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videogames1000's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mysafe_place's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The rating I gave to this book is not directly accurate I have to confess as I am not certain how I should feel about it. Certainly, it made me think quite a lot, rethink my own perceptions and question just how or to what extent society contributes to me finding the meaning of my life (if it does influence that search at all or whether that is a good thing or a bad thing, as long as you can individualise it). The author does have a very unique writting style which I surprisingly liked more than I expected. The objectivity allowed me to have that thinking process and to form any kind of unbiased opinion on the uttered thoughts put out here.
"Why did this one have to be born - to come into the world like all the others, this world so full of suffering?", is it really so that in the end we will come back to this: "(...)he often thought of the peace that death would give him (us)."?
"Why did this one have to be born - to come into the world like all the others, this world so full of suffering?", is it really so that in the end we will come back to this: "(...)he often thought of the peace that death would give him (us)."?
sofiamey's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dina_kost's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
meeranair_54's review against another edition
2.0
With 3 titles in this Penguin Little Black Classic, two of which are autobiographical, the author captures fleeting glimpses of the human experience.
I haven’t read many stories by Japanese authors so I thought perhaps this could be a taste-tester of sorts. I’m not sure I’m the right audience for it because although these short stories have some essence in them, I felt lost after having read the book, especially the last story.
In a Bamboo Grove, being the first story, engaged me well. It explores the mystery behind a man’s death through the testimonies of various witnesses. I found that to be an interesting approach considering how this technique is often used in novels to piece the puzzle. But here, it doesn’t particularly lead to anything except for varying anecdotes of the same event.
The next two titles, Death Register and The Life of a Stupid Man are both split into several parts. While I like the way it’s narrated with clarity in terms of the narrator’s thoughts, beliefs, and experiences, I just wish the writing wasn’t as disjointed.
On the whole, I wouldn’t recommend this to you unless you don’t mind reading abstract, lingering passages.
I haven’t read many stories by Japanese authors so I thought perhaps this could be a taste-tester of sorts. I’m not sure I’m the right audience for it because although these short stories have some essence in them, I felt lost after having read the book, especially the last story.
In a Bamboo Grove, being the first story, engaged me well. It explores the mystery behind a man’s death through the testimonies of various witnesses. I found that to be an interesting approach considering how this technique is often used in novels to piece the puzzle. But here, it doesn’t particularly lead to anything except for varying anecdotes of the same event.
The next two titles, Death Register and The Life of a Stupid Man are both split into several parts. While I like the way it’s narrated with clarity in terms of the narrator’s thoughts, beliefs, and experiences, I just wish the writing wasn’t as disjointed.
On the whole, I wouldn’t recommend this to you unless you don’t mind reading abstract, lingering passages.