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nolitethoughts's review
5.0
The more I read Literary magazines the more I realize what people lose when they are only into books.
MONKEY - New Writing from Japan Volume 2. is exceptional in every way.
Professionally edited with gorgeous design and art throughout the whole volume.
Short, bite-sized stories keep you company as you travel along because it is supposed to feel like you are on a journey.
It was refreshing and nostalgic to read about travelling in a time when we had to stay home for a long time. I do feel like as long as I am free to think anything I want I am also able to travel and imagine absolutely everything and anything. On the other hand, once you had a taste of physically travelling, to meet the people, to taste their food discover their culture and learn from them (because there is always something to learn anywhere you go on this Blue Marble) you will miss it more than you think in a time when it is impossible to go as a tourist.
This is where this magazine made a beautiful imaginary bridge based on imagination and our memories of going out and experiencing the resonations of the land underneath our feet.
With names like Hideo Furukawa, Hiromi Ito, Seiko Ito, Hiromi Kawakami, Mieko Kawakami, Satoshi Kitamura, Jun’ichi Konuma, Aoko Matsuda, Taki Monma, Haruki Murakami, Hiroko Oyamada, Kyohei Sakaguchi, Tomoka Shibasaki and more you can’t be in better hands.
I truly enjoyed this journey and I also learned a lot. Can’t wait to go and see Japan again after all these years.
I would like to thank Stone Bridge Press for my free copy, you truly made my day.
Note: There are also amazing advertisements in the magazine about international books that don’t get as much hype as they should. I highly recommend it to check it out if you would like to read something that hasn’t been chewed to the bone by social media.
MONKEY - New Writing from Japan Volume 2. is exceptional in every way.
Professionally edited with gorgeous design and art throughout the whole volume.
Short, bite-sized stories keep you company as you travel along because it is supposed to feel like you are on a journey.
It was refreshing and nostalgic to read about travelling in a time when we had to stay home for a long time. I do feel like as long as I am free to think anything I want I am also able to travel and imagine absolutely everything and anything. On the other hand, once you had a taste of physically travelling, to meet the people, to taste their food discover their culture and learn from them (because there is always something to learn anywhere you go on this Blue Marble) you will miss it more than you think in a time when it is impossible to go as a tourist.
This is where this magazine made a beautiful imaginary bridge based on imagination and our memories of going out and experiencing the resonations of the land underneath our feet.
With names like Hideo Furukawa, Hiromi Ito, Seiko Ito, Hiromi Kawakami, Mieko Kawakami, Satoshi Kitamura, Jun’ichi Konuma, Aoko Matsuda, Taki Monma, Haruki Murakami, Hiroko Oyamada, Kyohei Sakaguchi, Tomoka Shibasaki and more you can’t be in better hands.
I truly enjoyed this journey and I also learned a lot. Can’t wait to go and see Japan again after all these years.
I would like to thank Stone Bridge Press for my free copy, you truly made my day.
Note: There are also amazing advertisements in the magazine about international books that don’t get as much hype as they should. I highly recommend it to check it out if you would like to read something that hasn’t been chewed to the bone by social media.
ulyazmh's review
3.0
The stories were okay, but the illustrations were top-notch! I like the ‘I can't translate this!’ section, where 12 translators gave remarks about words they found difficult to translate (or couldn’t find the equivalent word in their language). This part made me appreciate translators' efforts in keeping the tone and exact meaning of a story. This also made me want to learn more languages so I can read stories in their original language.
isamulti's review
3.0
Thanks to the editor and NetGalley for the copy.
This was a first read from the Monkey journal for me. I really enjoyed the large variety of texts offered. From a first connection with haiku to the escapism provided by the short stories. Most of all, I enjoyed reading Hiromi Kawakami's Sea Horse and totally loved the setting of Eric McCormack's The Trail. The art featured throughout the magazine was a nice addition and I wish I could have seen it in color instead of black and white on my ebook reader.
3,5/5
This was a first read from the Monkey journal for me. I really enjoyed the large variety of texts offered. From a first connection with haiku to the escapism provided by the short stories. Most of all, I enjoyed reading Hiromi Kawakami's Sea Horse and totally loved the setting of Eric McCormack's The Trail. The art featured throughout the magazine was a nice addition and I wish I could have seen it in color instead of black and white on my ebook reader.
3,5/5
emsemsems's review
5.0
Literary magazines are wildly underrated. Don’t sleep on them. This is surely one of the best literary magazines I’ve read in a long while. Brimming with writers and translators that I adore and admire to bits. It was so dreamy to read this. Agonisingly, with some self-control, I savoured it slowly and carefully – taking in every lush sentence that it has to offer. Haven’t read any previous issues because I the design of the covers didn’t appeal to me, but knowing now that this is fucking amazing, I’m tempted to go through all that came before.
If you have only time for one story, let it be for Hiromi Kawakami’s ‘Sea Horse’, gloriously translated by Ted Goossen. No surprise about this being the opening piece. Best thing I’ve ever read from Hiromi Kawakami. She truly peaks when she doesn’t write lengthy novels about young women pining over their elderly sensei(s). Ocean vibes, magical realism alluding to the soul-crushing urban life overwhelming with patriarchal dominance. The most interesting character being the narrator’s daughter who has multiple names (but of which is not revealed to the readers, what a fucking tease). Sofia Coppola could make a good film out of this story.
