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snowwhitehatesapples's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Also on Snow White Hates Apples.
Which is the truth? Which is the lie?
In a Grove by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa cleverly explores the way people perceive an event (in this case, a terrible one involving the murder of a samurai); their willingness to share the truthful, completely objective and unbiased recitation of their perspective; and how the human mind can fool one into believing what is false to be truthful and vice versa.
Without providing any clear distinction between what is true or false, we're simply given seven accounts of the murder and it's up to us to puzzle it out. However, the answer we come up with would most likely be the same as the accounts: simultaneously true and untrue because unless Akutagawa opens the box for us, Schrödinger's cat is both dead and alive.
Nevertheless, as clever as this story is, it's too concise for my preference. Adding a little more to this story — like depth and explorations of the human psyche together with what's already been done — would've made In a Grove more impactful.
Which is the truth? Which is the lie?
In a Grove by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa cleverly explores the way people perceive an event (in this case, a terrible one involving the murder of a samurai); their willingness to share the truthful, completely objective and unbiased recitation of their perspective; and how the human mind can fool one into believing what is false to be truthful and vice versa.
Without providing any clear distinction between what is true or false, we're simply given seven accounts of the murder and it's up to us to puzzle it out. However, the answer we come up with would most likely be the same as the accounts: simultaneously true and untrue because unless Akutagawa opens the box for us, Schrödinger's cat is both dead and alive.
Nevertheless, as clever as this story is, it's too concise for my preference. Adding a little more to this story — like depth and explorations of the human psyche together with what's already been done — would've made In a Grove more impactful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
rory_john14's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexism, Murder, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Gore, Blood, Suicide, Rape, and Death
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Gaslighting
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