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versmonesprit's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
I know why I have this book — I collected the mini Modern set. What I can’t tell is why I read it, because I have the big Japanese story collection these were taken from. I want to save a deeper approach for when I read and review that, so I’ll keep this short.
Behind the Prison by Kafū Nagai was well written alright, but to me it offered nothing else that’s special and memorable.
Closet LLB by Kōji Uno was a huge leap from the previous story. I’d categorise this as the OG rot girl summer — and it was worryingly relatable. It did not, however, turn dark as I thought it would.
The last story by Akutagawa, General Kim, was a testament to that unique quality a Great Writer has. It’s hard to pinpoint what it is about this sort of prose, but it immediately sets itself apart and above all others. The tone was impeccable, and I loved the supernatural elements. Definitely a must-read!
Behind the Prison by Kafū Nagai was well written alright, but to me it offered nothing else that’s special and memorable.
Closet LLB by Kōji Uno was a huge leap from the previous story. I’d categorise this as the OG rot girl summer — and it was worryingly relatable. It did not, however, turn dark as I thought it would.
The last story by Akutagawa, General Kim, was a testament to that unique quality a Great Writer has. It’s hard to pinpoint what it is about this sort of prose, but it immediately sets itself apart and above all others. The tone was impeccable, and I loved the supernatural elements. Definitely a must-read!
spark94's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
snow45's review against another edition
3.0
o primeiro conto é incrível, o segundo é ok, o terceiro é meh
achilleanshelves's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really wonderful collection of short stories that I'm so glad I've read. My favourite was Kafū Nagai's Behind the Prison because I absolutely adored the writing style and the epistolary format.
pink_lobster's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
vik96's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Lovely prose and scene-setting in the first story, and some strange and funny irony in the second. Third story was more of a fantasy parable that felt a little out of place next to the first two stories.
zoebasson's review against another edition
4.0
“i will probably be here, doing nothing, for the time being. indeed, i may have to spend the rest of my life like this.”
these stories were really interesting, definitely very bleak, but often relatable, and i actually quite enjoyed them. i’m glad the little penguin books are broadening my reading <3