Scan barcode
dilchh's review against another edition
3.0
The book started on a good and heartwarming note with Murakami's introduction. His notes on his own birthday made me think about my own birthday, and maybe that was the point on why Murakami decides to made a collection of birthday themed short stories, he wanted the reader to reflect on their own birthdays. His introduction felt close to my heart, it was very personal especially for me who have never read any of his works apart from his fictional works, it's like getting a new glimpse of Murakami. On that note, I have high hopes on his selections.
Too be honest, some of the stories were sweet, although you can still taste the bitter sadness behind it all, but most are just downright weird and felt too pretentious. But I can't really complain about it, I don't even know a single author that were featured in this book before I picked this book up, safe to say I obviously don't know what I was bargaining into when I start these collection of short stories. Some notable short stories that I had enjoy were The Moor by Russell Banks, Timothy's Birthday by William Trevor, The Birthday Cake by Daniel Lyons, The Birthday Present by Andrea Lee, and of course Birthday Girl by Haruki Murakami himself.
On hindsight, I think Murakami was very spot on when he said that most of the stories are rarely happy, if not downright dark. It made me wonder about my previous birthdays also; although I always see my birthdays as the days worth celebrating (although by myself), it was rarely anything happy or warm. Why is it so? Murakami wonders about that, and, now, I wonder the same. But, this is where Murakami's own short story came into the picture as the closing story of the book. His short story was not necessarily happy, but it was definitely not dark nor sad. I think the story itself was more about being reflexive of one own's previous birthday, and the ominous ending obviously was a nice touch to end this book.
I actually got this book as a birthday gift from RAM on my 27th birthday last year, and I genuinely think this book is such a great gift for someone who would rather spend their birthday reading with a nice glass of their chosen drinks. But, maybe not for someone who can't really take some of the dark theme on the stories.
Too be honest, some of the stories were sweet, although you can still taste the bitter sadness behind it all, but most are just downright weird and felt too pretentious. But I can't really complain about it, I don't even know a single author that were featured in this book before I picked this book up, safe to say I obviously don't know what I was bargaining into when I start these collection of short stories. Some notable short stories that I had enjoy were The Moor by Russell Banks, Timothy's Birthday by William Trevor, The Birthday Cake by Daniel Lyons, The Birthday Present by Andrea Lee, and of course Birthday Girl by Haruki Murakami himself.
On hindsight, I think Murakami was very spot on when he said that most of the stories are rarely happy, if not downright dark. It made me wonder about my previous birthdays also; although I always see my birthdays as the days worth celebrating (although by myself), it was rarely anything happy or warm. Why is it so? Murakami wonders about that, and, now, I wonder the same. But, this is where Murakami's own short story came into the picture as the closing story of the book. His short story was not necessarily happy, but it was definitely not dark nor sad. I think the story itself was more about being reflexive of one own's previous birthday, and the ominous ending obviously was a nice touch to end this book.
I actually got this book as a birthday gift from RAM on my 27th birthday last year, and I genuinely think this book is such a great gift for someone who would rather spend their birthday reading with a nice glass of their chosen drinks. But, maybe not for someone who can't really take some of the dark theme on the stories.
samihami's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
I'm not a big fan of some of them and most fell flat for me. Though I do have favourites and I definitely enjoyed some too. I believe everyone will find their own in this collection. Rewfreshing concept which I enjoyed, just not every story was of my taste. But then again, that's kinda the point.
I found my own, I believe you will too.
I found my own, I believe you will too.
misterjay's review against another edition
3.0
Birthday Stories was a mediocre collection at best. I found some of the stories to be too dark for my tastes; the only story I truly enjoyed was the Murakami story "Birthday Girl" as it was about the only positive story in the collection.
Still, this is a good anthology for anyone interested in Literary Short Fiction, containing several seminal pieces by well-respected authors. Even though the stories were too dark for me, they are well-written, good stories, centered around the theme of birthdays.
This is a good second-hand buy for diehard fans of either short stories or of any of the authors represented within.
Still, this is a good anthology for anyone interested in Literary Short Fiction, containing several seminal pieces by well-respected authors. Even though the stories were too dark for me, they are well-written, good stories, centered around the theme of birthdays.
This is a good second-hand buy for diehard fans of either short stories or of any of the authors represented within.
samyukta_24's review against another edition
3.0
Out of the 13 birthday stories, including one by Murakami himself, I enjoyed more than half of them, whereas the rest were just meh, or too bizarre for me. I did love the different writing styles of all the authors, but none of the stories had a “happy” birthday feel about them. Most of them just dealt with the sadness of another year passing by. It was a little depressing... But Murakami’s short story “Birthday Girl” at the end managed to lift up my spirits a little.
My favorite story would have to be "Ride" by Lewis Robinson, which was quite funny but tinged with deep emotion as well.
All in all, It’s worth a one-time read.
My favorite story would have to be "Ride" by Lewis Robinson, which was quite funny but tinged with deep emotion as well.
All in all, It’s worth a one-time read.
riakul's review against another edition
3.0
I still don't think I know the best way to enjoy short stories. I often find myself wondering what was the point it all? And even after reading numerous theories online, I still don't find them lingering in my thoughts randomly nor I get a fascinating/thrilling escape.
This collection was enjoyable, the introductions by Murakami were quite helpful in guiding a short story noob like me. All the stories were well written, but as with most things in life, I enjoyed a few more than the rest. At the core of it all is a birthday. But what surrounds it is supremely diverse.
More details on this collection, yet to come.
This collection was enjoyable, the introductions by Murakami were quite helpful in guiding a short story noob like me. All the stories were well written, but as with most things in life, I enjoyed a few more than the rest. At the core of it all is a birthday. But what surrounds it is supremely diverse.
More details on this collection, yet to come.
_misanthropologist_'s review against another edition
3.0
I'm not sure whether short stories are simply not my thing or I've had a run of bad luck in picking my reads, but no collection other than Vonnegut's Welcome to the Monkey House seems to do it for me.
I wasn't exactly thrilled reading Birthday Stories. Not that they were particularly bad. They just failed to give me a reason to care. Most of them, at least. There were only two stories I would return to - the first one is Andrea Lee's Birthday Present, thanks to its unique and refreshing perspective. The second one would be Wallace's Forever Overhead, but that's no surprise really, since the man is a bloody genius (and I'm so thankful poor mortals like me who are not worthy of Infinite Jest can at least appreciate the shorter works).
Would I recommend this book? Nah, don't think so.
I wasn't exactly thrilled reading Birthday Stories. Not that they were particularly bad. They just failed to give me a reason to care. Most of them, at least. There were only two stories I would return to - the first one is Andrea Lee's Birthday Present, thanks to its unique and refreshing perspective. The second one would be Wallace's Forever Overhead, but that's no surprise really, since the man is a bloody genius (and I'm so thankful poor mortals like me who are not worthy of Infinite Jest can at least appreciate the shorter works).
Would I recommend this book? Nah, don't think so.
gimchi's review against another edition
3.0
Murakami's choice in short stories is far more dense and a bit depressing than I typically enjoy. Two stars. The best was the last, a story by Murakami himself, brings it up to 3 stars.
Also, it took me 2 years to read this?!?
Also, it took me 2 years to read this?!?