i’m so pleasantly surprised on finding your channel! i specifically searched for reviews of things remembered, things forgotten because i wasn’t able to understand a few of the stories. but i’m so so surprised that i’d never seen your videos and that’s so stupid because you’re so good!! you’re going to be one of my fav booktubers, i’m so sure!!
I'm currently reading Thing Remembered and Things Forgotten and my gosh it's so good! I'm also curious- I've noticed you mention the quality of the translation quite a lot. I remember you saying Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto was a poor translation (I read it so long ago but enjoyed the book). Is there something in particular you note when looking at the quality of translations? I'm so interested :)
That's a good question! I think with quality of translation, you have to look closely at the text. Look at idioms and clever turns of phrase, or even just well-selected adjectives and metaphors etc. They're the mark of a good translator who is working hard to make the writing pretty in English :)
If you've read the novel no longer human, I think you'll be interested in the short stories of osamu dazai in the book called self potraits. The short stories are all (semi?) autobiographical and before each story the translator would tell what was happening in dazai's life which leads him to writing the story. It was a great read into his troubled life. Only problem though is that the book has long been out of print but a pdf version of the book exist somewhere in the Internet. If you could find it or buy it, then I highly recommend it
While I've read many short stories, with the Japanese I think I've only read Akutagawa and Haruki Murakami. The only two Japanese collections I read were Akutagawa's Rashomon and Murakami's after the quake - and miscellaneous short stories from both besides. So there's that. Edit: I do like me some Junji Ito, but those are comics.
Great selections, I have read some of the ones you have mentioned and greatly enjoyed them, and most of the others are on my tbr! A couple I would definitely recommend and think have a lot of heart and soul are, "Murder in the Age of Enlightenment" by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, and "The Cake Tree in the Ruins" by Akiyuki Nosaka. Both published by Pushkin Press.
How is it that every time I watch one of your videos not only does my TBR get bigger but it makes the food I'm eating so much more enjoyable? I'll actually tear up because of how good it tastes and how eloquently you speak. Someone could walk in and see me literally eating trash and crying. The Hanging Balloons is one of my favorites by Ito as well! I would say it's tied with The Enigma of Amigara Fault! Great video as always!
Wow, that is quite the compliment, thank you! Amigara Fault is another classic. Shame it's not in Shiver but it's one of the most lovecraftian things he's written!
I worked 12 hours at a desk for 6 moths. And I experienced having pain in back or hands after working a lot. I tried to stretch or things like that. It didn't work. After that 6 months I started watching movies for at least 12 hours a day. I didn't work. I just sat down and watch movies but I had pain my back and neck. It have been 2 years that I'm working out. Not something spacial. I go the gym. That's all. 5 weeks ago I watched movies 15 hours straight. I experienced absolutely no pain in my back, my neck, or even my butt. It's because my body muscles are stronger now. Working out will make it easier to work or study for long times. And thanks for your time for makeing this video and writing the article.
The first Japanese short story collection I've read was Toddler Hunting and Other Stories by Taeko Kono. (Translated by Lucy North). The first story 'Night Journey' is a bit underwhelming, but the others are excellent. I have never read anything like it. Utterly compelling and deeply disturbing at the same time. Trigger warning though for child abuse and deep, disturbing sexual fantasies.
@@WillowTalksBooks It's not a recommendation. I mention it because it is Japanese literature. All the stories were written in the '60. When I read it, I thought what I felt these stories are. Dark, sinister (not all of them), but some of them really upset me. Toddler Hunting, Snow. These are stories I never want to read again. But learning about the dark past of Japan in the past year and knowing that when Taeko Kono wrote them, and got appreciated and seen for her work, with her most mysogiouness (I know it's not a word. I invent it. I am Dutch) stories in this collection, even upsets me more. She is hauled as a feminist writer. Sadly enough, other works by her aren't translated. I want you to know that Toddler hunting (hate against girls. Not a spoiler. It's on the back of the book) got her recognition. And that 'Snow'', would have actually earned her a big award in Japan. She got that award later with Crabs. Which is also a story in the book. I have a love/hate relationship with this book. And with Japan. I love the the culture. But in it's dark ways, I hate it too.
