I am no art person so I have no idea how to exactly describe the art style of the sibling duo, Nishioka Kyoudai, in their graphic adaptation of Kafka.I am no art person so I have no idea how to exactly describe the art style of the sibling duo, Nishioka Kyoudai, in their graphic adaptation of Kafka. However, I do know that it perfectly captures the Kafkaesque vibe and gives me the same bleak, eerie and strange feelings as Franz Kafka’s original stories.
I enjoyed all nine stories in this collection but if I have to choose my favourites, they would be:
1. A Hunger Artist (bro…) 2. In the Penal Colony (BRO…) 3. The Metamorphosis (duh, of course) 4. The Concerns of a Patriarch (this genuinely creeps me out) 5. A Country Doctor (very confused at first but after reading the discussion and interpretation of the story…crying, shaking and throwing up)
I appreciate how this collection stays true to the original storyline, complementing it by bringing just the right amount of new dimensions without overshadowing the original work. This collection also introduces me to his lesser-known works such as A Fratricide, Jackals and Arabs, The Vulture and The Bucket Knight, which I immensely enjoyed. As this was my first official foray into Franz Kafka's work, I decided to read the original work alongside the graphic adaptation, and this approach significantly enhanced my enjoyment and understanding of these stories.
Thank you Pansing Distribution for the gifted copy. I appreciate it....more
The Woman in the Dunes made me uncomfortable as hell. And clammy, and parched. A profound sense of discomfort permeates the pages, as if grains of sanThe Woman in the Dunes made me uncomfortable as hell. And clammy, and parched. A profound sense of discomfort permeates the pages, as if grains of sand have infiltrated my mouth and clung stubbornly to my skin. I feel like I need a good, long shower after finishing it.
Part horror and part existential, The Woman in the Dunes by Kobo Abe narrates the journey of Niki Jumpei, an insect enthusiast who travels to a desert and finds himself trapped by the villagers in a dilapidated house, nestled within a steep-sided sand pit. What begins as a fun adventure quickly descends into a claustrophobic nightmare as Niki Jumpei is tasked to shovel away the ever-encroaching sand. Or death awaits him.
“A tower of illusion, all of it, made of illusory bricks and full of holes.”
The plot seems straightforward enough, but really this is a bleak novel of existential introspection, urging us to acknowledge the monotony of our existence, bound by the chains of labor and capitalism. It also paints a compelling portrait of resisting modernity, or more accurately, being forsaken by it, akin to the fate of the villagers in the story.
And so, they become complacent enough. And they don’t feel the need to break free from the sand. After all, how can people be drawn to the notion of freedom if they have never truly experienced its embrace — and yet, is it fair to fault them if they opt for this kind of life?...more
I was very surprised at how sad and bleak this book was. The book opens with a scene of Amiko, who is now living with her grandmothFirst read of 2024.
I was very surprised at how sad and bleak this book was. The book opens with a scene of Amiko, who is now living with her grandmother, as she gathers wild violets to gift to her dear friend, little Saki. With this tender opening, I was expecting the story to be completely joyful but I ended up finishing the last page with a very heavy heart.
This is Amiko, Do You Copy feels like a mesh of Sayaka Murata’s Convenience Store Woman and Won-Pyung Sohn’s Almond with its quiet exploration of living as an outlier within an indifferent and unsympathetic society. Amiko, the protagonist of the story, is slightly odd. She sings in the middle of class, walks around barefoot at school and eats with her hands. Due to her eccentricities, the people around Amiko struggle to carve out a space for her. She is often bullied and humiliated. Her brother avoids being seen with her at school, and she is largely ignored at home. What makes the story even more heartbreaking is Amiko doesn’t even comprehend why she was being ridiculed, or why her actions seem to make people around her upset. And although she doesn’t fully grasp her situation, the loss and isolation she experience as a child greatly affected her physical and psychological health.
Although heartbreak is very evident throughout the story, there is also a lot of heart and humour to be found here. Amiko is incredibly funny, endearing and deserved to be loved wholeheartedly. I just wanted to hug her, grab the other walkie-talkie and say to her: “Yes, Amiko. I copy that.”
