nowhere to go, as it was necessary for her to live far away from her older brother and family, who had traveled with her from the south. It would be horrible for a nonhuman to live alone in an unfamiliar town, and Holo was much more sensitive to loneliness than the average person. She was not opposed to the hiring of Selim itself, but her wolflike sense of territory itched at the back of her mind. “A young girl coming to us now doesn’t mean anything.”"
Enquanto voltavam de um festival numa cidade ao Sul, encontram-se com um pastor e seu cachorro com a pata ferida:
"Once upon a time, he, too, was a traveling merchant who lived on the road without a place in any town to call home. How would he have felt if his only conversation partner at the time, his wagon horse, got injured?"
Ele pede para que ambos cuidem de suas dezenas de ovelhas enquanto iria deixar seu cão com um amigo que vivia perto na floresta, ficando Holo então responsável por não deixá-las escapar, já que ela é um lobo e Lawrence estava com suas costas machucadas.
"However, Holo’s body was petrified, and she gripped the pole tightly with both hands.
Was it true? Had she really thought that?
Lawrence felt like he might cry, and an instant before he was going to callout to her—
“I—I…am not…a good-for-nothing.”"
“No matter how hard Selim works, you can drink as much as you want right by the hearth.”
“The reason I don’t scold you for sleeping in every day, going to the kitchen to eat four, five times a day, and grooming your tail whenever you have the chance is because I know you have your own proper work to do.”
"she was keeping a careful watch over her wards."
"Holo was the only one who could shepherd the flock. As long as she did that, there was nothing for him to say."
Após isso, Lawrence reflete por um momento de como apenas um cachorro pequeno poderia manter todas estas ovelhas juntas, e sugere para Holo que deve haver um líder entre elas, e que basta controlá-lo para manter o restante do rebanho também sob controle.
"Completely the opposite from earlier, Holo stood on the wagon bed, smiling proudly. She must have been happy to live up to her reputation as a wolf. Once she understood the trick, it worked in an instant. She directed the sheep with only her chin and was making them endlessly circle the area. It cheered her up considerably as she stepped down from the wagon to continue controlling the sheep while barely looking at them."
4. Memories of Spice and Wolf -> Indescritível, 10/10
Eu realmente não sei como resumir este capítulo porque estou consciente da minha completa incapacidade de dar vida e emoções a um texto. Adoraria resolver este problema, mas não consigo entender o que falta na forma como eu escrevo.
Infelizmente o GoodReads tem uma limitação de caracteres, então também não posso simplesmente copiar todos os trechos que marquei; portanto, resta-me apenas tentar escrever um texto ruim e rezar para que a minha memória me permita lembrar dos sentimentos que este capítulo me proporcionou.
Esta história foi focada na sensação de solidão da Holo e na sua ansiedade ao pensar na morte de Lawrence e seus outros amigos, tendo alguns trechos dedicados à nova personagem Salim, cuja verdadeira forma também é a de um lobo (porém menor e mais jovem que Holo).
"Her happy, daily routine flowed from yesterday to today without any distinction between them. If she was too happy, time would pass by much too quickly. That was why her words to her companion the night before had not been a lie. There were several things she was expecting from Selim, the new girl. The first was to simply do her share of work as a helper, so that this bathhouse her companion had spent his blood, sweat, and tears on could mature. And the second was to be a spark that could incite a quarrel between herself and her companion."
No início, junto aos pensamentos melancólicos de Holo, resolve-se o problema com Salim, uma garota jovem e atrapalhada no seu serviço na casa de banho que acaba ficando desanimada pelos recorrentes erros cometidos. Para alegrarem-na, Lawrence e Holo a levam para o outro lado da montanha, onde sua família (grupo, alcatéia?) construía alojamentos para viajantes.
Isto resolvido, volta-se o foco ao sentimento de Holo:
"She could foresee that their lives from now on would be a repetition of the same things over and over. Could she recall what she did yesterday, the day before, and the day before that Would anything happen from here on out that would stay in her memory if she looked back in a hundred years She grew anxious there was not enough happening if she hoped to bathe in plentiful warm memories."
