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booksnacks's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first encounter with Ryunosuke Akutagawa. I have previously read other classic Japanese literature, but I think some of these short stories may be my new favourites. I have also read other reviews that some of the translations are better by other translators, and so I will be looking to find different versions later on to compare. I can see why this author’s work is still popular even today. His storytelling is amazing! I loved the Heaven\Hell aspect in many of them, although many contain violence and despair.
If you are like me and haven’t read Akutagawa’s works yet, I would suggest picking something like this up first. I very much enjoyed this collection and will be looking for more! Thank you to NetGalley and Steerforth Press for the ARC!
If you are like me and haven’t read Akutagawa’s works yet, I would suggest picking something like this up first. I very much enjoyed this collection and will be looking for more! Thank you to NetGalley and Steerforth Press for the ARC!
_miriam_17's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
helloimamee's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
caryssimps's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
zhy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
alasdair_smith's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
gertron's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.0
Loved the first few stories, but I felt like I slogged through The General and Cogwheels to finish the collection.
naddie_reads's review against another edition
3.75
Reading this collection of short stories, I can see why Akutagawa's writings are still hailed as one of the great Japanese classics. So many great lines and insights within the parables here, and the author's biographical story at the end of this collection wrapped this one up nicely.
tessalitwish's review against another edition
4.0
“After all, to examine my past and set it down in writing means nothing less than to relive a past life.”
This collection of seven short stories (translated from Japanese) was an absolutely dark and twisted delight to read. I am so glad to have stumbled across Akutagawa’s work.
In Murder in the Age of Enlightenment, we encounter: a parable of escaping Hell, an amusing whodunit with a murder recounted from several conflicting perspectives, a story of a disturbing painted screen with even more disturbing consequences for the painter, a suicide note, a recounting of the horrors of war, a story of a figurine that may or may not have special powers (my favorite of the bunch), and a tale of a man’s travels through madness.
From “The General”:
“Whenever I see a man decked in medals, I cannot help thinking how many cruelties he must have committed in order to be given such reward . . .”
From my favorite story, “Madonna in Black”:
‘“Cease to hope that the decrees of Heaven can bend to prayer.” With an instinctive sense of fear, I beheld the Madonna—the very embodiment of fate. Clad in blackest ebony, she wore a look of eternal indifference, her beautiful ivory face crossed by a cruel smile tinged with malice.”
Thanks to Pushkin Press and NetGalley for the review copy!
This collection of seven short stories (translated from Japanese) was an absolutely dark and twisted delight to read. I am so glad to have stumbled across Akutagawa’s work.
In Murder in the Age of Enlightenment, we encounter: a parable of escaping Hell, an amusing whodunit with a murder recounted from several conflicting perspectives, a story of a disturbing painted screen with even more disturbing consequences for the painter, a suicide note, a recounting of the horrors of war, a story of a figurine that may or may not have special powers (my favorite of the bunch), and a tale of a man’s travels through madness.
From “The General”:
“Whenever I see a man decked in medals, I cannot help thinking how many cruelties he must have committed in order to be given such reward . . .”
From my favorite story, “Madonna in Black”:
‘“Cease to hope that the decrees of Heaven can bend to prayer.” With an instinctive sense of fear, I beheld the Madonna—the very embodiment of fate. Clad in blackest ebony, she wore a look of eternal indifference, her beautiful ivory face crossed by a cruel smile tinged with malice.”
Thanks to Pushkin Press and NetGalley for the review copy!