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selina_bulgari's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emiia's review against another edition
Ever since I came across 'In the Grove' a couple of years ago, Akutagawa's writing stayed with me. Having made such an impact, it was only natural that I would return to this author one day. Seeing as I can't read Japanese (yet, I'd like to believe), I am of course thankful to have yet another edition comprising his works. This said, however, I find myself questioning whether it were the works themselves of the style of translation that didn't jyve with me here because I didn't walk away as affected by the stories this time around. My favourite story here is probably The General as well as (unsurprisingly) Hellscreen. The latter I'd like to read in another translation as well.
natasha29singh's review against another edition
3.0
I do understand the hype: it’s very tight, deftly structured fiction, often in the form of vignettes, save Cogwheels, which is super interesting to read from an autobiographical point of view. I can't lie and say I don't prefer more contemporary works, but I think the mix of spooky/eerie setting, plot, and descriptiveness make this a satisfying read.
cryo_guy's review against another edition
4.0
After I finished the first story, I realized I had forgotten I read a collection of Akutagawa short stories a year ago. Thankfully, the two collections only shared one story.
At any rate, this time around I got a better sense of the irony and skillful use of the short story format. I enjoyed them pretty well. I can agree with the collection that Akutagawa was a talented writer and these are a good small collection of his stories to start with. And I especially like the cover of this volume. Knowing about the author's life, the last story becomes a rather dour meditation on addiction and mental health.
Side note: this book was one of my first purchases in a bookstore after having avoided them for a year and a half! Truly, what a triumph after such a dolorous age of ordering new books on amazon.
At any rate, this time around I got a better sense of the irony and skillful use of the short story format. I enjoyed them pretty well. I can agree with the collection that Akutagawa was a talented writer and these are a good small collection of his stories to start with. And I especially like the cover of this volume. Knowing about the author's life, the last story becomes a rather dour meditation on addiction and mental health.
Side note: this book was one of my first purchases in a bookstore after having avoided them for a year and a half! Truly, what a triumph after such a dolorous age of ordering new books on amazon.
theeternaldodo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
elisabethbeck's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Uncanny Valley vibes
saraheholtom's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
snivets's review against another edition
4.0
Some very interesting short stories, a wonderful and naturally translated set of works as I now expect from Pushkin Press.
Hell Screen *really* sticks with me — simply fantastic — but all of them taken together do have themes of a darkly troubled mind, which makes thematic sense with the war years in Japan. The last story, and its veering into autobiography territory, I found extremely disconcerting and devastating, considering the author's own suicide. It's also interesting to see how well Rashomon works as a written work (I know this came first, but Kurosawa executes it so well as a film you'll forgive me for wondering if it possibly works as well in text).
Hell Screen *really* sticks with me — simply fantastic — but all of them taken together do have themes of a darkly troubled mind, which makes thematic sense with the war years in Japan. The last story, and its veering into autobiography territory, I found extremely disconcerting and devastating, considering the author's own suicide. It's also interesting to see how well Rashomon works as a written work (I know this came first, but Kurosawa executes it so well as a film you'll forgive me for wondering if it possibly works as well in text).
pivotal's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
thesupermassive's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Moderate: War