"But that familiar face, too, was a bit different from what it had been when she first met him. It was not just the light of the candle; she could most certainly make out the age on his face. Though life in the bathhouse was an endless repetition of the same things, the flow of time was not."
"But as they walked together, she had to be careful not to grip his hand too tightly. Though she was supposed to be happy, she was bitter that this was not enough for her"
"She needed to stock up on as many memories as she could, so that she would be ready for the cold, harsh days alone that waited for her."
[Não consigo descrever as coisas acima de forma adequada, por isso só copiei]
Neste período, Lawrence dedica sua atenção aos diversos documentos que lhe foram entregues por monastérios de permissões para diferentes explorações econômicas, pedindo ajuda de Holo para categorizá-los.
"But such a pile of work could also be called a notable incident. If she looked back after a while, it might very well become a memory she could recall clearly. And she was glad it was something she could do together with him. Sitting beside each other, she could keep the lid on that dark well tightly shut."
E aqui vem a parte mais adorável possível que faz com que tudo que se tenha lido até agora de Spice and Wolf tenha um sentido muito mais forte e importante na história:
"“I see…Then…then why did you decide to undertake this work It has been bothering me. Do you simply wish to save money What will you do with all that money” “I can’t bring gold into heaven, you know.” “It can’t be…for me” She almost told him there was no need for that, but there was, for some reason, a look of relief on his face. “Even if I left you money, wouldn’t you just turn every coin into booze as you cry all by your lonesome or show no interest in it at all and instead crawl into a field of wheat” “Wh— You—” “Well, I do want to leave some money for the earthier Myuri, though.” He looked at her as she sat speechless, then smiled gently. “That’s why I want to leave you something that you would never let go, even when you’re dozing in the sun or curled up around a blanket on a cold, quiet night. Well…” For some reason, he stopped there, then scratched his head in embarrassment. “I wanted to do that. It’s been busy, and I’m not really used to it…” Not getting his point, she groaned in irritation, and he smiled and apologized repeatedly, then carried on. “It was a book.” “…A book” He shrugged. “You said it a long time ago. Tell the beautiful tale of your journey with me.”"
Além da ideia de criar um livro que recorde as viagens e vidas de Lawrence com Holo, surge também a ideia de que a vista dela, assim como a de Salim, é ruim, sendo este um dos motivadores para Lawrence aceitar o trabalho de monastérios; pois, além de poderem lhes fornecer papel e tinta para escrever, poderiam criar óculos para Holo poder ler e escrever sem dificuldades.
"“If I could see well, I may notice that I am not fond of your face. I would prefer not to be so disappointed after all this time.”"
"Then, she could put everything she saw and everything she had been unable to see until now into writing."
"“I’ll work as hard as I can to buy paper and ink, so you just need to write so much that you can’t read it all. You won’t get bored if you write so much that you forget the beginning by the time you reach the end, right”"
"She did not know how effective it would really be, but it was something that he had thought so hard about for her, and it made her so happy she wanted to cry."
"“But…If I spend all my time writing, would I not miss things I want to write down” “I’m honestly more worried whether you’ll actually do it every day or not, since you get bored so easily.”"
POR FIM:
"Memories of her time with her companion. Memories she could never forget. She would fill her book with as many of them as she could. A tome overflowing with happiness, like the season of life and blossoms and the bubbling waters of their home—a Spring Log. It would become something that anyone would look at with a dry smile and shrug their shoulders in exasperation."
A tome overflowing with happiness, like the season of life and blossoms and the bubbling waters of their home—a Spring Log.
It would become something that anyone would look at with a dry smile and shrug their shoulders in exasperation."
p. 176
Minha felicidade em saber que Spice and Wolf irá ganhar uma nova adaptação é indescritível, e então eu decidi voltar a ler a Novel.
1. A Petal's Fragrance and Wolf -> Foi interessante e prendeu minha atenção do início ao fim, gostei 9/10.
"Unlike town-based traders, they were not tied to land or people, so it was rather easy to move freely. The one difficulty was the inability to make close friends, the unchanging fact that no matter where they went, they would forever be an outsider. Even after death, they simply rotted away in the village they happened to be passing through or by the roadside, unbeknownst to anyone. Though their destinations welcomed merchants, along with the cargo and business they brought, this did not mean friendship [...]. That was why logic dictated he should find someone to sit beside him in the driver’s perch to bury the nighttime loneliness. He would simply have to endure losing part of his comfort."
