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humblebee20's review
5.0
The first thing I read about this book was to take it slow and not read it in one go, despite its 120 page length. I'm really happy I took that advice to heart as this book is best enjoyed in small bursts. Each story is about 3-6 pages of a person or thing in the narrator's neighborhood. All of them seem self contained at first, but I was delighted when characters would return in other stories, giving the entire book a very interconnected feel, just like a real neighborhood that one would become aquainted with over time. Some stories are more coherent than others, but all of the stories have a sense of magical realism that makes them a treat read. The auto-biografical angle was a lovely touch that made me not want to leave. I do recommend not reading all of them in one day, these are definetely stories to savor.
moth_dance's review against another edition
2.0
(2.5) Good short-story collection. Not really memorable. But just strange enough--on the edge of speculative/myths/fables--to provide an interesting and quick read. Love love love the cover art.
sandrondo's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting and quirky stories that feel very much like a recollection of urban myths and legends you hear about your neighbourhood as a kid. Some of the stories are quite funny and creative — I found myself chuckling at how absurd they got.
manukahoney_reads's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Acid trip slice of life stories that are interconnected. Somehow this was so rich, vivid, wild and funny Completely set my imagination on fire and reminded me of magical stories I read as a kid and how much fun they were at that age. Basically, made me feel like a kid again or in touch with my inner child. I usually read literary fiction that's relatable but somehow this little world of magically realism captured my attention and help me take my mind of real life for a few pages.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty
jagna1a's review
5.0
some of the stories left me shocked and very confused, it was completely different from what i was expecting but i still enjoyed it a lot
afrokyhn's review against another edition
3.0
2,5 stars - I actually enjoyed the book in the beginning, it was weird but in a kinda refreshing way and it had some interesting little stories. but the more I came towards the end, the more I wanted to stop reading, it just became too weird and annoying to read, and some stuff just didn’t make sense to me.
danieldolinsky's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
esmeriios's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Every page felt like a fever dream, anytime I finished a chapter I couldn’t recount it, not because it was dull, but because it was so silly and sounds like it came from the mind of a child because I could never guess what the author would think of writing next. Not my taste but I can see why someone would pick this up and read in a sitting.
smallmac's review against another edition
funny
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.0
fairyhag's review against another edition
4.0
This is such a quaint little novel! Definitely a breath of fresh air after the heavier readings I've been completing this month. I absolutely adore vignette style novels, and loved the surrealist aspect to the stories Kawakami takes us through in this small but quirky neighborhood.