Out

By akgoemans on 3/10/10 8:31am
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OutOut
Now for another crime thriller. The book is Out and it is Natsuo Kirino's gory story about four ordinary Japanese women and their link to a horrid murder. This is one of those books that really won over its readers, as can be seen from the fact that it was quickly adapted into a movie. Funnily enough, I don't think the movie did that well.

The story is dark and gory and definitely not for everyone. The four characters at the center of the plot are Japanese women from various walks of life. Each of them come from different backgrounds and seem to represent the different types of women out there – the single mom, the newly dumped young woman with bad debt, the bitter middle aged woman and the unhappy woman with an abusive husband. What's their common link? They all work in a dull factory setting and are caught up in this humdrum little life.

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The Makioka Sisters

By akgoemans on 3/3/10 8:09am
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The Makioka SistersThe Makioka SistersYet another novel that is an interesting look at Japanese past. The Makioka Sisters, written by Junichiro Tanizaki, is a story set in the time of the second World War and it follows the life of four sisters. Well, unlike some novels that draw in a bit too much of the time period, this one talks more about personal lives of one particular family.

The story itself is meant to compare and contrast the changing ideals and social trends of its time. Interestingly enough, it was also written in this specific period, meaning that the author was in tune with a lot of the sentiment of his time. On the one hand, this book is about the way a family's comfortable life is disrupted as they face financial problems.

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Death Note: Another Note

By akgoemans on 2/24/10 8:25am
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Death Note: Another NoteDeath Note: Another Note
Oh, being an anime fan of course I would set my eyes on this one. It's called Death Note: Another Note and it is a prequel to the popular manga storyline. Actually, it is effectively an elaboration of a murder mystery that came up in the manga series. A warning to all, the book probably makes sense only if you are either familiar with the DN series or are a huge fan of the main character. Fine, the story will make sense but you won't be as enthralled by the plot.

The story falls into the mystery genre where folks are trying to uncover the truth behind some horrid murders. And of course the man of the hour is lovable L, the genius detective of the DN series. You also come across Masori Naomi, the brilliant mystery-solver from the series.

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Loving the Machine

By akgoemans on 2/15/10 5:44am
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Loving the MachineLoving the Machine
Loving The Machine: The Art and Science of Japanese Robots is a must-have for robotics fans. By this I don't mean the evil world domination type robots from the movies. Rather, these are the various types of, usually helpful, robots created by Japanese companies. Penned by Timothy N.Hornyak, this book will appeal to both general tech fans and lovers of Japanese robot culture.

The book covers a lot of the history of Japanese robot development. In this way, it also explores the way of thinking that encouraged such development.

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Kitchen

By akgoemans on 2/2/10 7:32am
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KitchenKitchenBlame it on the generation gap but the concept of this novel seemed outdated in light of modern trends. The novel in question, Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto, is about a young Japanese woman who is trying to make sense of her current life whilst also expanding age-old comfort zones established by her elders. Don't get me wrong; the story is delightful to read and it exceptionally touching but … I do like to think that the younger crowds don't feel this type of angst, especially where gender roles are concerned. Or am I being too hopeful here?


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Now You're One of Us

By akgoemans on 1/26/10 6:14am
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Now You're One of UsNow You're One of Us
This is one of those books that you will love or hate. Now You're One of Us is a slow, suspenseful story that revolves around Japanese culture. In a way, I think it is the various cultural elements that add to the plot and move it forward and thus, you have to keep it in mind, in order to enjoy the novel.

The story is about a woman, Noriko, who becomes part of a large family when she marries one of their sons, Kazuhito. As she gets used to the quirky ways of living with more folks in one house, she starts worrying about them. More specifically, she thinks that they have dark secrets and that no one is what they seem.

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Japanese SF Authors to Keep in Mind

By akgoemans on 1/22/10 5:21am
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Leopard MaskLeopard Mask
When publishers consider translating foreign works into English, the genre they almost always land on is drama. Or historical fiction. Fine, in a lot of cases there are other genres that ventured into this arena but I find that these books are generally so popular in their native land (or have won an award or had a movie adaptation to their name) that it warrants the translation. Am I wrong is assuming that's how they pick books? Point is, if you like reading SF books, it might be a bit annoying that is a lack of foreign stories in this genre. Especially ones from Japan. I'm fascinated by the concepts presented in science fiction and fantasy-based manga and therefore, am eager to read more novels in those genres as well. So far, trying to find authors or specific books have not been fruitful. I am keeping a list of authors in mind though.



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In Miso Soup

By akgoemans on 1/12/10 8:02am
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In Miso SoupIn Miso Soup
This book must be one of the better known Japanese novels: since its publication a few years ago, In Miso Soup by Ryu Murakami has been gathering fans. In fact, given that the author's previous book was an award-winner, it is hardly surprising that this one was so eagerly anticipated. However, I must say that this book might not be everyone's favorite read; the novel has darker undertones, one that reminds me of Paul Auster's works, where readers catch a glimpse of humanity's nasty side.


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Shame in Blood

By akgoemans on 1/6/10 8:25am
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 Shame in BloodShame in Blood

If you are looking for a different view of Japan, i.e a deviation from the 'trendy weird' angle, check out this literary classic called Shame in Blood. Alright, some call it a classic, others do not. For the latter, this book was a constant reiteration of the same theme which in itself was outdated. More on that later; first, a synopsis of the book.

 

Shame in Blood is the story of an unlucky young man. Well, his bad luck is a matter of obsession for him and this thought influences his actions throughout his life. More specifically, he is ashamed because of his family and feels that this is a burden he must bear.

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Wrong about Japan

By akgoemans on 12/30/09 3:00am
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Wrong about JapanWrong about Japan

This is one of those books that you will love or hate. And chances are, you're likely to dislike it if you are familiar with Japanese culture. Having said that, it certain warrants mentioning this for folks who share this author's feelings.

The book is a short one, describing a short exploratory mission taken by author Peter Carey and his son. As it happens, Carey's young son becomes a manga/anime fan and somehow father and son start bonding as the son becomes more set in his new interests. The book, Wrong About Japan, is Carey's attempts to understand what his son is into. To this effect, these two actual trek over to Japan and explore the world of manga and anime. The writer describes the cultural aspects using his own culture as a point of reference.

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