O abade de um monastério que Lawrence conhecia há longo tempo pede-lhe um favor: que visite alguém que teve de deixar seu serviço a Deus para se tornar o lorde de uma pequena região agrícola. Após conhecê-la, Lawrence decide ajudá-la a confiscar os moinhos de mão dos camponeses para que assim os faça ter interesse em pagar os impostos para a restauração do moinho de água da região. Contudo, devido a uma flor oleosa, frequentes incêndios no Verão acabavam por queimar o moinho, sendo necessário retirar as flores pelo menos próximas ao local.
"[...] the villagers’ productivity would drop—and consequently their tax revenue—and the village’s economy would wither.
[...] Traveling merchants cheated on customs tariffs and plotted in order to avoid every sort of taxes towns imposed on their people. Even if they knew the tax would expand infrastructure in the town, making it safer, gathering people from all around, and expanding trade."
“These are the culprits, after all,” Amalie continued to explain. “If there was a use for these flowers, then the villagers would be happy to cut them down, and we would be able to protect the water mill.”
A solução encontrada por Lawrence, ao fim, foi criar um óleo perfumado inspirado no óleo caro que havia comprado para Holo:
“I always smell of sweet, fragrant flowers, but you simply never notice.” Her retort was issued while holding her hand to her nose. She certainly did smell faintly sweet all the time, but even Lawrence knew that trick. “That’s thanks to the oil you use on your tail. It was expensive, after all.” Holo glared hard at him. “You fool. I have always smelled this way!”
And when held up to the sun, there was a clear divide between water and oil in the bottle. Yergin pointed the opening of the bottle toward his mistress, Amalie.
“It will take a lot of flowers to make perfumed oil, but that’s not a problem here."
"He did not know how much they would be able to sell, but at least they would have a lot, and it smelled wonderful."
"Though he had come here for the tantalizing promise of making a quick profit, it did not seem like his wallet would be getting any fatter in the end. “…Okay.” He replied obediently, and Holo grinned like an innocent girl. Then, she spoke. “I must clean out your wallet regularly, after all.” “…” He looked at her, and she happily clung to his arm."
"“I surely know much more than you!” The two continued this back-and-forth as they knocked shoulders, exiting the shed together and walking back to the main house. Though they bickered, their hands were clasped together tightly. Wafting behind them as they walked was a sweet scent. It was not that of a flower, however, but something entirely different. Perhaps it was the fragrance of happiness."
2. Sweet Fangs -> Apesar de ser focado no Col e na Myuri, foi bonitinho ver a relação de irmãos entre os dois; foi uma leitura rápida, 30min. Gostei 8/10.
Resumo rápido: História da Myuri quebrando a ilha de um dos banhos incitando um sumô entre ursos e fazendo Col e Lawrence terem de consertá-la, enquanto ela foi para a floresta para buscar mel e entregar a um artesão [?] para produzir hidromel, bebida favorita de Col. Ele, no entando, não percebe essa intenção e discute com ela, deixando-a triste e presa em seu quarto.
Holo interefe e Col percebe seu erro; no fim, se desculpa com Myuri.
3. Grooming Sheep and Wolf -> Extremamente bonitinho, e foi justamente para isso que eu vim ler. Amei, 10/10.
"She began putting butter directly onto the whole, big piece of round bread, not bothering to break it into pieces. She behaved a little better when their only daughter and guests were around in the bathhouse, but here, at the side of the road in the woods, there was no one around to see them."
“I am fond of where I soak in hot water every day. The place you created.”
Inicialmente, uma discussão de Holo e Lawrence sobre a contratação de uma ajudante em Nyohhira, Selim, que também era uma deusa lobo.
"That being said, it was not an option to chase away the girl they wound up hiring, named Selim. If that happened, then she would truly have nowhere to go, as it was necessary for her to live far away from her older brother and family, who had traveled with her from the south. It would be horrible for a nonhuman to live alone in an unfamiliar town, and Holo was much more sensitive to loneliness than the average person. She was not opposed to the hiring of Selim itself, but her wolflike sense of territory itched at the back of her mind. “A young girl coming to us now doesn’t mean anything.”"
