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ayaisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
manglitter's review against another edition
3.0
2.75 Stars only for the last story.
I'm so disappointed after reading this book because we feel that the title and the cover were just used to attract readers to this book. While reading each story my interest and mind were on stand by, I was just reading and not feeling anything until the last story of the book called "Hello, Thank You, Everything's Fine" which was the only one that really piqued my interest a little bit. It's about mental health and loneliness, it was weird and interesting.
All in all, the stories felt like they were missing, a bit confusing if not just needed to be more elaborated and I don't know if the problem is the translation for Emily Balistrieri seems to have translated several good works.
I'm so disappointed after reading this book because we feel that the title and the cover were just used to attract readers to this book. While reading each story my interest and mind were on stand by, I was just reading and not feeling anything until the last story of the book called "Hello, Thank You, Everything's Fine" which was the only one that really piqued my interest a little bit. It's about mental health and loneliness, it was weird and interesting.
All in all, the stories felt like they were missing, a bit confusing if not just needed to be more elaborated and I don't know if the problem is the translation for Emily Balistrieri seems to have translated several good works.
heartswhisper's review against another edition
3.0
3.5! the second story/main story is actually nice i loved it
jaleenmackay's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Sexual assault
mimooo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
relatable, cohesive, empathetic, and moving short story collection for soft and nice ppl living amongst wolves and jackals . shoutout to all the ace ppl
“people who talk” reminded me of heaven by mieko kawakami in a way …. and “hello thank you everything’s fine” about a child with a hikikomori sibling broke my heart……… it’s hard to help a loved one who rejects and has been rejected by the rest of the world and is dealing with mental illness (i know i struggle to empathize with that but maybe i see a horror version of myself there, selfishly….. ….) but to see that and experience that loss and trauma thru a child’s [imagination]……. at least that’s my read but very thought provoking . standouts
read in one sitting
“people who talk” reminded me of heaven by mieko kawakami in a way …. and “hello thank you everything’s fine” about a child with a hikikomori sibling broke my heart……… it’s hard to help a loved one who rejects and has been rejected by the rest of the world and is dealing with mental illness (i know i struggle to empathize with that but maybe i see a horror version of myself there, selfishly….. ….) but to see that and experience that loss and trauma thru a child’s [imagination]……. at least that’s my read but very thought provoking . standouts
read in one sitting
mobyskine's review against another edition
4.0
A title novella and 3 short stories in a spine; so quirky and cute yet quite distressful on how each plot brought me to observe on the idiosyncrasy of a character; of emotional fragility and disillusionment that was intricately crafted in a gender dynamic, coming-of-age and human relationship backdrops. Its tender almost gloomy narration was addictive much and I like how the author managed to explore the theme with a gripping variation in his neat characterization and absorbing plot dynamics.
I enjoyed reading all the 4 stories especially the title novella, People Who Talk To Stuffed Animals Are Nice as it centered on how people find solace and attachment by talking to stuffed animals. Of self-concern, social expectations, desire and morality that making Nanamori to question on his kindness and consideration towards others. Realizing Fun Things Through Water following Hatsuoka’s perspective on her mother-in-law who believes in the miracle of a cancer-preventing water and sister who writes fake news for a living but now went missing. Love the execution and tension in this story as well the affecting ending. A slightly dreamy plot for Bath Towel Visuals with its love conflict narrative , siblings drama and misogyny issue. Hello, Thank You, Everything’s Fine the most surreal out of all; Marumi who needs to deal with her brother’s shut-in behaviour and his imaginary friends who he invited over— bit haunting but I love how bizarrely psychological it goes.
A thought-provoking collection overall; unique with nothing exceptional yet intriguing much for how each expressing alienation, anxiety and fear in its own emotional arc— a grim reality that often go hopeless or misjudged. Will go with 4 stars to this!
Thank you Times Reads for the gifted copy!
I enjoyed reading all the 4 stories especially the title novella, People Who Talk To Stuffed Animals Are Nice as it centered on how people find solace and attachment by talking to stuffed animals. Of self-concern, social expectations, desire and morality that making Nanamori to question on his kindness and consideration towards others. Realizing Fun Things Through Water following Hatsuoka’s perspective on her mother-in-law who believes in the miracle of a cancer-preventing water and sister who writes fake news for a living but now went missing. Love the execution and tension in this story as well the affecting ending. A slightly dreamy plot for Bath Towel Visuals with its love conflict narrative , siblings drama and misogyny issue. Hello, Thank You, Everything’s Fine the most surreal out of all; Marumi who needs to deal with her brother’s shut-in behaviour and his imaginary friends who he invited over— bit haunting but I love how bizarrely psychological it goes.
A thought-provoking collection overall; unique with nothing exceptional yet intriguing much for how each expressing alienation, anxiety and fear in its own emotional arc— a grim reality that often go hopeless or misjudged. Will go with 4 stars to this!
Thank you Times Reads for the gifted copy!
herewegoagain's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Unfortunately the audiobook narrator was annoying, but overall I thought the stories were okay but a bit too irritating sometimes
pompompurinworlds's review against another edition
2.0
definitely different and on the nose with a lot of contemporary issues but just not my favorite!
moontomes's review against another edition
sad
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
2.25