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the_sunken_library's review
2.0
I am afraid this book of short stories was not for me. To suggest he is akin to J G Ballard in anyway was highly flippant of Nicholas Lezard.
Most of the stories I found to be dull and end up abruptly. Their subjects and focus were often hazy and confusing. His characters were all mad and not in an interesting way. I feel he doesn't like women very much for they often appear to be hysterical creatures with no grasp of logic.
The only ones where I cracked a smile or curiously turned the page were his humorous Bravo Herr Mozart! and his political The Last Smoker.
Most of the stories I found to be dull and end up abruptly. Their subjects and focus were often hazy and confusing. His characters were all mad and not in an interesting way. I feel he doesn't like women very much for they often appear to be hysterical creatures with no grasp of logic.
The only ones where I cracked a smile or curiously turned the page were his humorous Bravo Herr Mozart! and his political The Last Smoker.
trin's review against another edition
2.0
Well, this was weird. I really liked some of the stories in this collection—and I deeply loathed others. “The Very Edge of Happiness,” for example, is a brilliant and chilling piece of social commentary; “The World Is Tilting,” however, is one of the most misogynistic pieces of crap I’ve suffered through all year. What am I supposed to do with that?
You know, I really hate that I’m even in the position to have to review half of what I read from the perspective of my angry ovaries; I start to feel like the girl who cried sexism. On the other hand… THERE ARE WOLVES EVERYWHERE. HIDE YOUR SONS! ARM YOUR DAUGHTERS! I’m just going to keep beating on this thing until it goes away.
You know, I really hate that I’m even in the position to have to review half of what I read from the perspective of my angry ovaries; I start to feel like the girl who cried sexism. On the other hand… THERE ARE WOLVES EVERYWHERE. HIDE YOUR SONS! ARM YOUR DAUGHTERS! I’m just going to keep beating on this thing until it goes away.
gwenolabarr's review against another edition
3.0
These stories are unhinged. And that's not a bad thing at all!
The absurdity of these stories was enjoyable, and it was the cheapest trip I have ever taken. However, the writing just felt clunky. I'm going to put it down to the English translation - there are some passages with obtuse, ill-fitting words that made it stilted read.
Still, it's weird. Get on the weird if you're also unhinged.
The absurdity of these stories was enjoyable, and it was the cheapest trip I have ever taken. However, the writing just felt clunky. I'm going to put it down to the English translation - there are some passages with obtuse, ill-fitting words that made it stilted read.
Still, it's weird. Get on the weird if you're also unhinged.
susanbrooks's review against another edition
2.0
The book is as weird as its title - which is what drew me to it.
Weirdness is what I got. The Absurd situations and premises in the stories are enjoyable. But I didn't find any connections with characters. More of a clinical, intellectual experience.
Weirdness is what I got. The Absurd situations and premises in the stories are enjoyable. But I didn't find any connections with characters. More of a clinical, intellectual experience.
benrogerswpg's review against another edition
This was such a strange but interesting and wonderful book.
I found it a brilliant blend between the writing styles of Rampo and Ryu Murakami.
Would read more Tsutsui in the future.
4.0/5
I found it a brilliant blend between the writing styles of Rampo and Ryu Murakami.
Would read more Tsutsui in the future.
4.0/5
vdarcangelo's review against another edition
3.0
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/nov/27/salmonella-men-on-planet-porno/
This review originally appeared in the ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS
Salmonella Men on Planet Porno
By Vince Darcangelo, Special to the Rocky
Published November 27, 2008 at 7 p.m.
Salmonella Men on Planet Porno
* Fiction. By Yasutaka Tsutsui. Pantheon, $21.95. Grade: B+
Book in a nutshell: In a career that has spanned more than four decades, science-fiction writer Yasutaka Tsutsui has become one of Japan's most esteemed authors, winning the Tanizki and Kawabata prizes. The French government has even named him a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.
But good luck finding him in America. While some of Tsutsui's work has been translated into English, until now it's been available only in Europe.
This month, he makes his American debut with a translation of his 2005 short-story collection, Salmonella Men on Planet Porno, which has been available in the United Kingdom since 2006. The collection contains 13 tales of alternate reality, absurdism and magical realism that are often funny and sometimes pack major satirical bite.