Enquanto voltavam de um festival numa cidade ao Sul, encontram-se com um pastor e seu cachorro com a pata ferida:
"Once upon a time, he, too, was a traveling merchant who lived on the road without a place in any town to call home. How would he have felt if his only conversation partner at the time, his wagon horse, got injured?"
Ele pede para que ambos cuidem de suas dezenas de ovelhas enquanto iria deixar seu cão com um amigo que vivia perto na floresta, ficando Holo então responsável por não deixá-las escapar, já que ela é um lobo e Lawrence estava com suas costas machucadas.
"However, Holo’s body was petrified, and she gripped the pole tightly with both hands.
Was it true? Had she really thought that?
Lawrence felt like he might cry, and an instant before he was going to callout to her—
“I—I…am not…a good-for-nothing.”"
“No matter how hard Selim works, you can drink as much as you want right by the hearth.”
“The reason I don’t scold you for sleeping in every day, going to the kitchen to eat four, five times a day, and grooming your tail whenever you have the chance is because I know you have your own proper work to do.”
"she was keeping a careful watch over her wards."
"Holo was the only one who could shepherd the flock. As long as she did that, there was nothing for him to say."
Após isso, Lawrence reflete por um momento de como apenas um cachorro pequeno poderia manter todas estas ovelhas juntas, e sugere para Holo que deve haver um líder entre elas, e que basta controlá-lo para manter o restante do rebanho também sob controle.
"Completely the opposite from earlier, Holo stood on the wagon bed, smiling proudly. She must have been happy to live up to her reputation as a wolf. Once she understood the trick, it worked in an instant. She directed the sheep with only her chin and was making them endlessly circle the area. It cheered her up considerably as she stepped down from the wagon to continue controlling the sheep while barely looking at them."
4. Memories of Spice and Wolf -> Indescritível, 10/10
Eu realmente não sei como resumir este capítulo porque estou consciente da minha completa incapacidade de dar vida e emoções a um texto. Adoraria resolver este problema, mas não consigo entender o que falta na forma como eu escrevo.
Infelizmente o GoodReads tem uma limitação de caracteres, então também não posso simplesmente copiar todos os trechos que marquei; portanto, resta-me apenas tentar escrever um texto ruim e rezar para que a minha memória me permita lembrar dos sentimentos que este capítulo me proporcionou.
Esta história foi focada na sensação de solidão da Holo e na sua ansiedade ao pensar na morte de Lawrence e seus outros amigos, tendo alguns trechos dedicados à nova personagem Salim, cuja verdadeira forma também é a de um lobo (porém menor e mais jovem que Holo).
"Her happy, daily routine flowed from yesterday to today without any distinction between them. If she was too happy, time would pass by much too quickly. That was why her words to her companion the night before had not been a lie. There were several things she was expecting from Selim, the new girl. The first was to simply do her share of work as a helper, so that this bathhouse her companion had spent his blood, sweat, and tears on could mature. And the second was to be a spark that could incite a quarrel between herself and her companion."
No início, junto aos pensamentos melancólicos de Holo, resolve-se o problema com Salim, uma garota jovem e atrapalhada no seu serviço na casa de banho que acaba ficando desanimada pelos recorrentes erros cometidos. Para alegrarem-na, Lawrence e Holo a levam para o outro lado da montanha, onde sua família (grupo, alcatéia?) construía alojamentos para viajantes.
Isto resolvido, volta-se o foco ao sentimento de Holo:
"She could foresee that their lives from now on would be a repetition of the same things over and over. Could she recall what she did yesterday, the day before, and the day before that Would anything happen from here on out that would stay in her memory if she looked back in a hundred years She grew anxious there was not enough happening if she hoped to bathe in plentiful warm memories."
"But that familiar face, too, was a bit different from what it had been when she first met him. It was not just the light of the candle; she could most certainly make out the age on his face. Though life in the bathhouse was an endless repetition of the same things, the flow of time was not."
