You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
i expected to enjoy this a lot more than i did based on my prior experience with banana yoshimoto's work. ultimately, i found none of these stories particularly satisfying or moving, but it was a light and easy read that didn't leave an especially negative impression either. i will say that "a strange tale from down by the river" was easily my favorite of the batch.
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fast read but kept you engaged. Good stories.
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
This was exactly what I needed to get lost in without being a long story. Each of these stories managed to draw me in and get a feel for the characters and the different relationships The audiobook was also very easy to listen to and it being so short I listened to it on one day. Highly recommend.
Such rarity for a short story collection to get a full five stars from me. So often they fluctuate with some stories being better than others, but each was so deeply impactful. Every story packs a punch in a completely different way, leaving your defenses down on all sides by the end of the book. You end up feeling raw and exposed as if the dirt upon your skin has been rubbed away instead of washed away.
To be frank, there is absolutely nothing special about these stories. So it is baffling how much magic they hold in their words. Banana Yoshimoto sews life into her writing like a grandmother sews love into a quilt. You cannot help but hang onto each and every word, every phrase is tantalizing as if it were the most action-heavy, plot-ridden, world you've ever read. Her words feel like home, they feel like you could have written them yourself. For a moment they make you wonder if you /have/ written the words before you, with how familiar they feel.
This is the first Yoshimoto I have read, and I went to the bookstore the very day I finished it to find other writings from her. I am greatly looking forward to submersing myself in a full novel by her. This is a super recommend.
To be frank, there is absolutely nothing special about these stories. So it is baffling how much magic they hold in their words. Banana Yoshimoto sews life into her writing like a grandmother sews love into a quilt. You cannot help but hang onto each and every word, every phrase is tantalizing as if it were the most action-heavy, plot-ridden, world you've ever read. Her words feel like home, they feel like you could have written them yourself. For a moment they make you wonder if you /have/ written the words before you, with how familiar they feel.
This is the first Yoshimoto I have read, and I went to the bookstore the very day I finished it to find other writings from her. I am greatly looking forward to submersing myself in a full novel by her. This is a super recommend.
「とかげ」 par Yoshimoto Banana (吉本 ばなな). Traduction française Dominique Palmé et Satô Kyôko.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
sad
medium-paced