nitroglycerin's Reviews (952)

The Blanket Cats by Kiyoshi Shigematsu

The Blanket Cats

Kiyoshi Shigematsu

4.0

emotional reflective relaxing slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: N/A

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This collection of short stories was not what I expected, but in a good way! I was anticipating a twee cutsey cat story as many Japanese fiction that is being translated is at the moment. This however had more depth within its short tales showcasing the myriad of events in life that can knock you back, and how a little four legged comfort can be a solace.

Life Ceremony by Sayaka Murata

Life Ceremony

3.75

dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Weird. Creepy. Disturbing. All words I’d use to describe one story or another in this collection. The stand out story is of course the titular Life Ceremony, which aside from the obvious, is a discussion on social norms and doing what we do because we’re told to by law, government or tradition. The opening story, A First-Rate Material also explores this from a slightly different angle.
As per Muratas other work she subverts social normals and explores human contradictions

Chlorine by Jade Song

Chlorine

3.75

slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki

The Full Moon Coffee Shop

3.5

lighthearted reflective slow-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

A Woman of Pleasure by Kiyoko Murata

A Woman of Pleasure

4.0

challenging mysterious reflective sad slow-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

Murder Before Evensong by Richard Coles

Murder Before Evensong

2.5

lighthearted slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Liars by Sarah Manguso

Liars

4.5

dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires

4.0

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Starve Acre by Andrew Michael Hurley

Starve Acre

Andrew Michael Hurley

4.5

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

As unsettling and weird as I hoped. I know the ambiguity was part of this but I do with some things we're cleared up!

Savage Theories by Pola Oloixarac

Savage Theories

DID NOT FINISH: 14%

Too much like homework
Overly philosophical
No feel for the characters