jadejoro's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.75
Switching from Dazai's typical heavy tone into essentially a collection of fairy tales was a bit jarring, but overall helped me develop a fuller picture of the author as a person. Most of my qualms with the story are personal (fairy tales and fables typically aren't my preference), but generally speaking Japanese folk tales can be a little darker than what Americans might be expecting. The title short story was easily my favorite; it's fantasy element felt the most familiar and compelling out of the various plots.
theq's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.75
bookwomble's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
rica014's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
kokonatsu's review against another edition
5.0
What an interesting collection of short stories, all published between 1934 and 1945. Although the title only says 'Tales of Fantasy', I daresay you could almost include romance in that description. In the translator's introduction, he says that Osamu Dazai is a self confessed romantic, and while I don't think you could classify these stories as straight romance, they also don't fall too short of the genre. Romance with a twist. My favourite story was Blue Bamboo, a sweet story of a man whose story is similar to Cinderella in some aspects. My other two favourites were about the five brothers and sisters and their storytelling; these alone show the author's genuine writing ability and flexibility. The stories themselves had me hooked.
eve_kadou's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
librasgroove's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
This collection of short stories has moments that really got me. . .the siblings poking fun during their storytelling, a man who turns into a crow after failing his exam, and the antics of a woods witch woman. HOWEVER, so much of this translation is stiff and unimaginative. And, women aren’t really autonomous characters - they are always defined by their relationships to men; they are self sacrificing daughters, doting mothers, and helpful sisters. Or, they are annoying wives. Also, on more than one occasion darker skin tones are associated with selfishness and ugliness. So there is that.