Reviews

Night on the Galactic Railroad by Kenji Miyazawa

pasarmalam's review against another edition

5.0

For several minutes Giovanni stood there daydreaming about whether the sky really was filled with scorpions and warriors, and how much he'd love to walk forever and ever through that sky.

(Heavily subjective review)

This is the closest i could get to read the perfect book. Even the title itself is already perfect [sobs in 銀河鉄道の夜]. I like to imagine the beautiful painting series of stars and fields by Vincent van Gogh while reading this. I've always been wondering why most of Japanese astronomy-themed songs always mention both star and train, as if they are both inseparable, now i think Miyazawa Kenji was the person who started it all. It was also the reason why i started to write short story with similar theme. It's like watching at the origin of this genre (if i can call it a genre), as if this story was written specifically for me. I love it so much. I think i have simply fallen in love with Miyazawa Kenji's writing.

tomastafollat2's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective fast-paced

4.0

gabriel_sakoda's review against another edition

emotional reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Although about kids, this book is so humorless and dry that I almost dropped it despite the fact that it is so short. The substantive narrative is there. But why do the kids talk like philosophers-in-training? I found its lack of whimsy interfered with my ability to immerse myself into the dream. That begin said, Giovanni's out of body encounter with death was still profound. His confusion and vague sadness regarding death echoes the confusion that kids will face and by situating it within the context of a dream train helps to rationalize grief. The politeness in tone adds to the atmosphere a serenity that makes it worth experiencing for its solemnity and respect for vulnerability. 

himawarihan's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

luciau's review against another edition

funny lighthearted sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.75

sats's review

3.0

Liked the movie, book's worse, but has very magicky otherworldly vibes

queenkath32's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death

blaxploitations's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

tsushimashu's review against another edition

2.0

wasnt necessarily a bad book, just didnt match my tastes. i kind of had high expectations because i thought it would be similar to undefeated by the rain or the restaurant of many orders, but it wasnt like those at all. each story was written nicely, but lacked something that i cant quite describe. it was okay and was a quick read so im not too upset about it. there was a few quotes i liked, such as "if my death were to be of help to others, i wouldnt mind if my body went up into flames" or something along those lines, but not much of the themes or storyline stuck with me afterwards.

timlarsson's review against another edition

5.0

So sad, but really beautiful. A quick read, and I think it is a kid's book... But I'm really not sure.