Rumors About Me best illustrates this balance of the serious and the silly. Tsutomu Morishita is a humdrum office worker who can't get a date with a comely co-worker, then suddenly finds himself the subject of media scrutiny. Every mundane aspect of his life becomes a headline. News helicopters follow his every move. He becomes famous for being a "nobody" or, as we say in America, "famous for being famous."
His newfound celebrity changes everything about his life. He finally lands a date with that co-worker and receives favors when recognized in public, and his behavior becomes erratic as the pressure of the constant scrutiny becomes too much.
Once you get past the absurdity, Rumors About Me is an interesting parable about the media, celebrity and a culture obsessed with reality television in which "nobodies" become famous not for their actions but for being on TV.
Sample of prose: "'Therefore, if you persist in asserting your own sanity, it proves, conversely, that your environment is in fact normal, but that you alone are abnormal. If you consider your environment to be abnormal, then by all means lose your mind!"
Pros: When Tsutsui sharpens his satirical knife, this book is insightful and funny.
Cons: At other times, the absurdity is too much to overcome.
Final word: Tsutsui's introduction to America is witty and sometimes wise. He may not supplant Haruki Murakami any time soon, but his dark satire should find a loyal audience in the states.
This review originally appeared in the ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS
Salmonella Men on Planet Porno
By Vince Darcangelo, Special to the Rocky
Published November 27, 2008 at 7 p.m.
Salmonella Men on Planet Porno
* Fiction. By Yasutaka Tsutsui. Pantheon, $21.95. Grade: B+
Book in a nutshell: In a career that has spanned more than four decades, science-fiction writer Yasutaka Tsutsui has become one of Japan's most esteemed authors, winning the Tanizki and Kawabata prizes. The French government has even named him a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.
But good luck finding him in America. While some of Tsutsui's work has been translated into English, until now it's been available only in Europe.
This month, he makes his American debut with a translation of his 2005 short-story collection, Salmonella Men on Planet Porno, which has been available in the United Kingdom since 2006. The collection contains 13 tales of alternate reality, absurdism and magical realism that are often funny and sometimes pack major satirical bite.
Rumors About Me best illustrates this balance of the serious and the silly. Tsutomu Morishita is a humdrum office worker who can't get a date with a comely co-worker, then suddenly finds himself the subject of media scrutiny. Every mundane aspect of his life becomes a headline. News helicopters follow his every move. He becomes famous for being a "nobody" or, as we say in America, "famous for being famous."
His newfound celebrity changes everything about his life. He finally lands a date with that co-worker and receives favors when recognized in public, and his behavior becomes erratic as the pressure of the constant scrutiny becomes too much.
Once you get past the absurdity, Rumors About Me is an interesting parable about the media, celebrity and a culture obsessed with reality television in which "nobodies" become famous not for their actions but for being on TV.
Sample of prose: "'Therefore, if you persist in asserting your own sanity, it proves, conversely, that your environment is in fact normal, but that you alone are abnormal. If you consider your environment to be abnormal, then by all means lose your mind!"
Pros: When Tsutsui sharpens his satirical knife, this book is insightful and funny.
Cons: At other times, the absurdity is too much to overcome.
Final word: Tsutsui's introduction to America is witty and sometimes wise. He may not supplant Haruki Murakami any time soon, but his dark satire should find a loyal audience in the states.
sandeestarlite's review against another edition
3.0
This collection of short stories has some interesting social commentary about keeping up with the Jonses. However, most stories had stay-at-home wives whining that their husbands need to make more money. Tiring after awhile. Many of the stories had a bizarre twist, which was inventive but the endings were mostly depressing.
greg_giannakis's review against another edition
3.0
Other than the really disconcerting mysogynistic overtones in the first half of the book (that I didn't know whether to take seriously since the whole book was satirical and over the top), the ideas this guy had were wonderful :)
qdony's review against another edition
3.0
(2,5/5)
El primer relato, "El bonsái Dabadaba", me parece divertido y simpático, como un episodio gamberrete de "La dimensión desconocida". Un poco previsible, en realidad, pero bien sin ser nada del otro mundo.
"Rumores sobre mí" es un buen relato y una buena metáfora sobre los medios de comunicación, aunque la conclusión es un poco anticlimática.
"El límite de la felicidad" es el relato con menos sentido del humor y el más punzante. Es el más claramente alegórico y también el que me parece más eficaz a todos los niveles. Para mí, el único relato excelente del volumen.