"But as they walked together, she had to be careful not to grip his hand too tightly. Though she was supposed to be happy, she was bitter that this was not enough for her"
"She needed to stock up on as many memories as she could, so that she would be ready for the cold, harsh days alone that waited for her."
[Não consigo descrever as coisas acima de forma adequada, por isso só copiei]
Neste período, Lawrence dedica sua atenção aos diversos documentos que lhe foram entregues por monastérios de permissões para diferentes explorações econômicas, pedindo ajuda de Holo para categorizá-los.
"But such a pile of work could also be called a notable incident. If she looked back after a while, it might very well become a memory she could recall clearly. And she was glad it was something she could do together with him. Sitting beside each other, she could keep the lid on that dark well tightly shut."
E aqui vem a parte mais adorável possível que faz com que tudo que se tenha lido até agora de Spice and Wolf tenha um sentido muito mais forte e importante na história:
"“I see…Then…then why did you decide to undertake this work It has been bothering me. Do you simply wish to save money What will you do with all that money” “I can’t bring gold into heaven, you know.” “It can’t be…for me” She almost told him there was no need for that, but there was, for some reason, a look of relief on his face. “Even if I left you money, wouldn’t you just turn every coin into booze as you cry all by your lonesome or show no interest in it at all and instead crawl into a field of wheat” “Wh— You—” “Well, I do want to leave some money for the earthier Myuri, though.” He looked at her as she sat speechless, then smiled gently. “That’s why I want to leave you something that you would never let go, even when you’re dozing in the sun or curled up around a blanket on a cold, quiet night. Well…” For some reason, he stopped there, then scratched his head in embarrassment. “I wanted to do that. It’s been busy, and I’m not really used to it…” Not getting his point, she groaned in irritation, and he smiled and apologized repeatedly, then carried on. “It was a book.” “…A book” He shrugged. “You said it a long time ago. Tell the beautiful tale of your journey with me.”"
Além da ideia de criar um livro que recorde as viagens e vidas de Lawrence com Holo, surge também a ideia de que a vista dela, assim como a de Salim, é ruim, sendo este um dos motivadores para Lawrence aceitar o trabalho de monastérios; pois, além de poderem lhes fornecer papel e tinta para escrever, poderiam criar óculos para Holo poder ler e escrever sem dificuldades.
"“If I could see well, I may notice that I am not fond of your face. I would prefer not to be so disappointed after all this time.”"
"Then, she could put everything she saw and everything she had been unable to see until now into writing."
"“I’ll work as hard as I can to buy paper and ink, so you just need to write so much that you can’t read it all. You won’t get bored if you write so much that you forget the beginning by the time you reach the end, right”"
"She did not know how effective it would really be, but it was something that he had thought so hard about for her, and it made her so happy she wanted to cry."
"“But…If I spend all my time writing, would I not miss things I want to write down” “I’m honestly more worried whether you’ll actually do it every day or not, since you get bored so easily.”"
POR FIM:
"Memories of her time with her companion. Memories she could never forget. She would fill her book with as many of them as she could. A tome overflowing with happiness, like the season of life and blossoms and the bubbling waters of their home—a Spring Log. It would become something that anyone would look at with a dry smile and shrug their shoulders in exasperation."
April 15, 2018
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry...
Many years ago, the younger brother of a friend introduced me to SPICE & WOLF. From those humble beginnings of first seeing Holo, the Wisewolf spring naked in Lawrence Kraft's cart I have followed the two along every step. Whenever a new book came out, I would immediately buy a copy if one hadn't been already pre-ordered. I might not of read every volume in a timely manner but I always anticipated revisiting the couple and to see what misadventure was next for the two. This is it. The series has now finished and the last two "epilogue" books have now been published (translated and released Stateside.)
