Very well-written and the translator has clearly done a fantastic job. Long sentences of multiple pages flow smoothly, allowing - just as in real lifeVery well-written and the translator has clearly done a fantastic job. Long sentences of multiple pages flow smoothly, allowing - just as in real life - for thoughts to come and go, for memories to surface and disappear before returning to the original train of thought.
That being said, it was admiration more than emotion I felt. I was really involved and even felt uncomfortable being in the head of a person mulling the most mundane things over and over... It also did not feel particularly innovative, but I see this was written 25 years ago, so back then it may have been very refreshing. I have also been in the mood for more outward-looking themes or content-based novels for some months now.
Anyway, surely this will appeal to many.
Many thanks to Fitzcarraldo for an ARC via Netgalley!...more
"Looking back now, I see that, from start to finish, this case was only ever a matter of train and plane timetables. The answers all lay buried within"Looking back now, I see that, from start to finish, this case was only ever a matter of train and plane timetables. The answers all lay buried within them."
1950s Japan, a couple is found dead on a beach. It looks like double suicide. The man is a high official at Ministry X, embroiled in a corruption scandal. The woman is a waitress at a restaurant where business man and supplier of the Ministry, Mr Yasuda, is a regular. But is it suicide? Or is Yasuda somehow connected?
A pretty straightforward detective novel with a pleasant calm tone and pace, and an increasingly intricate plot build on the departure and arrival times of trains. The continuous criss-crossing of Japan certainly added to the atmosphere.
I wouldn't go so far as to call this a literary thriller, but it is definitely intriguing and well done. 3,5...more
Some people call this book soothing, but I found it a bit boring to be honest... Characters are rather flat, the plot is predictable. Not all literatuSome people call this book soothing, but I found it a bit boring to be honest... Characters are rather flat, the plot is predictable. Not all literature has to be innovative, but I need at least some stimulation. It did not help that I am not particularly fascinated by the lumber and logging industry....more
Not too impressed to be honest. I think what the book did well was highlight the shame that victims of bullying feel, even towards other victims. But Not too impressed to be honest. I think what the book did well was highlight the shame that victims of bullying feel, even towards other victims. But I found the various conversations between the main characters a bit predictable and their philosophies thin and unconvincing. I also have a deep dislike of the nihilist world view that one of the bullies, Momose, adheres to and I doubt whether 14-year-olds think things through to such an extent (I know I didn’t at that age). He very much reminded me of the bunch of cruel little idiots in Mishima’s ‘The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea’ that I struggled with earlier this year – so maybe it is a real problem in Japan, but to me it was little credible.
This was my first book by Junichiro Tanizaki, one of the great Japanese authors of the 20th century. I thought a collection of three short stories couThis was my first book by Junichiro Tanizaki, one of the great Japanese authors of the 20th century. I thought a collection of three short stories could be a good place to start, especially given they explore themes Tanizaki would go on to develop in his future work. And it was.
First story: 2,5 stars Second: 4 stars Third: 4 stars Average: 3,5 rounded up to 4.
The first story is much more dreamlike than the other two, a child wandering around in a strange dark landscape looking for his mother - I did not connect at all and was ready to give up on the book altogether.
The second story is very realistic, about a pretty horrible student mistreating his family and fellow students. Very well build-up.
The third story is about an unhappy mother who changes after her eldest son marries. Also a very intriguing read.
As often with classical authors, the afterword by the translator has real added value. It places the stories in the historical context (e.g. Meiji period) and highlights the cultural references (e.g. honouring Confucian principles) hidden in the text. I am sure that the better one is versed in Japanese history and culture the more they will enjoy this collection. But even for a complete layman as myself it was interesting.
If Honor, Glory, Masculinity and Nationalism are important values in your life, I can warmly recommend this novel. If not (as is the case for me) therIf Honor, Glory, Masculinity and Nationalism are important values in your life, I can warmly recommend this novel. If not (as is the case for me) there is precious little to enjoy. I intended to give it one star, but after reading some analysis of the novel on the internet it appeared I missed a lot of the symbolism in this allegoric tale, so three stars for the effort... But I fear this was my first and last Mishima, no matter how spectacular his suicide. ...more
Quite a sweet little story. If you have two hours to spare and want to be transported to suburban Japan through the eyes of a high school kid, then I Quite a sweet little story. If you have two hours to spare and want to be transported to suburban Japan through the eyes of a high school kid, then I would certainly recommend it. ...more
It was nice to spend the Christmas holidays with a classical Murakami, but I was less intrigued by this one than by his early bookGood but not great.
It was nice to spend the Christmas holidays with a classical Murakami, but I was less intrigued by this one than by his early books (in particular Dance, Dance, Dance and Wind-up Bird). Maybe it is becoming repetitive, maybe the book could have been shorter? Still, even a not-top Murakami is worth 4 stars!...more
Good fun, but also quite an interesting way of questioning what we think of as 'normal'.Good fun, but also quite an interesting way of questioning what we think of as 'normal'....more
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