Scan barcode
transficthonnomushi's reviews
113 reviews
Bullet Train by Kōtarō Isaka
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Lady Joker, Volume 1 by Kaoru Takamura
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
The Crab Cannery Ship by Takiji Kobayashi
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Originally #thecanneryboat, not better known as #thecrabcanneryship and other short stories. Written by #takijikobayashi and others.
This was published in 1933, and I had the pleasure of reading the original book online. Each story is steeped in communist and Marxism which I really liked. My political knowledge is minimal so to learn via these stories was great. That said many are very sad and no doubt semi autobiographical.
If you fancy reading some excellent old Japanese translated fiction/non-fiction I would recommend this, especially if you enjoy the political elements like I did. I feel like it had opened up a new genre of sorts for me too which is great.
The final part talks about Kobayashi's murder and I am keen to learn more about his and other's fight.
#honnomushi100 #reading #japanesefiction #translatedfiction #translatedjapaneseliterature #bookstagram #japaneseliterature #japanesetranslatedfiction #japaneseauthor #japaneseauthors #politics #communism #capitalism #marxism #japanesehistory
This was published in 1933, and I had the pleasure of reading the original book online. Each story is steeped in communist and Marxism which I really liked. My political knowledge is minimal so to learn via these stories was great. That said many are very sad and no doubt semi autobiographical.
If you fancy reading some excellent old Japanese translated fiction/non-fiction I would recommend this, especially if you enjoy the political elements like I did. I feel like it had opened up a new genre of sorts for me too which is great.
The final part talks about Kobayashi's murder and I am keen to learn more about his and other's fight.
#honnomushi100 #reading #japanesefiction #translatedfiction #translatedjapaneseliterature #bookstagram #japaneseliterature #japanesetranslatedfiction #japaneseauthor #japaneseauthors #politics #communism #capitalism #marxism #japanesehistory
The Great Passage by Shion Miura
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
After reading the Kamusari tales, both of them, I found a writer in #shionmiura that I love. The way she narrates her stories and the characters is beautiful. #thegreatpassage is the best I have read so far. On the face of it, a story about the evolution of a new dictionary and its contents should be heavy and maybe too technical for the layperson. Not in the slightest, I was hooked from the start and can still see words, pages and paper flying about my mind! The characters and their individual journeys were all tied to the new dictionary one way or another and it added so much to the story. Anyone that looks books, literature and maybe the process from concept to fruition should give this book a read. This is one of my books of the year already, I can feel it. Absolutely loved it.
Territory of Light by Yūko Tsushima
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Shipwrecks by Akira Yoshimura
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
At the Edge of the Woods by Masatsugu Ono
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Thank you to @two_lines_press for this #arc of #masatsuguono novel #attheedgeofthewoods translated by #julietwinterscarpenter
This book is a reprint, previously being released by @strangerspress as part of thier #keshiki series. This new design is just beautiful! Out 12th April 2022.
A short novel with only 184 pages, is so rich and deep it felt so much longer, in a good way.
A saw a review comparing it to #1q84, I would disagree, it felt more like #untoldnightandday By @baesuah. It reads like a journal in parts, but more of a dream record interwoven with life. Each passage starts normal enough and is then engulfed with fantasy and imagination.
The story plots a small family going through the regular changes of having a baby, but the woods nearby is where the real story blossoms. Ono writes like a poet, I can imagine many readers highlighting and annoting each and every line, it's beautiful.
If you like dream like sequences, seasons, nature and pure fantastical indulgence then give this a read. It's short but leaves its mark.
#books2022 #honnomushi100 #reading #japanesefiction #translatedfiction #japaneseauthors #japaneseliterature #japaneseauthor #japaninjanuary #translatedgems
This book is a reprint, previously being released by @strangerspress as part of thier #keshiki series. This new design is just beautiful! Out 12th April 2022.
A short novel with only 184 pages, is so rich and deep it felt so much longer, in a good way.
