The Travelling Cat Chronicles, by Hiro Arikawa, is a slice of life style fiction following a Japanese man, Satoru, who is looking for a home for his cThe Travelling Cat Chronicles, by Hiro Arikawa, is a slice of life style fiction following a Japanese man, Satoru, who is looking for a home for his cat Nana. The book follows the two (cat and man) as they drive around Japan in his old, silver van, meeting old friends and new, and reminiscing on the past, while encountering the meaning of friendship, love and courage. This book was beautiful in many ways; the changing seasons, the road trips, and the cozy visits were all candy for this reader. The slice of life genre is real here, and the book does a fantastic job in being both humorous and heartfelt, as much of the genre is. I really enjoyed the aesthetics and the way this story felt. The story takes place form the cat's perspective, which adds some humour and heartfelt moments to the story.
On the minus side, I did find the book to feel a bit disingenuous - more of a calculation than a story. This is not wholly negative, and probably has a lot to do with the translation into English, and this readers difficulty with the change in language. This is a feeling I get with many Japanese slice of life stories - a genre I am currently exploring with gusto. The stories are very light and breezy, and sometimes this breeziness transcends reality and makes the book feel less real, which is not always the best in a slice of life story. When a dash of magical realism is added, I feel like that can add a lot to the genre (for example, The Miracles of the Namiya General Store). I feel the same with humour (for example, 極主夫道〈1〉) and with more serious topics (for example, My Brother's Husband, Volume 1), but in this case, I felt a bit out of touch with the book. Hard to explain, maybe, but I did not enjoy this book as much as I have with others of the genre. Even so, still a quite enjoyable read, if not as much as the above examples. Recommended for fans of slice of life fiction, and those looking for a lighter book that has some moments of humour and bitter-sweetness. ...more
The Miracles of the Namiya General Store, by Keigo Higashino, is a book about a small convenience store in a Tokyo sleeper-town that offers advice to The Miracles of the Namiya General Store, by Keigo Higashino, is a book about a small convenience store in a Tokyo sleeper-town that offers advice to its patrons. In the 1970's and 1980's, this advice was offered by the wholesome shop owner, who would very seriously consider advice offered by his patrons, so much so as to make his shop slightly famous. The letters began as a joke between him and some neighbourhood kids, but turned into a thriving, free advice column, which the owner derived great meaning from. In fact, it was his life's work. This book is a series of stories about this magical shop, where letters come in from all points in time. A deep and quiet reflection on what brings meaning in life, and how we proceed through events as individuals is contained in these simple and sweet stories, all interconnected through the fabric of community, and through time.
I really enjoyed this book. After reading A History of Modern Japan: In Search of a Nation: 1850 to the Present, and Before the Coffee Gets Cold, I have been a bit hooked on Japanese slice of life stories, with the stated goal of trying to read more Japanese fiction. It is off to a pretty good start! This book has been a worldwide bestseller, and one can see why. It is not of the highest quality, and would certainly turn off those looking for a heavier read. This book is light and fluffy, and offers a wonderful and heartfelt mix of emotions, story and humour that is a delight. I am a huge fan of the slice of life genre in manga, and moving into fiction has been a pleasurable way to expand my reading horizons. A fun little book, it is easy, breezy, and perfect for a cozy days read. ...more
Before the Coffee Gets Cold, by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, is a fun little book about a coffee shop in Japan that has the ability to allow visitors to traveBefore the Coffee Gets Cold, by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, is a fun little book about a coffee shop in Japan that has the ability to allow visitors to travel to the past, but with some rules; one cannot leave the seat they are in, one cannot change the past, and one must return before their coffee gets cold. From this, we get a number of lovely vignettes on life, love, loss and the moments we live in. Originally conceived as a play by the same author, one can see and feel the construction of a play within the book; it all takes place in one location - the coffee shop, and has a small cast of characters. It really felt like a play, and in a good way.
