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A review by mobyskine
People Who Talk to Stuffed Animals Are Nice: Stories by Ao Omae
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!