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belle_fiction's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
One of my favourite chapbooks from the collection.
One of my favourite chapbooks from the collection.
dylankakoulli's review against another edition
2.0
Up next in the Keshiki series we have “Friendship For Grown-Ups” by Nao-Cola Yamazaki (and brilliantly translated by Polly Barton I might add).
Comprised of three short stories -each of which surreally and sparsely written, sketches both the brief and major moments of a persons life. Highlighting the ways in which we continuously evolve (quite literally in th case of the opening story) through different phases, people and places, throughout our lives.
This was certainly an interesting premise. I just wish it “flowed” better -narratively speaking.
2.5 stars
Comprised of three short stories -each of which surreally and sparsely written, sketches both the brief and major moments of a persons life. Highlighting the ways in which we continuously evolve (quite literally in th case of the opening story) through different phases, people and places, throughout our lives.
This was certainly an interesting premise. I just wish it “flowed” better -narratively speaking.
2.5 stars
jakeyjake's review against another edition
First story has amoebas and dinos and makes it all the way to contemporary Japan. Second story is a woman visiting their old apartment with her ex. Third is that couple’s writer friend attempting to get close with a musical composer. Loosely connected. untheatrical. Introspective. A gem of a chapbook.
folly_problem's review against another edition
5.0
A short but satisfying collection of loosely linked stories.
The theme, is any seems to be that of changes, even if they aren't fully acknowledged. A rock suddenly becomes life, an author struggles with the fact that people judge her by her books and not just her character, and another comes to terms with a past boyfriend, and the destruction of their former home.
For a colleciton preoccupied with incompatible dualities, it does not seem focused on conflict or distress. Instead the calm, bemused regarding of reality wins out. And there is no tendency to solutions, simply reminders of how life and our sense of it can be contradictory. And that is fine.
I, for one, found that immensely satisfying.
The theme, is any seems to be that of changes, even if they aren't fully acknowledged. A rock suddenly becomes life, an author struggles with the fact that people judge her by her books and not just her character, and another comes to terms with a past boyfriend, and the destruction of their former home.
For a colleciton preoccupied with incompatible dualities, it does not seem focused on conflict or distress. Instead the calm, bemused regarding of reality wins out. And there is no tendency to solutions, simply reminders of how life and our sense of it can be contradictory. And that is fine.
I, for one, found that immensely satisfying.
aqilahreads's review against another edition
3.0
FRIENDSHIP FOR GROWN UPS is the second book of the keshiki series by strangers press which aims to showcase contempory writers based in japan today.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. containing 3 really short stories that are interlinked with one another, this is quite an interesting reading experience overall but i was hoping that there was just more to it in terms of memorability. the first story was pretty weird ((but not surprising when it comes to japlit)) that focuses on a whimsical genealogy that leads to a woman, kadagawa, who turns out to be at the centre of the second story. and as for the third story, it focuses more on kadagawa's friend and her failed relationship with her boyfriend.
i guess it somehow generally lies in the theme of "friend" even though i was not too sure of the intention of the stories after reading it. it was much later that i found out that the author did not want her books to be something where people read them like essays but she wanted them to be looked at just as pieces of art, like music or paintings.
i really appreciate the publisher for honouring the author's view of literature as i felt that the book was really well put together omg the design is
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. containing 3 really short stories that are interlinked with one another, this is quite an interesting reading experience overall but i was hoping that there was just more to it in terms of memorability. the first story was pretty weird ((but not surprising when it comes to japlit)) that focuses on a whimsical genealogy that leads to a woman, kadagawa, who turns out to be at the centre of the second story. and as for the third story, it focuses more on kadagawa's friend and her failed relationship with her boyfriend.
i guess it somehow generally lies in the theme of "friend" even though i was not too sure of the intention of the stories after reading it. it was much later that i found out that the author did not want her books to be something where people read them like essays but she wanted them to be looked at just as pieces of art, like music or paintings.
i really appreciate the publisher for honouring the author's view of literature as i felt that the book was really well put together omg the design is
graceve's review
emotional
reflective
relaxing
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? No
3.5
katjuschaahl72's review
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
qomareads's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this collection of short stories. It linked to each other I must say. It resonates with the title of course. Hoping to read more of this author, but what can I say Polly Barton definitely great with the translation.
zhy's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
whitedahlias's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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