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gregtcohen's review
3.0
The subjects of shared and generational trauma - as well as of the almost illusory thin line between waking, dreaming and having passed - have fascinated me really since I read Murakami. So when I picked this up in the bookshop and saw it tackled exactly those themes, I couldn't leave without it.
The ten stories are charming in the gentle way that you may be used to from reading Japanese fiction. Characters are generally treated with a lot of sympathy despite their flaws, houses, towns, places and food are described in ways reminiscent of Murakami, and there's plenty within the stories about Japanese tradition to learn (the annual Obon festival was my favourite takeaway).
However, there's not too much subtlety in the way that the author deals with the overarching themes; it often feels like being bashed on the head with a blunt tool, rather than being drawn in with something a little more clever and incisive, which to me leaves the stories feeling a little flat and samey across the collection.
In short, I appreciate these stories for what they can tell me about Japan and being Japanese, and less for what they can say about the human condition or any particularly engaging plotlines.
The ten stories are charming in the gentle way that you may be used to from reading Japanese fiction. Characters are generally treated with a lot of sympathy despite their flaws, houses, towns, places and food are described in ways reminiscent of Murakami, and there's plenty within the stories about Japanese tradition to learn (the annual Obon festival was my favourite takeaway).
However, there's not too much subtlety in the way that the author deals with the overarching themes; it often feels like being bashed on the head with a blunt tool, rather than being drawn in with something a little more clever and incisive, which to me leaves the stories feeling a little flat and samey across the collection.
In short, I appreciate these stories for what they can tell me about Japan and being Japanese, and less for what they can say about the human condition or any particularly engaging plotlines.
emmaaadub's review
4.0
I loved the first 2 stories, but the last ones didn't stand out to me. I am definitely interested in reading more Japanese fiction and short stories though!
lilis_land's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Each story in Things Remembered and Things Forgotten explores past and present, our memories of those times and relationships both familial and romantic. There is so much to unpack with each story which is somewhat rare for a collection but Nakajima seems to achieve the impossible in providing a collection where every story is ‘a hit’ and none are ‘a miss’.
My personal favourite was “When My Wife Was a Shiitake” which felt like a warm hug even though it was about loss and the avoidance of experiencing grief.
If you’re a fan of magical realism and stories that play with past, present and memories then pick this one up.
My personal favourite was “When My Wife Was a Shiitake” which felt like a warm hug even though it was about loss and the avoidance of experiencing grief.
If you’re a fan of magical realism and stories that play with past, present and memories then pick this one up.
elenavarg's review
3.0
(2,5 stars)
In theory, I should’ve really liked this book, but either because of the author’s writing style or the translators way of translating, the stories didn’t interest me. Some of the stories played with interesting ideas, but none of them really stood out.
In theory, I should’ve really liked this book, but either because of the author’s writing style or the translators way of translating, the stories didn’t interest me. Some of the stories played with interesting ideas, but none of them really stood out.
ailbhereads's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.0
drey_yohann's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bananavc's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I cried over a sewing machine, yes. It's touching