Many thanks to Pansing Distribution for the gifted copy. I appreciate it....more
Each of the young adults in People Who Talk (…) grapples with their identities, while trying to make sense of the world around them, one that is marreEach of the young adults in People Who Talk (…) grapples with their identities, while trying to make sense of the world around them, one that is marred by hatred of women and pressure to conform. Some of them prefer to comply with the norms, but others seek to escape them by talking to stuffed animals or purified water, or hiding under a bath towel. One of them even went so far as to befriend four imaginary friends and introduce them to his family. But as much as they try to resist the society, they also have a tendency to placate others and put on a happy front which ultimately costs them mentally and emotionally.
The collection may sound depressing, yet there is a simplicity and tenderness in the author’s writing that inspires hope for a kinder and gentler society in the future....more
Here’s another charming, delightful read that transported me to the Jimbocho district in Tokyo, famously dubbed the City of Books for the nearly 200 sHere’s another charming, delightful read that transported me to the Jimbocho district in Tokyo, famously dubbed the City of Books for the nearly 200 secondhand bookstores in the neighbourhood. Following her breakup, Takako hesitantly agrees to help her eccentric uncle at the Morisaki bookshop. There are problems though: Firstly, she doesn’t even like reading and secondly, she doesn’t quite like her uncle, who is notorious for causing trouble in the family.
However, as she becomes immersed in the world of books, Takao discovers the joy of reading and its unexpected power to heal wounds. Along the way, she also uncovers hidden depths within her uncle, and realising there’s more to him than meets the eye. Despite being only 150 pages long, this book left me wishing to dwell within its pages forever. It whisked you away to a quiet backstreet in Jimbocho filled with hundreds of second hand bookshops which served as a vibrant cultural and educational centre, cherished by both readers and writers since the Meiji era. And let’s not forget the coffee shops too. And the occasional literary references made me appreciate the book even more.
Short and lighthearted, this is a perfect palate cleanser of a book. It is exactly what I needed.
Thank you Pansing Distribution for the gifted copy. I appreciate it....more
Reading works that heavily drawn from Ozamu Dazai’s own life wasn’t easy, especially if you were aware of how it was going to end. It was just achinglReading works that heavily drawn from Ozamu Dazai’s own life wasn’t easy, especially if you were aware of how it was going to end. It was just achingly, desperately sad. Ever since he was a child, Yozo Oba knew he was different. He was constantly in the state of deep apprehension with how to get along and interact with people since he had a difficult time understanding their action and behavior. That was until he found a way to mask his agitation, by becoming a clown, a jester: “I shall be nothing, the wind, the sky.”
Through the eyes of the narrator, Osamu Dazai ventures into the sense of confusion, disorientation, helplessness and desperation that someone suffers from a mental illness could experience. It wasn’t easy, especially when the narrator’s life is compounded by neglect, childhood trauma and high expectations that come with being born into an aristocrat family. In viewing humanity, he remarks that we are all a bunch of clowns. A complete farce. No one says what they really mean. We hate feeling scared and vulnerable. We lie and we cause harm. "Human beings never submit to human beings." It makes sense then why humanity is so incomprehensible to Yozo Oba, why he is so afraid of human beings. I totally understand why he feels like a reject, the Other and a madman, even.
Maybe Yozo Oba was correct. Maybe we are all a bunch of clowns....more
Reading works that heavily drawn from Ozamu Dazai’s own life wasn’t easy, especially if you were aware of how it was going to end. It was just achinglReading works that heavily drawn from Ozamu Dazai’s own life wasn’t easy, especially if you were aware of how it was going to end. It was just achingly, desperately sad. Ever since he was a child, Yozo Oba knew he was different. He was constantly in the state of deep apprehension with how to get along and interact with people since he had a difficult time understanding their action and behavior. That was until he found a way to mask his agitation, by becoming a clown, a jester: “I shall be nothing, the wind, the sky.”