A saw a review comparing it to #1q84, I would disagree, it felt more like #untoldnightandday By @baesuah. It reads like a journal in parts, but more of a dream record interwoven with life. Each passage starts normal enough and is then engulfed with fantasy and imagination.
The story plots a small family going through the regular changes of having a baby, but the woods nearby is where the real story blossoms. Ono writes like a poet, I can imagine many readers highlighting and annoting each and every line, it's beautiful.
If you like dream like sequences, seasons, nature and pure fantastical indulgence then give this a read. It's short but leaves its mark.
#books2022 #honnomushi100 #reading #japanesefiction #translatedfiction #japaneseauthors #japaneseliterature #japaneseauthor #japaninjanuary #translatedgems
Silent Parade by Keigo Higashino
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
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? No
5.0
OK, right how do I do this justice!?
#thedevotionofsuspectx was amazing, as was #salvationofasaint for similar reasons. You knew the killer or the person willing to the fall but didn't know the crucial how or the why. #amidsummersequation took us out of central Japan and really shook things up. #silentparade starts off by setting up an incredible 20 year backstory. There are links, connections and clues all over the place (in a good way). Without spoiling the story, you think you know where it is going in terms of who, why and eventually the how......and then boom!!! #keigohigashino does it again and totally rocks your world....... And then adds another twist to finish you off. I worried reading this book that it might taint my love of the #detectivegalileo series but I think this is maybe the best out of all 4 in my opinion.
The scene, the history, the characters and the complexities surrounding the plot are nothing short of outstanding. I wont go into lots of detail for fear of giving things away but if you love mystery, puzzles and Higashino at his finest you don't be dissapointed. Also a huge shout out to #gilesmurray who translated this masterpiece, my question is, how!? It's so complicated, thank you!
In summary I loved this so so much and am now moving onto other books by Higashino, probably #detectivekaga #detectivekagaseries as a new book is out later this year!
#thedevotionofsuspectx was amazing, as was #salvationofasaint for similar reasons. You knew the killer or the person willing to the fall but didn't know the crucial how or the why. #amidsummersequation took us out of central Japan and really shook things up. #silentparade starts off by setting up an incredible 20 year backstory. There are links, connections and clues all over the place (in a good way). Without spoiling the story, you think you know where it is going in terms of who, why and eventually the how......and then boom!!! #keigohigashino does it again and totally rocks your world....... And then adds another twist to finish you off. I worried reading this book that it might taint my love of the #detectivegalileo series but I think this is maybe the best out of all 4 in my opinion.
The scene, the history, the characters and the complexities surrounding the plot are nothing short of outstanding. I wont go into lots of detail for fear of giving things away but if you love mystery, puzzles and Higashino at his finest you don't be dissapointed. Also a huge shout out to #gilesmurray who translated this masterpiece, my question is, how!? It's so complicated, thank you!
In summary I loved this so so much and am now moving onto other books by Higashino, probably #detectivekaga #detectivekagaseries as a new book is out later this year!
There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job by Kikuko Tsumura
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is just brilliant, it tells the tale of the various jobs the female lead undertakes after leaving her job of 14 years after burn out. In terms of subjects it shouldn't be as interesting and engaging as it is! But it's brilliant! #Tsumura really draws out the hidden psychological elements to even the supposedly simplest or basic of roles. The ending brought it together really well and in a sense, for me, it kind of made sense why the female lead did really well in each role but ultimately ended up leaving for various reasons. The jobs were vastly different and gave such an insight into the role itself but crucially how you may approach that role, make it interest and how you can tread the tightrope of trying to enjoy your job but not be overwhelmed or overworked by it, such a huge issue in today's world.
Polly Barton's translation is excellent and the book is so quirky and funny. At 399 pages it looks quite long but as each role takes up a chapter it is broken down nicely.
Loved it, what a start to 2022!
Polly Barton's translation is excellent and the book is so quirky and funny. At 399 pages it looks quite long but as each role takes up a chapter it is broken down nicely.
Loved it, what a start to 2022!