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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
fast-paced
I can never tell if short stories are better when they have a beginning, middle and end like a full length novel, or if they are more powerful as little snippets of someone's life that don't actually 'end' per se.
Yoshimoto's short stories fall into the latter - they are moments/snapshots of lives that you dip in and out of, that have no beginning or end. They are beautifully written, with wonderous, lyrical moments and innocent delight. I know short stories are usually best read one per sitting, but i couldn't resist devouring numerous stories in one go!
Would love to read 'Kithen' next.
Yoshimoto's short stories fall into the latter - they are moments/snapshots of lives that you dip in and out of, that have no beginning or end. They are beautifully written, with wonderous, lyrical moments and innocent delight. I know short stories are usually best read one per sitting, but i couldn't resist devouring numerous stories in one go!
Would love to read 'Kithen' next.
No sé bien cómo lo hace, pero Banana Yoshimoto siempre se va metiendo despacito en mi corazón. Los temas de sus historias no son banales pero sí muy mundanos, reales y a la vez con una pizca de magia sútil. El cuento Lagartija me conmovió, cómo ella y el narrador ven sus heridas y entienden que son parte de ellos. Los demás cuentos no recuerdo sus nombres, pero en todos hay ese sentimiento de estar bebiendo tu café en una casa con mucha luz natural sin ninguna prisa, ¿es una descripción rara? De verdad me es difícil ponerlo en palabras, y sin embargo Yoshimoto puede.
“At that moment, I was truly without words. I realized that the world didn't exist by virtue of my mind. On the contrary, he and I and everyone else were swept up in a great whirlpool, swirling around constantly and not knowing where we're bound. Our sensations of pleasure and suffering, our thoughts, none of these things can stop the motion. For the first time, I was able to step away from my imagined position in the center of the universe and see myself as part of something larger. This was my revelation, and I now felt--what? Not particularly happy or sad, but just a bit precarious, as if I'd relaxed some muscle that I hadn't needed to use all along.”
I pondered quite a bit on whether or not I wanted to read this as I'm not necessarily the biggest fan of short stories collection, but I find it so beautiful how this book is so interlaced with the undertone of hope - which I felt was needed in this time. I love Yoshimoto's work as they're written in a way that is almost detached, yet so human and beautiful.
I pondered quite a bit on whether or not I wanted to read this as I'm not necessarily the biggest fan of short stories collection, but I find it so beautiful how this book is so interlaced with the undertone of hope - which I felt was needed in this time. I love Yoshimoto's work as they're written in a way that is almost detached, yet so human and beautiful.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
3.75.
El epílogo es precioso. Hizo que la primera historia tuviera un sentido mucho más bonito y puro hacia el matrimonio. Sin embargo, Lagartija y Una curiosa historia a orillas de un gran río fueron mis favoritas. Me encantó que en el epílogo demostrase que las cosas no concluían y que no se trata sobre juzgar si una vida es buena o mala. Hermosa la transformación que tienen sus personajes, todos muy alejados de una perfección asiática que tanto se aspira de manera estereotipada. Me encantan sus relaciones imperfectas y sus personajes imperfectamente humanos. La última sobre todo, donde se le dio la esperanza y posibilidad de no ser juzgada ante una situación que un hombre tipo, habría reprochado considerablemente.
Banana, como siempre, un gusto leerla.
El epílogo es precioso. Hizo que la primera historia tuviera un sentido mucho más bonito y puro hacia el matrimonio. Sin embargo, Lagartija y Una curiosa historia a orillas de un gran río fueron mis favoritas. Me encantó que en el epílogo demostrase que las cosas no concluían y que no se trata sobre juzgar si una vida es buena o mala. Hermosa la transformación que tienen sus personajes, todos muy alejados de una perfección asiática que tanto se aspira de manera estereotipada. Me encantan sus relaciones imperfectas y sus personajes imperfectamente humanos. La última sobre todo, donde se le dio la esperanza y posibilidad de no ser juzgada ante una situación que un hombre tipo, habría reprochado considerablemente.
Banana, como siempre, un gusto leerla.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
A weird collection of short stories, very sparsely written and well-done.
Non ho trovato questi racconti d'impatto come altre raccolte della Yoshimoto; lei stessa li ha praticamente definiti in un certo senso immaturi.
Tre stelline comunque per la costante, la presa di coscienza.
Quell'attimo bellissimo e al tempo stesso una fitta all'anima, in cui - qualsiasi cosa tu dovessi capire - capisci.
Tre stelline comunque per la costante, la presa di coscienza.
Quell'attimo bellissimo e al tempo stesso una fitta all'anima, in cui - qualsiasi cosa tu dovessi capire - capisci.