SPRING LOG II, like it's predecessor, is composed of short stories that link together to form an overall narrative. This one isn't as strict as the last one but continues on where it left off. This is especially true in terms of themes. Towards the end of the series, the inevitable gloom of Holo's long life and Lawrence all too brief one is a constant point. If there is any complaint, it's that this issue is brought on too much and Isuna is too reliant on it creating a unending melancholy mood. What is next for Holo once Lawrence dies is an unpleasant thorn that never goes anyway. SPRING LOG II attempts to bring this to a closure- once and for all. There are smiles to be had but as the book raced towards it's bittersweet ending, I was letting out the smallest of tears. I'll miss the two and perhaps always enjoy playful wondering of what everyday life will be like for Lawrence and Holo but I will always be thankful for how Isuna ended the series with the two being so cute with each other as it is.
Time and time again, Isuna Hasekura has woven story after story that tugged at the heartstrings and beams of smiles; in this respect, SPRING LOG II is a suitable ending to a wonderful journey. By nineteen volumes, you are presumably already sold on the relationships and the series as a whole but it goes without saying that this final entry to SPICE & WOLF is an absolute joy to read and will always shine on as one of the most beautiful pieces of fantasy one can experience.
Grab a box of tissues and prepare to lose the battle over not crying in this exquisite novel. XO
Many years ago, the younger brother of a friend introduced me to SPICE & WOLF. From those humble beginnings of first seeing Holo, the Wisewolf spring naked in Lawrence Kraft's cart I have followed the two along every step. Whenever a new book came out, I would immediately buy a copy if one hadn't been already pre-ordered. I might not of read every volume in a timely manner but I always anticipated revisiting the couple and to see what misadventure was next for the two. This is it. The series has now finished and the last two "epilogue" books have now been published (translated and released Stateside.)
SPRING LOG II, like it's predecessor, is composed of short stories that link together to form an overall narrative. This one isn't as strict as the last one but continues on where it left off. This is especially true in terms of themes. Towards the end of the series, the inevitable gloom of Holo's long life and Lawrence all too brief one is a constant point. If there is any complaint, it's that this issue is brought on too much and Isuna is too reliant on it creating a unending melancholy mood. What is next for Holo once Lawrence dies is an unpleasant thorn that never goes anyway. SPRING LOG II attempts to bring this to a closure- once and for all. There are smiles to be had but as the book raced towards it's bittersweet ending, I was letting out the smallest of tears. I'll miss the two and perhaps always enjoy playful wondering of what everyday life will be like for Lawrence and Holo but I will always be thankful for how Isuna ended the series with the two being so cute with each other as it is.
Time and time again, Isuna Hasekura has woven story after story that tugged at the heartstrings and beams of smiles; in this respect, SPRING LOG II is a suitable ending to a wonderful journey. By nineteen volumes, you are presumably already sold on the relationships and the series as a whole but it goes without saying that this final entry to SPICE & WOLF is an absolute joy to read and will always shine on as one of the most beautiful pieces of fantasy one can experience.
Grab a box of tissues and prepare to lose the battle over not crying in this exquisite novel. XO
October 22, 2017
I'm so glad to be alive, and also so glad I took Japanese in University.
October 10, 2018
In Summary
Holo never refers to Lawrence as her husband, but Spring Log II covers the span of what is essentially their marriage, from the early days when they were still traveling by wagon to parenting moments with Myuri and Col to the empty-nester phase. Economics figures into some of the stories, but the main focus is Holo and Lawrence’s relationship and the issues that arise because Lawrence’s lifespan is so much shorter than Holo’s. While Holo retains her sharp tongue, she shows much more affection than in the main Spice and Wolf arc, and there are plenty of warm and fuzzy moments for Holo/Lawrence fans to enjoy.
The Review
Spring Log II delivers four additional stories that take place after Lawrence and Holo have settled down together. However, even though A Petal’s Fragrance and Wolf is framed in the context of Lawrence and Holo as empty-nesters, the tale actually centers on an incident that took place while they were still traveling about in Lawrence’s wagon. It’s very much a classic Spice and Wolf setup. The pair arrive in a community with a money-related dilemma (in this case, contention over funding for a water mill’s repairs), and through some combination of Lawrence’s and Holo’s abilities, a clever answer to the problem arises. Considering that Holo’s rose-scented oil is the inspiration for Lawrence’s money-making/fire-prevention scheme, it seems as if the solution should have been obvious much sooner. But because they’re stuck pondering the problem for so long, readers get to see Lawrence and Holo handle the situation as recently committed lovers rather than simply merchant and wisewolf.