Well. I had two Moscow Mules while watching this video. Random thoughts: you recommended the Neighborhood book to me when I asked for a gentler collection. It’s on my TBR for fairly soon. Now I’m dying to read the story about the balloons. Eerie!!!! I’m at my daughter’s and the rest of the family is in the living room watching To Kill a Mockingbird while I’m in another room watching your video. You did a great job on this video and I’m grateful for all of your recommendations. I think after the Neighborhood collection I might read the Book of Tokyo. Not sure what time it is there but I hope you get some tasty food and rest!!
Ah, this video is eerily timely as I literally picked up Things Remembered and Things Forgotten yesterday 😊 I loved Revenge by Ogawa but have yet to pick up The Diving Pool although that does sound wonderfully creepy. I’ve never picked up Ito (thinks of the terrifying artwork) but your summary of one of the stories in Shiver does have me intrigued so who knows? I may be brave and pick it up! Excellent content and will definitely be picking up Terminal Boredom, People From My Neighbourhoood and The Penguin Book of Japanese Short Stories 😇
Yes! You're going to love Things Remembered (I hope)! And yeah, Ito is certainly not for everyone. His stories and art are often distressing (one of the stories is about body holes and I have trypophobia). But if you're intrigued, there's really nothing else like what he does.
Ah thank you very much for mentioning the body holes...I can be pretty squeamish at times so I may just keep a blindfold and/or bucket with me (strange combo, I know) whilst reading his work but I’m willing to give it a try 😅
it was a mistake watching this late at night as they describe a story about balloons that hunt people down to hang them.... but also my to-read list is growing quickly!
Thank you so much, I will take a closer look on the Penguin collection, the books of Yoko Ogawa and Where The Wild Ladies Are. Do you know the japanese ghost stories of Lafcadio Hearn? There is a wonderful edition with pictures of Lacombe, but I wonder if the quality of the stories matches the illustrations. Do you know if they are any good and can be considered as authentic? Greetings from Germany! :-)
Actually, the article I wrote to accompany this video (link in the description) also includes Hearn's book! But a lot of people don't like it because it's more of a history book. I also recommend Haunted Japan by Catrien Ross! She's very knowledgeable and a great writer :)
Thanks a lot, I knew, if anyone could help me, it would be you! :-) I just put Hearn‘s book on my birthday wishlist. I really like the pictures of Benjamin Lacombe, I think his style fits these kinds of stories perfectly, but I also wanted to read stories which are authentic and not some twisted European version of the originals. You really helped me with my decision! I enjoyed your writing so much, very nice article! Thanks for broadening my mind (I hope that‘s the right phrase for what I’m trying to say! :-D).
I need to get the Penguin Book and some Suzuki and Ogawa. One of my faves Lizard by Ban ana Yoshimoto, I love her writing. P.S.: I too have tokophobia.
Ah, Lizard is a Yoshimoto book I haven't read yet so thanks for recommending! And thanks for letting me know the name of the phobia. I think a few years of being a school teacher didn't help either.
I made a video about him that you can watch. Google is also your friend, but being a fascist is probably the most famous thing about him. He literally identified as a fascist. Yukio Mishima: author, model, bisexual, instigator of a failed military coup, fascist. These are just facts about him 🤷🏻♀️
@@WillowTalksBooks The word fascism has its etymology so its meaning is quite restricted. By expanding it beyond those restrictions you can categorize as fascists many people. Plato, Nietzsche, Wagner, early Thomas Mann, Pasolini, Murakami Ryu, just to give few examples. Also both testaments of the Bible have a lot of content that would fit into the category. I guess I know what you intend but calling Mishima a fascist seems to be not much more than sticking a label on quite a complex man. I suppose Platonic dualism of forms and the cave could be used as a base in order to get to the Mishima's core.
So far all the books I read after watching your review were just wonderful! Thank you💕 I would like to recommend “Kaoruko Himeno” Her style is very quirky and funny, and feminist too. I don’t know if her works have been translated in English but I’m curious what you think of her works. :)