Through the eyes of the narrator, Osamu Dazai ventures into the sense of confusion, disorientation, helplessness and desperation that someone suffers from a mental illness could experience. It wasn’t easy, especially when the narrator’s life is compounded by neglect, childhood trauma and high expectations that come with being born into an aristocrat family. In viewing humanity, he remarks that we are all a bunch of clowns. A complete farce. No one says what they really mean. We hate feeling scared and vulnerable. We lie and we cause harm. "Human beings never submit to human beings." It makes sense then why humanity is so incomprehensible to Yozo Oba, why he is so afraid of human beings. I totally understand why he feels like a reject, the Other and a madman, even.
Maybe Yozo Oba was correct. Maybe we are all a bunch of clowns....more
As someone who has zero knowledge about piano and classical music, I’m absolutely pleased to have come across this absolutely vibrant and emotive storAs someone who has zero knowledge about piano and classical music, I’m absolutely pleased to have come across this absolutely vibrant and emotive story by Riku Onda. Set during a prestigious piano competition in a small coastal town, Honeybees and Distant Thunder centers around four individuals as they embark on a journey of self-exploration via their shared love and passion for the piano and classical music.
What the blurb said was true: This is beyond a reading experience and it felt like some sixth sense was at work. Honeybees and Distant Thunder is about music, and everything that comes with it. Notes, chords, sounds. And to write and describe them with nuances and varied interpretations in such a way that readers can hear and visualize them is no easy feat. But Riku Onda and Philip Gabriel did it, and they did it excellently. The mastery and precision with which they employed to describe the musical pieces and their emotional impact really astounded and impressed me. It felt like I was actually there in the concert hall, listening to the nimble and vibrant notes of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto and immersing myself in the soft and gentle melody of Chopin’s Ballade. This novel has just reaffirmed how magical and powerful words are. They have the ability to make you feel, and even hear things. Just have a look at this description, for example:
“The cadenza that Jin Kazama spun out was cruel and brutal to an absurd degree. The frightening, clamorous tremolos stabbed you right in the chest, and were painful to listen to. A shrill scream, a low rumbling, a raging wind. An openly threatening, irresistible menace…Takashi realized he was barely breathing. This was Ashura indeed.”
In addition, Riku Onda did such an amazing job of exploring the distinction between genius vs ordinary pianists: Is the latter inferior to the former? The author also illustrated that the classical music world isn’t as elegant as we might think. It’s a cut-throat and terrifying industry, and unless you come from a wealthy household, it would be difficult to begin and continue playing. There was also the housing situation in Japan and the cost of maintaining the instrument. I also admired how the author presents the dilemma between preserving the original intention of the composer vs free interpretation by the new pianists.
Ultimately, Honeybees and Distant Thunder is a story that could be described as a love letter to music and nature. Passion, resilience, self-discovery, friendship and expectation also blooms across the narrative. As someone who knows nothing about this particular world, I’m surprised that I really enjoyed it and I learned a great deal from this novel. Thank you Times Read for the gifted copy. I really appreciate it. ...more
Before we start, can we just take a second to appreciate the cover design by Anna Morrison? I mean *inserts heart eyes*
This was my second encounter wiBefore we start, can we just take a second to appreciate the cover design by Anna Morrison? I mean *inserts heart eyes*
This was my second encounter with Detective Kindaichi and he is just as delightful as ever. Set in Gokumon Island which literally means Hell’s Gate Island, Kosuke Kindaichi found himself tangled with the murders of three sisters after he brought the news that their brother had died in a war. Things become complicated when Kindaichi himself falls under suspicion due to the islanders’ distrust of outsiders.
To be honest, there was nothing genre-shattering here, but there’s definitely plenty to enjoy. One aspect that I liked most about this novel was how atmospheric it is. The setting has an ominous, unsettling vibe to it since the island was formerly a place of exile for criminals and a stronghold for pirates…which made the islanders the descendants of pirates and exiled prisoners. And the islanders…well, they certainly are not normal. We have a lunatic father who is imprisoned in the house, daughters who treat their own father as if he was some kind of an animal in a zoo, a priest with a habit of reciting haikus at the oddest times, a lady branded as a witch, a group of poetry and parody enthusiasts and many other characters with strange behaviours. Although I was right to suspect that *one* character, the motive and the motivation for the killings did boggle my mind. It seemed less like a motive, but rather an obsession and influence one wielded over the islanders…which made everything much more unnerving than it initially appeared to be.