The POV next shifts from Lawrence to Col in Sweet Fangs and Wolf. Lawrence and Holo take on the role of supporting cast, and the spotlight turns to Spice and Wolf’s aspiring priest and the tomboy Miyuri. While we get a glimpse of Lawrence and Holo as parents, the story is more about Col’s and Miyuri’s drastically different personalities and how they manage to maintain a warm relationship despite their differences.
Then it’s back to Lawrence’s POV and another travel story in Grooming Sheep and Wolf. But this trip takes place after the events of Muddy Messenger Wolf and Wolf of Volume 18, and poor Lawrence is dealing with the aches and pains that come with getting older. However, certain things do get better with age. In the main Spice and Wolf arc, Lawrence was constantly misreading situations and looking the fool before Holo. In this story, the roles get switched; Holo’s the one caught in embarrassment, and Lawrence is able to see the true feelings behind the Holo’s crumbling facade. After so many volumes of Holo mocking Lawrence, this story is a refreshing change of pace.
For the final story in the volume, Hasekura-sensei uses a POV we don’t see often: Holo’s. Set after Grooming Sheep and Wolf and the first volume of Wolf and Parchment, Memories of Spice and Wolf shows the Spice and Wolf household shaken up not only by the new wolf Selim but the repercussions from the actions of the kids who’ve recently left. As such, it winds up feeling like two separate stories, one about Selim’s adjustment from her family pack and another about the avalanche of parchment that’s landed on Lawrence’s desk.
The thing that holds the otherwise disparate arcs together is Holo’s anxious struggle to embed events in her memory. References to time feel less concrete than in other characters’ POVs, which heightens the impression that Holo experiences the flow of events much differently than the rest of the cast. For most of the series, Holo has been the image of confidence and power. However, just as in Grooming Sheep and Wolf, Holo’s insecure side comes to the surface, and it’s Lawrence who recognizes that weakness and lovingly shows her a way past her fears. Interestingly, Holo never refers to Lawrence by name. While in her perspective, Lawrence is “her companion” or “Fool” (although she does call Lawrence “dear” twice during a tender moment). Regardless, he is precious to her, and her emotions flow beautifully off the page as Lawrence tries to prepare her for the day he can no longer be with her.
This light novel includes the first eight pages of illustrations printed in color, world map, seven black-and-white illustrations, and afterword.
For more manga and book reviews, drop by my blog Keeping It In Canon!
Holo never refers to Lawrence as her husband, but Spring Log II covers the span of what is essentially their marriage, from the early days when they were still traveling by wagon to parenting moments with Myuri and Col to the empty-nester phase. Economics figures into some of the stories, but the main focus is Holo and Lawrence’s relationship and the issues that arise because Lawrence’s lifespan is so much shorter than Holo’s. While Holo retains her sharp tongue, she shows much more affection than in the main Spice and Wolf arc, and there are plenty of warm and fuzzy moments for Holo/Lawrence fans to enjoy.
The Review
Spring Log II delivers four additional stories that take place after Lawrence and Holo have settled down together. However, even though A Petal’s Fragrance and Wolf is framed in the context of Lawrence and Holo as empty-nesters, the tale actually centers on an incident that took place while they were still traveling about in Lawrence’s wagon. It’s very much a classic Spice and Wolf setup. The pair arrive in a community with a money-related dilemma (in this case, contention over funding for a water mill’s repairs), and through some combination of Lawrence’s and Holo’s abilities, a clever answer to the problem arises. Considering that Holo’s rose-scented oil is the inspiration for Lawrence’s money-making/fire-prevention scheme, it seems as if the solution should have been obvious much sooner. But because they’re stuck pondering the problem for so long, readers get to see Lawrence and Holo handle the situation as recently committed lovers rather than simply merchant and wisewolf.
The POV next shifts from Lawrence to Col in Sweet Fangs and Wolf. Lawrence and Holo take on the role of supporting cast, and the spotlight turns to Spice and Wolf’s aspiring priest and the tomboy Miyuri. While we get a glimpse of Lawrence and Holo as parents, the story is more about Col’s and Miyuri’s drastically different personalities and how they manage to maintain a warm relationship despite their differences.
