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katisfullybooked's review against another edition
4.0
Wow! These stories read like a dream. It felt like there was no clear beginning or end, just dreamy stories that the reader could float through.
riverss's review against another edition
4.0
"You felt like everything had come to a halt, like you were stuck in some sort of snowdrift where what had piled up wasn't snow but time."
inaane's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emiia's review against another edition
4.0
The more I read, the more I'm liking Banana's writing. It's crystal clear and yet there's a mystical almost otherworldly quality to it. Beautiful.
mittens_the_scamp's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
epsilina's review against another edition
3.0
This is my first time reading anything by Banana Yoshimoto. I liked this book, but did not love it, though I am sure I will read another book of hers again.
I found the characters interesting, and I always appreciate magical realism. Perhaps with the exception of the third and titular story, however, I didn't feel that the stories included in Asleep felt finished. Unlike most readers, it seems, I was far more interested in the first two stories. When I finished the first story I felt disappointed that I wasn't going to continue following these characters. They were the most compelling to me in the book, and I wanted to spend more time with them. The second story felt particularly short changed by its brevity--in some ways I feel sincerity was lost by not fleshing it out more.
The third story was a bit of a toss up for me. It definitely felt the most complete, but I didn't find myself particularly interested. I have narcolepsy, and could certainly relate to the main character. It was a solid and frankly realistic depiction of having chronic fatigue and depression, and her processing the death of her friend was compelling. However, I felt like the story had the wrong focus, almost. I cared very little about her and her boyfriend; the entire story line felt more like a distraction from the far more interesting exploration of her friend. It's not so much that I don't think that it should have been included as weighted differently.
I found the characters interesting, and I always appreciate magical realism. Perhaps with the exception of the third and titular story, however, I didn't feel that the stories included in Asleep felt finished. Unlike most readers, it seems, I was far more interested in the first two stories. When I finished the first story I felt disappointed that I wasn't going to continue following these characters. They were the most compelling to me in the book, and I wanted to spend more time with them. The second story felt particularly short changed by its brevity--in some ways I feel sincerity was lost by not fleshing it out more.
The third story was a bit of a toss up for me. It definitely felt the most complete, but I didn't find myself particularly interested. I have narcolepsy, and could certainly relate to the main character. It was a solid and frankly realistic depiction of having chronic fatigue and depression, and her processing the death of her friend was compelling. However, I felt like the story had the wrong focus, almost. I cared very little about her and her boyfriend; the entire story line felt more like a distraction from the far more interesting exploration of her friend. It's not so much that I don't think that it should have been included as weighted differently.
jeanxgrey's review against another edition
3.0
It was rather hard for me to really get into the first story, but overall it's a good book. I found myself deeply engrossed in the story of the woman who feels haunted. It was by far my favorite of the three stories. So much so that I wish it had been a book all on its own with a more fleshed out story, instead of being the shortest of the three. This wasn't particularly my favorite book, but I feel it's definitely worth being read.
letty10's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
unicornmistyy's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
4.5
A quietly devastating collection of short stories that really resonated with me. With grief as a central theme, it is hardly uplifting. Rather, Yoshimoto left me feeling seen — less alone in the dark. Especially the start of the second story — "Love Songs" affected me, though I holistically prerred both the first and third stories.
mihu_'s review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
3.75
last story ‘asleep’ was excellent