The stories themselves were well written for the most part. I agree with some of the criticisms of this book on Goodreads here; it is very light, and does not offer much past a lovely reading experience. And you know what? That is just enough for me. I really enjoyed this book for its poignant moments, its humour, and its relatively well fleshed out cast of characters. And the cool concept as well. All in all, a solid magical realism novel about a coffee shop, that revels in the small moments. Much like a fresh cup of coffee, it can be savoured for a short period of time, and then it is gone. ...more
The Metal Bowl, by Miranda July, is a very well written short story about a woman who is haunted by an adult video she shot in the past. This video isThe Metal Bowl, by Miranda July, is a very well written short story about a woman who is haunted by an adult video she shot in the past. This video is her sexual mantra, and is tied closely into her identity, as a hidden and precious object. The story touches on ideas of marriage, a very raw and real sexual love, identity, and the strangeness of being human. The passages in this book are devastatingly real, with prose about going through the motions, and an inability to connect to others being top of mind. This one affected me deeply, and certainly fits the reality that I believe many of us face in romantic love.
The author uses prose that is tinged with awkwardness, and shies away from any ideal. The main character is sympathetic, and yet her actions are not flawless, but real. This was a really wonderful little read for anyone looking for a good short story. It is not pleasant per se, but certainly contains a devastating warmth, a very human story, and a shot at the ideals of love and romance we hold dear, but which don't really mesh with reality. Give it a quick read (or listen) in its original New Yorker setting here . It is probably NSFW for most, so be forewarned....more
Sea Prayer, by Khaled Hosseini, is a lovely little picture book on the topic of the Syrian Civil War and Syrian refugees. This book is written in the Sea Prayer, by Khaled Hosseini, is a lovely little picture book on the topic of the Syrian Civil War and Syrian refugees. This book is written in the style of a children's picture book, with short, meaningful text, lovely watercolour paintings for pictures, and a deep and resonating feeling to it. The book is about a father, and his grief for his lost way of life, and his hope and yearning for a safe life for his son as they travel over a body of water in a refugee barge. This is a quick, meaningful read, and one that well represents the trials and tribulations of a refugee fleeing their home due to war and violence. Certainly a timely and worthy read, with good pictures, and a message and tone that needs to be felt by more people. ...more
Invisible Cities, by Italo Calvino, is a gorgeous work of fiction. It comprises a series of conversations between Marco Polo and Kublai Khan, on the nInvisible Cities, by Italo Calvino, is a gorgeous work of fiction. It comprises a series of conversations between Marco Polo and Kublai Khan, on the nature of cities, their like, and how they affect their inhabitants and visitors. The book is beautifully written, comprising fantasy and philosophy. Invisible Cities captures imagery, feeling and wonderful prose, mixing architecture, emotion and wanderlust and capturing the feelings with ease. Calvino has written a wonderful book that kept me reading to the end, and at times the book was profound and breathtaking. This is a fabulous read, and one that I feel requires multiple looks. My review is incomplete, and may always be, as this book has a wonderful depth that I wish to explore again. Worthy of a read for those interested in philosophy, history and fantasy. It is quick, elegant and interesting. ...more
Wenjack, by Joseph Boyden, is the tale of a young boy, Chanie Wenjack, who escapes from a residential school in Kenora, Ontario, to try and find his fWenjack, by Joseph Boyden, is the tale of a young boy, Chanie Wenjack, who escapes from a residential school in Kenora, Ontario, to try and find his family. The story follows Chanie as he stumbles through the cold, October landscape of Ontario. He is pursued by spirits who observe him from afar.
For those who do not know, the residential school system was a brutal attempt to destroy Aboriginal culture in Canada. It took children away from their families and placed them in boarding schools to attempt to stamp out their language, religion and culture and raise them as Anglo-Saxon Canadians. Abuse was ripe in the school systems, and Canada continues to grapple with the fallout of this flawed and despicable attempt at cultural genocide. This school system was one of Canada's darkest deeds, and continues to affect the fabric of our cultural and political landscape.
The story of Chanie Wenjack is a true story, so I will not go into detail, for fear of spoilers. Suffice to say, however, that this is a sad tale. It mixes Chanie's journey with fable-like elements as spirits follow Chanie to observe his progress. This was an excellent read from Joseph Boyden, a now infamous Canadian author. Controversy surrounding Boyden's claimed ancestry to First Nation's groups has arisen, and Boyden has been lambasted by some. That aside, this book was an excellent tale, and an important one for Canadian readers. The controversy surrounding Boyden's claims may be warranted. Whatever your stance on the above issues, however, this book is certainly an important one to read, and is easily recommended to any Canadian readers or those looking to get a glimpse into current Canadian cultural trends....more
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