Then it’s back to Lawrence’s POV and another travel story in Grooming Sheep and Wolf. But this trip takes place after the events of Muddy Messenger Wolf and Wolf of Volume 18, and poor Lawrence is dealing with the aches and pains that come with getting older. However, certain things do get better with age. In the main Spice and Wolf arc, Lawrence was constantly misreading situations and looking the fool before Holo. In this story, the roles get switched; Holo’s the one caught in embarrassment, and Lawrence is able to see the true feelings behind the Holo’s crumbling facade. After so many volumes of Holo mocking Lawrence, this story is a refreshing change of pace.
For the final story in the volume, Hasekura-sensei uses a POV we don’t see often: Holo’s. Set after Grooming Sheep and Wolf and the first volume of Wolf and Parchment, Memories of Spice and Wolf shows the Spice and Wolf household shaken up not only by the new wolf Selim but the repercussions from the actions of the kids who’ve recently left. As such, it winds up feeling like two separate stories, one about Selim’s adjustment from her family pack and another about the avalanche of parchment that’s landed on Lawrence’s desk.
The thing that holds the otherwise disparate arcs together is Holo’s anxious struggle to embed events in her memory. References to time feel less concrete than in other characters’ POVs, which heightens the impression that Holo experiences the flow of events much differently than the rest of the cast. For most of the series, Holo has been the image of confidence and power. However, just as in Grooming Sheep and Wolf, Holo’s insecure side comes to the surface, and it’s Lawrence who recognizes that weakness and lovingly shows her a way past her fears. Interestingly, Holo never refers to Lawrence by name. While in her perspective, Lawrence is “her companion” or “Fool” (although she does call Lawrence “dear” twice during a tender moment). Regardless, he is precious to her, and her emotions flow beautifully off the page as Lawrence tries to prepare her for the day he can no longer be with her.
This light novel includes the first eight pages of illustrations printed in color, world map, seven black-and-white illustrations, and afterword.
For more manga and book reviews, drop by my blog Keeping It In Canon!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2019
Another nice addition to the series. I wish it had some stronger economic ties to the stories at times, but the series has drifted more towards character exploration recently. The final story from Holo's perspective was a welcome addition and I think brought the book's rating up from average to a bit above.
As for the stories, the first is about a town and a watermill, the second is about Col being mad at Myuri, the third is about Holo acting as shepherdess, and the final (and best, in my opinion) is about Holo's insecurities and how the bathhouse runs after Col and Myuri leave and Selim comes to work.
As for the stories, the first is about a town and a watermill, the second is about Col being mad at Myuri, the third is about Holo acting as shepherdess, and the final (and best, in my opinion) is about Holo's insecurities and how the bathhouse runs after Col and Myuri leave and Selim comes to work.
March 23, 2021
I enjoyed this little collection of short stories, especially the last one from Holo's point of view. Either the original stories or the translation are a bit awkward in places, and there's nothing that absolutely blew me away, but it's fun and sweet and I enjoyed it. It's nice to see Holo and Lawrence just having a nice happy life together.
June 16, 2018
as always, Hasekura does not disappoint. it's so easy to fall back in love with these characters the moment you crack the cover. in a way, it's sad to have their tales wind down, but it is also satisfying to get little bits and pieces of their lives after they have settled down.
August 12, 2018
In Memories of Spice and Wolf, I felt a personal sincere connection with the thoughts and feelings of Holo along with the brilliant solution by Lawrence. In fact, that's what I did while I wanted to keep the lid on the well shut.
What a brilliantly realistic author Isuna Hasekura is.
What a brilliantly realistic author Isuna Hasekura is.
June 4, 2018
I think the mortality message in this story is getting a little depressing.
November 6, 2018
Hasekura finally addressed much clearly the issue of 'mortality' in this book and in Holo's perspective.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2019
5 stars does not do this series justice.
September 2, 2021
Absolutely beautiful
March 4, 2019
The initial shorter stories in this volume seem to show a growing strength in that format (not that previous ones were bad). For those who read the main arc and felt a bit cheated in not seeing "what comes next" this is a relatively satisfying read.
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