To conclude, I really enjoyed this one. The pace is excellent without any mendearing and the translation flowed very smoothly. I also appreciated the incorporation of Japanese art, poetry and history into the story. Already looking forward to reading more of his works.
Thank you Pansing Distribution for the review copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. Appreciate it....more
In this memoir, Waka T. Brown recounts the months when she was sent away to Japan (against her will) because her parents suspect that their 12-year-olIn this memoir, Waka T. Brown recounts the months when she was sent away to Japan (against her will) because her parents suspect that their 12-year-old daughter was having trouble understanding basic Japanese. Not only that, she also has to live with her strict and grumpy grandmother that she barely knows.
"By being away, I traveled to realms in my mind and my heart and my soul that I didn't now were even there."
While I Was Away was a fun, light and heartwarming read about finding oneself, embracing changes and the connections we make along the way. In Japan, Waka met so many people - people who are nice, not-so-nice and people like her grandmother, who are capable of being both nice and not-so-nice at the same time. Although she had trouble making friends and learning kanji, her resilience and determination have helped her to learn more about herself and take on more colours, like ajisai, of the world. 4/5 stars....more
Yuki Hirano has survived his year as a trainee at Nakamura Lumber in Kamusari and in this sequel, he has made the decision to continue working here asYuki Hirano has survived his year as a trainee at Nakamura Lumber in Kamusari and in this sequel, he has made the decision to continue working here as a woodsman. I loved getting back into Kamusari village! With most of the characters, surroundings and forestry techniques covered in the first book, Kamusari Tales Told At Night shifts its focus towards village legends, stories and tragedies that transipred in the past and the blossoming friendship between Yuki and other villagers - and his crush.
The characters’ antics remains a strength worthy to be praised in this series. They are kind, prideful, hilarious, endearing and steadfast despite the tragedy that has befallen them. Poor Yoki and Seichi, but I’m glad they have each other. I appreciate the additional aspect in the second book, which was the myths and legends of the village. It was a really nice touch, in my opinion. There was the legend of snake god who fell in love with the daughter of the tribal chieftain and there was also the myth of a fox deity who the villagers prayed to whenever there was conflict.
Although I laughed an awful lot because of this book, I also cried and learned so much. And like Yuki, I also grew to love Kamusari. More than I thought I would. Overall, this was a solid sequel to The Easy Life in Kamusari. I think I actually enjoyed it more than the first book. I don’t even mind if there’s a third book in this series because I’m not quite ready to part with Kamusari yet - the place and of course, the people.
The Easy Life in Kamusari brims with joy and humour, and it never ceases to remind us, quite movingly, of the inexplicable majesty of nature and the iThe Easy Life in Kamusari brims with joy and humour, and it never ceases to remind us, quite movingly, of the inexplicable majesty of nature and the immeasurable significance of cultures and traditions. At the centre of the novel is Yuki Hirano who recently graduated from high school, and was enrolled (against his will) in a forestry training program in the deep mountain village of Kamusari - where the inhabitants’ basic life motto is: “relax” and “take it easy”.
“Don’t ever forget, we’re only borrowing the land from the god of the mountain.”
I never thought a book about forestry could make me feel so many things. It made me tear up, laugh out loud, and stare out the wall in quiet contemplation. Despite its title, nothing is easy in Kamusari but seeing how Yuki mature over time was lovely to watch. He’d arrived to Kamusari sulking and grumbling but little by little forestry had a hold on him. Through Yuki’s eyes, Shion Mura took us to see what life is like in a mountain village and taught me about the forestry sector, which I learned is a sink or swim industry. It’s also touching to witness the villagers’ pride and faith as mountain dwellers, as well as the way they preserve the forest for future generations.
Overall, this is a fun, lighthearted read with some musings sprinkled in that I recommend. The Easy Life in Kamusari transports us from the bustle of city life to the wonders of rural life - and by the end of the story, you will be yearning for an escape.
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