tomwbrass's review against another edition
3.0
I feel I can't really 'review' folklore but the collection itself was nice. I like the way stories are grouped into 5 of a similar theme. However, the font size is tiny and 220 folktales in one collection, read continuously, might be a bit too many.
snugglor's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting look at medieval Japan's folklore and religion.
The introduction gives a good background to the culture and the beliefs of the time and indicates how daily life was influenced by tradition, and how those traditions gave rise to these stories.
The stories themselves vary from haunting to relationships to monks seeking Enlightenment. I enjoyed reading them and seeing how these tales have a different aesthetic to Western stories.
The introduction gives a good background to the culture and the beliefs of the time and indicates how daily life was influenced by tradition, and how those traditions gave rise to these stories.
The stories themselves vary from haunting to relationships to monks seeking Enlightenment. I enjoyed reading them and seeing how these tales have a different aesthetic to Western stories.
badger1984's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
jacobbou's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
mthebau's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
mshen42's review
funny
mysterious
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
3.0
Collection of short Japanese tales. There are some really funny and entertaining ones and others are just weird and bizarre. They often involve elements of Japanese culture like Buddhism, Japanese gods/ghosts/monsters. Some of the stories get repetitive at times.
afterglobe's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 / 5
Good exposure to Japanese folklore and themes. Can be a bit dry, but interesting overall.
Good exposure to Japanese folklore and themes. Can be a bit dry, but interesting overall.
rachael_baker8's review
adventurous
funny
relaxing
slow-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
3.5
ksparks's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this collection. Definitely read the introduction first--it provides much needed context. These tales are great--many are short, only one to two pages. Some are haunting, others disturbing, some are raunchy, and others romantic, quite a few are funny. You'll find emperors, monks, princesses, foxes and snakes, all kinds of demons, warriors and gods. The scholarship that went into this volume is impressive--there are extensive source notes and the tales are really well organized. As others have noted, you may find more literary/romantic versions of stories elsewhere but probably not more authentic. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.