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perazo's review against another edition
4.0
I loved how these classic Japanese folk tales (some whose origins are rather awful) were remade into their own with a feminist twist. That being said, some stories were stronger than others, and others that were connected didn’t flow enough for me, but I’m glad I read this!
kdund's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
belle_fiction's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Well this was certainly an interesting short story collection! I must say as with all short story collections there were some real gems in here but there were also a few which I didn't really like or get much from :(
The highlights for me included the following:
- The Peony Lanterns
- The Jealous Type
- Silently Burning
- A New Recruit
- Having a Blast
- The Missing One
All of these stories were singularly unique and fascinating, and I am definitely going to re-read these in the future. These were definitely the strongest ones and there was something very beautiful about 'Silently Burning' which is probably my favourite of the collection.
Some of the other stories in this book felt incomplete to me and ended rather abruptly which often left me wondering what the point of these stories were - two which come to mind are 'Loved One' and 'A Day Off'. They weren't very engaging nor did they make me 'feel' anything and so I was left somewhat disappointed especially when there are some incredibly good stories throughout.
I will say that Polly Burton has done a fantastic job in translating these stories and really made them come to life especially because these were originally written in Japanese. I definitely want to check out more of her translated fiction and will also keep an eye out for future books by Matsuda.
All in all this short story collection is well-worth a read - just don't expect them all to be gems and leave a profound impression on you.
Well this was certainly an interesting short story collection! I must say as with all short story collections there were some real gems in here but there were also a few which I didn't really like or get much from :(
The highlights for me included the following:
- The Peony Lanterns
- The Jealous Type
- Silently Burning
- A New Recruit
- Having a Blast
- The Missing One
All of these stories were singularly unique and fascinating, and I am definitely going to re-read these in the future. These were definitely the strongest ones and there was something very beautiful about 'Silently Burning' which is probably my favourite of the collection.
Some of the other stories in this book felt incomplete to me and ended rather abruptly which often left me wondering what the point of these stories were - two which come to mind are 'Loved One' and 'A Day Off'. They weren't very engaging nor did they make me 'feel' anything and so I was left somewhat disappointed especially when there are some incredibly good stories throughout.
I will say that Polly Burton has done a fantastic job in translating these stories and really made them come to life especially because these were originally written in Japanese. I definitely want to check out more of her translated fiction and will also keep an eye out for future books by Matsuda.
All in all this short story collection is well-worth a read - just don't expect them all to be gems and leave a profound impression on you.
mateusjobim's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
veronica214's review against another edition
4.0
What an interesting collection of short stories. These remind me a lot of Twilight Zone episodes! All the stories are loosely connected in some way. They generally center on women, emotions, and society's expectations of women. The stories are also based on Japanese folklore. I'm definitely intrigued and want to learn more about this aspect of Japanese culture!
I would recommend this to someone who wants to read quirky and unique short stories.
I would recommend this to someone who wants to read quirky and unique short stories.
bookswithleigh's review against another edition
I'm going to be leaving this collection unrated star-wise because I'm honestly not sure how to go about handling or reviewing it.
Where the Wild Ladies Are is a collection of folklore, kabuki, and other miscellaneous Japanese source material recrafted for the modern age. These stories are inspired by characters from what I must assume are beloved Japanese legends, and going into this novel I'd thought I knew enough about the context to read this without worry. I was wrong. Of all the legends this book sources, I was only familiar with the zashiki-warashi (and the kitsune, though they don't quite feature the way these other legends do) -- everything else was completely new to me, and to be honest, I felt that not having the context played a large role in my lack of enjoyment in the stories.
I can only assume that those with a deeper understanding of Japanese legends would really enjoy this book. I think that if the translator had put the context of the legends either before or after each tale, rather than at the conclusion of the book, it would have been better understood myself -- but by that same token, if I'd had a physical copy, I could have just flipped back and forth between them.
