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3.31 AVERAGE
3.31 AVERAGE
A weird book that I had really varied reactions to: some of the stories I thought were real garbage, weird ideas stretched out in uninteresting directions-- these are primarily the meta stories, I guess, and they didn't work for me because they were too interested at winking at their own cleverness.
Other stories, which were more about characters in weird situations, were better, though many of these, too, suffered from some really regressive anti-femininst misogyny. I mean, I found some of the attitudes toward gender pretty toxic, which was a disappointment because otherwise I really liked some of the stories that housed these attitudes.
And then there's the final story, which is honestly great, but not at all my thing: it is really pretty blatantly an argument about evolutionary theory loosely tied to a narrative. But the argument is bracing and interesting, and the narrative, unlike the other stories, includes sexually explicit content with almost no titillation at all. It's really almost clinical in the descriptions, like you imagine hard sci-fi is meant to be. The story is sort of outside my home genre, but it's easy to admire it for what it does: remaining serious in its investigation, and assuming a tone of absolute scientific control even in the face of rather priapic characters.
Other stories, which were more about characters in weird situations, were better, though many of these, too, suffered from some really regressive anti-femininst misogyny. I mean, I found some of the attitudes toward gender pretty toxic, which was a disappointment because otherwise I really liked some of the stories that housed these attitudes.
And then there's the final story, which is honestly great, but not at all my thing: it is really pretty blatantly an argument about evolutionary theory loosely tied to a narrative. But the argument is bracing and interesting, and the narrative, unlike the other stories, includes sexually explicit content with almost no titillation at all. It's really almost clinical in the descriptions, like you imagine hard sci-fi is meant to be. The story is sort of outside my home genre, but it's easy to admire it for what it does: remaining serious in its investigation, and assuming a tone of absolute scientific control even in the face of rather priapic characters.
An interesting collection of short stories that are fantastical and off beat. Whilst I didn't find all of them intriguing, I did like the ideas and the imaginative energy that went into them all and I think I'd like to read more from this author. I like the quirkiness of his point of view, the absurdities exagerated and the portrayal of authority and relationships.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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 :)