"El mundo se inclina" no me gusta en ninguno de sus aspecto, ni como relato literal ni como caricatura, por no mencionar el tono misógino gratuito. Esa misoginia está presente en otros (por no decir en la mayoría) de los relatos, pero en la mayoría se puede leer como crítica o sátira pero aquí no (cosa que no contribuye a darle puntos al relato). También es el único en tercera persona y creo que se le va de las manos al autor. Un petardo de cuento.
"El último fumador" sí que funciona como caricatura, porque por lo demás es totalmente inverosímil (eso no es un problema). Normalete, pero entretenido.
"Hombres salmonela en el planeta Porno" es el relato principal del volumen, tanto por extensión como por ser el que da título al libro. La premisa (que recomiendo leer en clave de ciencia ficción, con un verdadero novum) me parece genial y la reflexión sobre el sexo como alternativa a la agresión como motor de la evolución y como piedra angular del equilibrio ecológico me parece todo un hallazgo, pero el desarrollo es desigual y lleno de altibajos, no sé si por la traducción o por un trabajo de caracterización mal desarrollado. El desenlace está muy bien llevado. Tengo sentimientos muy encontrados con este relato: creo que vale la pena leerlo y crearse una opinión propia, pero en última instancia creo que está lejos de la altura que podría haber alcanzado.
En conjunto me ha decepcionado bastante. Dará para una buena charla en el próximo The Spoiler Club.
El primer relato, "El bonsái Dabadaba", me parece divertido y simpático, como un episodio gamberrete de "La dimensión desconocida". Un poco previsible, en realidad, pero bien sin ser nada del otro mundo.
"Rumores sobre mí" es un buen relato y una buena metáfora sobre los medios de comunicación, aunque la conclusión es un poco anticlimática.
"El límite de la felicidad" es el relato con menos sentido del humor y el más punzante. Es el más claramente alegórico y también el que me parece más eficaz a todos los niveles. Para mí, el único relato excelente del volumen.
"El mundo se inclina" no me gusta en ninguno de sus aspecto, ni como relato literal ni como caricatura, por no mencionar el tono misógino gratuito. Esa misoginia está presente en otros (por no decir en la mayoría) de los relatos, pero en la mayoría se puede leer como crítica o sátira pero aquí no (cosa que no contribuye a darle puntos al relato). También es el único en tercera persona y creo que se le va de las manos al autor. Un petardo de cuento.
"El último fumador" sí que funciona como caricatura, porque por lo demás es totalmente inverosímil (eso no es un problema). Normalete, pero entretenido.
"Hombres salmonela en el planeta Porno" es el relato principal del volumen, tanto por extensión como por ser el que da título al libro. La premisa (que recomiendo leer en clave de ciencia ficción, con un verdadero novum) me parece genial y la reflexión sobre el sexo como alternativa a la agresión como motor de la evolución y como piedra angular del equilibrio ecológico me parece todo un hallazgo, pero el desarrollo es desigual y lleno de altibajos, no sé si por la traducción o por un trabajo de caracterización mal desarrollado. El desenlace está muy bien llevado. Tengo sentimientos muy encontrados con este relato: creo que vale la pena leerlo y crearse una opinión propia, pero en última instancia creo que está lejos de la altura que podría haber alcanzado.
En conjunto me ha decepcionado bastante. Dará para una buena charla en el próximo The Spoiler Club.
debumere's review against another edition
3.0
This was a book of short stories ranging from weird to absolutely bizarre. I can't decide how much I liked this so gave it three stars and remain on the fence.
One thing I did notice was that pretty much all the main characters in each story were male.
The first and last stories were sexual to the point of pure perversion (the last one especially) and it didn't sit too well on my pure mind. Considering I've read Tampa and Wetlands and so on this was just too far.
I would rate this at the top of the most weird books I've ever read. Wouldn't be venturing back to it but it was on my To Read list for years.
One thing I did notice was that pretty much all the main characters in each story were male.
The first and last stories were sexual to the point of pure perversion (the last one especially) and it didn't sit too well on my pure mind. Considering I've read Tampa and Wetlands and so on this was just too far.
I would rate this at the top of the most weird books I've ever read. Wouldn't be venturing back to it but it was on my To Read list for years.