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tonyzale 's review for:
Night on the Galactic Railroad & Other Stories from Ihatov
by Kenji Miyazawa
These 3 Kenji Miyazawa short stories read like traditional fables infused with a helping of early 20th century technology. Lead characters are challenged by mundane cruelties and their problems aren’t solved as much as they are endured. Peace and dignity is the reward for the perserverance.
“The Nighthawk Star” is the most traditional of the collection, the story of a bird who decides to fly away to the stars after being bullied by a hawk. The bird is initially rejected for starhood for lack of grace and money, an example of Miyazawa’s quiet humor.
“Signal and Signal-less” explore Miyazawa’s fascination with railroads, and its anthropomorphic train signals in courtship vaguely reminded me of the world of Thomas the Tank Engine. A crass utility pole threatens the budding romance, leaving the signals to appeal to a strange mix of Catholic saints, Thomas Edison, and railway pioneer George Stephenson. In the end, a kindly warehouse offers guidance that leads to a moment of clarity.
“Night on the Galactic Railroad” is a deeper, dreamlike tale about a troubled boy riding a train from earth to the heavens and back. Giovanni’s errand to retrieve milk for his sick mother somehow finds him on a train to the heavens and back. Strange encounters during the journey influence his notions of happiness and the meaning of life and death.
“The Nighthawk Star” is the most traditional of the collection, the story of a bird who decides to fly away to the stars after being bullied by a hawk. The bird is initially rejected for starhood for lack of grace and money, an example of Miyazawa’s quiet humor.
“Signal and Signal-less” explore Miyazawa’s fascination with railroads, and its anthropomorphic train signals in courtship vaguely reminded me of the world of Thomas the Tank Engine. A crass utility pole threatens the budding romance, leaving the signals to appeal to a strange mix of Catholic saints, Thomas Edison, and railway pioneer George Stephenson. In the end, a kindly warehouse offers guidance that leads to a moment of clarity.
“Night on the Galactic Railroad” is a deeper, dreamlike tale about a troubled boy riding a train from earth to the heavens and back. Giovanni’s errand to retrieve milk for his sick mother somehow finds him on a train to the heavens and back. Strange encounters during the journey influence his notions of happiness and the meaning of life and death.