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A review by thewordsdevourer
Dead-End Memories: Stories by Banana Yoshimoto
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
it's now concluded that banana yoshimoto is my life's author, such a balm for my soul her books are. in dead-end memories are stories of women who find healing despite past hardships, all lovingly told through simple yet affecting prose.
there's just sth abt yoshimoto's writing that goes straight to the heart somehow. perhaps it's the fact that her works deal w/ the simplest subjects wherein most ppl fail to even consciously be aware of or give a thought to, thus it renders the experience of reading her stories akin to a soothing, cleansing bath, leaving the reader w/ the essential, more clarity and a clearer view of not only themselves but also the world.
while the book can be quite slow and obfuscating at times, overall the stories in dead-end hit me particularly hard for various readons. "mama!" w/ its articulation of the physical but esp emotional impact of serious illness thats often left unsaid; "not warm at all" for its ability to make me mourn a character despite its very short length; "dead-end memories" w/ its rumination on life and happiness; and all the stories - brimming w/ simple yet healing and happy moments - for the sense of comfort they offer.
yoshimoto can make even the most simple of things or moments miraculous, and im indescribably thankful for her books.
there's just sth abt yoshimoto's writing that goes straight to the heart somehow. perhaps it's the fact that her works deal w/ the simplest subjects wherein most ppl fail to even consciously be aware of or give a thought to, thus it renders the experience of reading her stories akin to a soothing, cleansing bath, leaving the reader w/ the essential, more clarity and a clearer view of not only themselves but also the world.
while the book can be quite slow and obfuscating at times, overall the stories in dead-end hit me particularly hard for various readons. "mama!" w/ its articulation of the physical but esp emotional impact of serious illness thats often left unsaid; "not warm at all" for its ability to make me mourn a character despite its very short length; "dead-end memories" w/ its rumination on life and happiness; and all the stories - brimming w/ simple yet healing and happy moments - for the sense of comfort they offer.
yoshimoto can make even the most simple of things or moments miraculous, and im indescribably thankful for her books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Sexual content, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Rape, Death of parent, and Murder