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chris_davies's review against another edition
2.0
There are some good stories in this book, but most of them are just too obscure for me. The writing is good, and when I am able to appreciate the subtext or analogy being made, it all works very well. But roughly two-thirds of the stories here left me confused and underwhelmed. Perhaps my lack of knowledge of Japanese culture is the reason, although that hasn't stopped me enjoying other books by authors from that country.
It's a shame, because the I usually really like the type of stories being told - in which weird goings on infest everyday life - and the first three stories are good. Sadly, it's downhill from there, with the longest story - An Exotic Marriage - not really justifying its length and the rest leaving me baffled.
It's a shame, because the I usually really like the type of stories being told - in which weird goings on infest everyday life - and the first three stories are good. Sadly, it's downhill from there, with the longest story - An Exotic Marriage - not really justifying its length and the rest leaving me baffled.
bettylooksatbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
4.0
han_reads_13579's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Fantastic collection of surreal stories with a hilariously feminist vibe. I loved the writing style, clear but smart and thoughtful. My favourite was the novella (40% of the book) "an exotic marriage" I thought it was really clever and funny, I was cheering by the end! I didn't quite understand the meaning of some of them, but I think I'll be thinking about them for a while. "Paprika Jiro" and "The Dogs" had me particularly baffled ...what?!
wintr's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
katiecatbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Japanese. Short stories. Spec fic.
Story: This collection contains a number of short stories set in modern day Japan, each with a bit of a twist that will leave the reader mildly disturbed yet intrigued to read more.
Language: Most of the stories are around 10 pages in length, with a couple of shorter ones and a single long one. This collection consists of mostly speculative fiction - a normal Japanese day or home and yet something slightly off. Motoya's writing (and Yoneda's translation) is both warm and cold at the same time, simple yet murky and a real page-turner.
Characters: Most of the characters in the stories are housewives and working men in their 30's and 40's. Told in first person, sometimes it takes a few pages to even identify who the narrator is, but it doesn't put off the reading.
One of the best short story collections I've ever read. I wish more of her books were available in English, I'd read them all!
Story: This collection contains a number of short stories set in modern day Japan, each with a bit of a twist that will leave the reader mildly disturbed yet intrigued to read more.
Language: Most of the stories are around 10 pages in length, with a couple of shorter ones and a single long one. This collection consists of mostly speculative fiction - a normal Japanese day or home and yet something slightly off. Motoya's writing (and Yoneda's translation) is both warm and cold at the same time, simple yet murky and a real page-turner.
Characters: Most of the characters in the stories are housewives and working men in their 30's and 40's. Told in first person, sometimes it takes a few pages to even identify who the narrator is, but it doesn't put off the reading.
One of the best short story collections I've ever read. I wish more of her books were available in English, I'd read them all!
goodgirl's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Some of the stories were less than memorable. The only story that lingered was "An Exotic Marriage".
fromlindenmere's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
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
2.25
candiemarsh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
lostcupofstars's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Women & Identity is the key theme throughout these stories.
The Lonesome Bodybuilder - 4/5
I liked the theme of identity in this and how it was brought forward.
Fitting Room - 5/5
This was so weird but I loved it! Weirdly relatable in a lot of ways lol. What does it mean to be a woman?
Typhoon - 5/5
Another great story. It said so much in such a short span of pages. And I will never really complain about the presence of magic realism. Hope, possibility, community.
I Called You by Name - 4/5
Intriguing. I felt like I could really imagine what the curtain looked like. Identity, belonging, loss, paranoia.
An Exotic Marriage - 3.75/5
This was a strange one. I think it could have done with being a little more concise. What I did love about it was the relationship between San and Kitae. A story about identity, individuality, codependency, sacrifice, temptation, freedom - so many themes in this one and I reckon I will be thinking about it for weeks to come.
Paprika Jiro - 2/5
This one was perhaps a little too abstract for me? Wasn’t really sure what it was trying to say. Maybe like a tooth fairy type deal where it only works/happens if you believe in it. Could be about the strength of belief/acceptance/fear etc but in general it fell flat compared to its predecessors.
How to Burden the Girl - 2/5
I think this would have worked better for me if it wasn’t a conversation. Interesting enough story but it was too much tell and too short to build anything else.
The Women - 3.5/5
The phrase ‘too little too late’ springs to mind here. Bit of a weird one but there are so many interesting things to interpret from this.
Q&A - 4/5
The saddle answer sold this for me lol. It was a bit random but it brought something a little lighter than the other stories. Absurd but honest. About who you are, who you think you should be and who you want to be.
The Dogs - 3/5
This one had a bit of a Shirley Jackson feel to it. I liked the eerie, isolated atmosphere and the townspeople being shifty peaked my interest. I guess this could also be interpreted a number of ways.
The Straw Husband - 3.5/5
Not sure this was the right story to end on, but I liked it. The magical realism made it more interesting to read and added a lot of dynamics in a short space. The representation of anger made sense to me.
Overall this was a mixed collection, a much stronger start than finish, but I imagine I’ll be thinking about these stories for quite some time.
Side note - the synopsis doesn’t reflect the contents very well.
The Lonesome Bodybuilder - 4/5
I liked the theme of identity in this and how it was brought forward.
Fitting Room - 5/5
This was so weird but I loved it! Weirdly relatable in a lot of ways lol. What does it mean to be a woman?
Typhoon - 5/5
Another great story. It said so much in such a short span of pages. And I will never really complain about the presence of magic realism. Hope, possibility, community.
I Called You by Name - 4/5
Intriguing. I felt like I could really imagine what the curtain looked like. Identity, belonging, loss, paranoia.
An Exotic Marriage - 3.75/5
This was a strange one. I think it could have done with being a little more concise. What I did love about it was the relationship between San and Kitae. A story about identity, individuality, codependency, sacrifice, temptation, freedom - so many themes in this one and I reckon I will be thinking about it for weeks to come.
Paprika Jiro - 2/5
This one was perhaps a little too abstract for me? Wasn’t really sure what it was trying to say. Maybe like a tooth fairy type deal where it only works/happens if you believe in it. Could be about the strength of belief/acceptance/fear etc but in general it fell flat compared to its predecessors.
How to Burden the Girl - 2/5
I think this would have worked better for me if it wasn’t a conversation. Interesting enough story but it was too much tell and too short to build anything else.
The Women - 3.5/5
The phrase ‘too little too late’ springs to mind here. Bit of a weird one but there are so many interesting things to interpret from this.
Q&A - 4/5
The saddle answer sold this for me lol. It was a bit random but it brought something a little lighter than the other stories. Absurd but honest. About who you are, who you think you should be and who you want to be.
The Dogs - 3/5
This one had a bit of a Shirley Jackson feel to it. I liked the eerie, isolated atmosphere and the townspeople being shifty peaked my interest. I guess this could also be interpreted a number of ways.
The Straw Husband - 3.5/5
Not sure this was the right story to end on, but I liked it. The magical realism made it more interesting to read and added a lot of dynamics in a short space. The representation of anger made sense to me.
Overall this was a mixed collection, a much stronger start than finish, but I imagine I’ll be thinking about these stories for quite some time.
Side note - the synopsis doesn’t reflect the contents very well.
velvet_young's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror, Blood, and Incest