I was most intrigued by the stories revolving around Mr. Tei and the mysterious company he worked for that continued to pop up throughout the collection. Others, notsomuch. Overall, this collection was difficult to read, but I wouldn't discourage people from giving it a try themselves.
Star Rating: Unrated
✔ Quite a Catch - wherein the narrator fishes up a girlfriend from the river
✔ Where the Wild Ladies Are - wherein a young man realizes there's something strange about his new job
✔ Loved One - wherein the narrator finds incense that will allow her to see a requested loved one, and she chooses her cat
✔ The Missing One - wherein a woman is consumed with a plate that's missing from her collection and contacts the shipping company about the loss
Where the Wild Ladies Are is a collection of folklore, kabuki, and other miscellaneous Japanese source material recrafted for the modern age. These stories are inspired by characters from what I must assume are beloved Japanese legends, and going into this novel I'd thought I knew enough about the context to read this without worry. I was wrong. Of all the legends this book sources, I was only familiar with the zashiki-warashi (and the kitsune, though they don't quite feature the way these other legends do) -- everything else was completely new to me, and to be honest, I felt that not having the context played a large role in my lack of enjoyment in the stories.
I can only assume that those with a deeper understanding of Japanese legends would really enjoy this book. I think that if the translator had put the context of the legends either before or after each tale, rather than at the conclusion of the book, it would have been better understood myself -- but by that same token, if I'd had a physical copy, I could have just flipped back and forth between them.
I was most intrigued by the stories revolving around Mr. Tei and the mysterious company he worked for that continued to pop up throughout the collection. Others, notsomuch. Overall, this collection was difficult to read, but I wouldn't discourage people from giving it a try themselves.
Star Rating: Unrated
**STORIES OF NOTE**
✔ Quite a Catch - wherein the narrator fishes up a girlfriend from the river
✔ Where the Wild Ladies Are - wherein a young man realizes there's something strange about his new job
✔ Loved One - wherein the narrator finds incense that will allow her to see a requested loved one, and she chooses her cat
✔ The Missing One - wherein a woman is consumed with a plate that's missing from her collection and contacts the shipping company about the loss
bibliorey's review against another edition
4.0
where the wild ladies are compiles the traditional japanese horror stories with a feminist twist that will send chills down your bones while also make you laugh at how similar you find yourself to be to the narrator of the stories (or perhaps only i felt so at least).
though i am quite unfamiliar with the tales of traditional japanese horror, i still find myself enjoying some of the short stories in the book as aoko matsuda offers such an atmospheric writing through each and every one of her stories which was made even more beautiful by polly barton’s amazing translation.
this collection of short stories combines the elements of horror with the modern society so seamlessly. however, i find myself unable to “click” with some of the stories. perhaps my lack of knowledge affected my understanding of what the initial stories were all about but overall, i did have a good time reading it as i find myself within some of the stories such as smartening up, my superpower and the jealous type (i guess this one is pretty self-explanatory).
it’s not quite as unhinged as say, the works of sayaka murata, but i think her fans and/or if you’re simply a fan of the horror genre then you would appreciate this fresh retelling by aoko matsuda.
my gratitude goes out to definitely books by pansing as always for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
though i am quite unfamiliar with the tales of traditional japanese horror, i still find myself enjoying some of the short stories in the book as aoko matsuda offers such an atmospheric writing through each and every one of her stories which was made even more beautiful by polly barton’s amazing translation.
this collection of short stories combines the elements of horror with the modern society so seamlessly. however, i find myself unable to “click” with some of the stories. perhaps my lack of knowledge affected my understanding of what the initial stories were all about but overall, i did have a good time reading it as i find myself within some of the stories such as smartening up, my superpower and the jealous type (i guess this one is pretty self-explanatory).
it’s not quite as unhinged as say, the works of sayaka murata, but i think her fans and/or if you’re simply a fan of the horror genre then you would appreciate this fresh retelling by aoko matsuda.
my gratitude goes out to definitely books by pansing as always for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review