Scan barcode
phoenix2's review against another edition
2.0
Lizard is an anthology of short stories by Banana Yoshimoto. And even though they all had her flare and distinctive way of narration, I did enjoy the first ones only, with the final one kind of losing me with its twists and turns. I like also the ideas embedded in the stories.
brindabani's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
coffeebooksrepeat's review against another edition
5.0
These stories of guilt, of dancing DNAs, of river bridges, of losing and later (re)discovering spirituality, and bringing home a huge jar of kimchee show relatable circumstances of adults searching for things that truly matter while facing real world challenges in urban cities.
Reading this tiny book about experiences, trauma, healing, and becoming was satisfying but at the same time frustrating because I wanted a couple of stories to be a bit longer, a full novel even.
Officially signing up as a member of #Bananarama!
While I usually rate my books with coffee, I’d rate this one differently. Giving this wonderful little gem 4 huge jars of homemade kimchee.
Reading this tiny book about experiences, trauma, healing, and becoming was satisfying but at the same time frustrating because I wanted a couple of stories to be a bit longer, a full novel even.
Officially signing up as a member of #Bananarama!
While I usually rate my books with coffee, I’d rate this one differently. Giving this wonderful little gem 4 huge jars of homemade kimchee.
deerling's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I've never read anything from Banana Yoshimoto before. Somehow this short story collection was nice and interesting to read, even though nothing much happened throughout the book. I'll most likely continue reading Yoshimoto's other works.
bookworld_15's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A love letter on how we should treat others and how we should treat ourselves. I was in aw at the self reflection that was in this book. From accountability, to forgiveness, I was washed clean of my own inner turmoils with Banana's writing. Every sentence, and every paragraph was constructed to tug at the heart strings within your chest, to remind you and comfort you that humanity can be... hopeful.
moth_dance's review against another edition
5.0
Soft meditations. Slice of life reflections. Lo-fi contemporary fiction. Tokyo on slo-mo.
Yet another beautiful and thoughtful addition for any Banana Yoshimoto collection. In fact, maybe you should start here with these short stories before digging into her more complex novels?
Yet another beautiful and thoughtful addition for any Banana Yoshimoto collection. In fact, maybe you should start here with these short stories before digging into her more complex novels?
anyajulchen's review against another edition
5.0
Es la primera vez en mucho tiempo que leo algo escrito tan simple, pero cuya carga de sentimientos, de sensaciones y de reflexiones es tan compleja como sus personajes. Son relatos cortos y eternos.
No puedo esperar a explorar el resto de la bibliografía de Yoshimoto.
No puedo esperar a explorar el resto de la bibliografía de Yoshimoto.
suvata's review against another edition
4.0
• Audible Original audiobook (Length: 3.5 hours)
Publisher's Summary:
Banana Yoshimoto's warm, witty, and heartfelt depictions of the lives of young Japanese have earned her international acclaim and best seller status, as well as a place among the best of contemporary Japanese literature. In Lizard, now available in Grove Press paperback, Yoshimoto deftly fuses traditional and pop culture to create contemporary portraits of love and life. These six tales explore themes of time, healing, and fate - and the journeys of self-discovery through which young urbanites come to terms with them.
In "Newlywed", an unhappily married young man deliberately misses his stop on the train, only to be questioned by a shape-shifting homeless man about the trials of his marriage. In "Blood and Water", a woman recalls how she left the village she grew up in - which was run by a New Age cult - in order to lead a fulfilling life, even against her parents' wishes. And in the title story, "Lizard", a woman who has never before felt truly secure in her life admits a deep secret to her lover - that she has the ability to heal others with her mind.
In different ways, these six stories explore what it takes to navigate the perils of the modern world as well as what it takes to reinvent one's self. Permeated by the author's own effervescent spin on magic realism, Lizard cements a special place for Yoshimoto in 20th-century Japanese fiction.
Publisher's Summary:
Banana Yoshimoto's warm, witty, and heartfelt depictions of the lives of young Japanese have earned her international acclaim and best seller status, as well as a place among the best of contemporary Japanese literature. In Lizard, now available in Grove Press paperback, Yoshimoto deftly fuses traditional and pop culture to create contemporary portraits of love and life. These six tales explore themes of time, healing, and fate - and the journeys of self-discovery through which young urbanites come to terms with them.
In "Newlywed", an unhappily married young man deliberately misses his stop on the train, only to be questioned by a shape-shifting homeless man about the trials of his marriage. In "Blood and Water", a woman recalls how she left the village she grew up in - which was run by a New Age cult - in order to lead a fulfilling life, even against her parents' wishes. And in the title story, "Lizard", a woman who has never before felt truly secure in her life admits a deep secret to her lover - that she has the ability to heal others with her mind.
In different ways, these six stories explore what it takes to navigate the perils of the modern world as well as what it takes to reinvent one's self. Permeated by the author's own effervescent spin on magic realism, Lizard cements a special place for Yoshimoto in 20th-century Japanese fiction.
carlynclark's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75