The entire collection's a lot of fun to read (even though Murakami’s essay was sadly, a let down; I wish it wasn’t, but it truly was). It reminded me of the joys of reading magazines (something I’ve not done much of lately). Adore how it was all so structured/arranged beautifully and carefully – accompanied by fab illustrations. Sam Bett? Polly Barton? It’s hard not to like. The later part of the collection is especially spectacular if you appreciate the art of creative translation. I, for one, am (mostly because I’ve been reading more and more brilliantly translated work; but also, as someone who speaks/understands multiple languages – it truly makes me wonder – to ‘dabble’/even to commit to someday if it suits). Absolutely adore the translators’ notes. I have, of recent, watched (Korean/English translator) Anton Hur’s interview about his work (here) – about how it takes a lot of persistence and ‘energy’. Of how ‘translation’ is done through one’s body – essentially. All of it just makes me even more curious about the creative art of translation. Nothing makes one appreciate ‘good’ translation more than the experience of having read badly translated work. This is something that I’ve inevitably come to realise after a few disappointing reads (of which I will not name; no need for unnecessary cruelty).
In terms of the simple and pure enjoyment of reading Japanese literature, if you crave for more than just Murakami, well, this is certainly the perfect, well-curated selection to indulge in. Poetry, essays, and stories. Whatever you’re in the mood for. I want to read it all over and over again. I will. Might even pass it around. What’s that overused McCandless line from [b:Into the Wild|1845|Into the Wild|Jon Krakauer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1634587789l/1845._SY75_.jpg|3284484]? ‘Happiness is only real, when shared’.
If you have only time for one story, let it be for Hiromi Kawakami’s ‘Sea Horse’, gloriously translated by Ted Goossen. No surprise about this being the opening piece. Best thing I’ve ever read from Hiromi Kawakami. She truly peaks when she doesn’t write lengthy novels about young women pining over their elderly sensei(s). Ocean vibes, magical realism alluding to the soul-crushing urban life overwhelming with patriarchal dominance. The most interesting character being the narrator’s daughter who has multiple names (but of which is not revealed to the readers, what a fucking tease). Sofia Coppola could make a good film out of this story.
‘My fourth child never misses work at the video shop. Even on her off days, she’s always willing to fill in for her colleagues if asked. The shop at night relaxes her, she says. It feels like the night sea…I quietly call her name as I watch her from the darkness. Bathed in the fluorescent lights, she has no idea I am here. Their brightness makes her form blurry, indistinct. There in the cold light, she seems to be melting away.
‘Our house is used to these late-night comings and goings. Small night creatures squeeze in through the tiny holes in the wall…Like the firefly squid of the northern sea, they flash on and off, off and on, always eluding my grasp.’
The entire collection's a lot of fun to read (even though Murakami’s essay was sadly, a let down; I wish it wasn’t, but it truly was). It reminded me of the joys of reading magazines (something I’ve not done much of lately). Adore how it was all so structured/arranged beautifully and carefully – accompanied by fab illustrations. Sam Bett? Polly Barton? It’s hard not to like. The later part of the collection is especially spectacular if you appreciate the art of creative translation. I, for one, am (mostly because I’ve been reading more and more brilliantly translated work; but also, as someone who speaks/understands multiple languages – it truly makes me wonder – to ‘dabble’/even to commit to someday if it suits). Absolutely adore the translators’ notes. I have, of recent, watched (Korean/English translator) Anton Hur’s interview about his work (here) – about how it takes a lot of persistence and ‘energy’. Of how ‘translation’ is done through one’s body – essentially. All of it just makes me even more curious about the creative art of translation. Nothing makes one appreciate ‘good’ translation more than the experience of having read badly translated work. This is something that I’ve inevitably come to realise after a few disappointing reads (of which I will not name; no need for unnecessary cruelty).
In terms of the simple and pure enjoyment of reading Japanese literature, if you crave for more than just Murakami, well, this is certainly the perfect, well-curated selection to indulge in. Poetry, essays, and stories. Whatever you’re in the mood for. I want to read it all over and over again. I will. Might even pass it around. What’s that overused McCandless line from [b:Into the Wild|1845|Into the Wild|Jon Krakauer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1634587789l/1845._SY75_.jpg|3284484]? ‘Happiness is only real, when shared’.
shonatiger's review
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and to Stone Bridge Press for this eARC.
What a lovely, refreshing read. A mix of poetry, non-fiction and short fiction in translation, this was beautifully laid out, with wonderful illustrations. So much eye and brain candy in one volume.
Some of my favourite reads:
Hell, by Kikuko Tsumura
The Overcoat, a graphic story by Satoshi Kitamura
Whale Leg, by Laird Hunt
The Trail, by Eric McCormack (looking forward to reading the novel)
Itō Goes On A Journey, Making a Pilgrimage to Yuda Hot Springs, by Hiromi Itō.
I especially enjoyed the remarks from translators at the end of the volume, about the words and ideas they find hard to translate into English.
Well worth a read.
Rated: 7/10.
What a lovely, refreshing read. A mix of poetry, non-fiction and short fiction in translation, this was beautifully laid out, with wonderful illustrations. So much eye and brain candy in one volume.
Some of my favourite reads:
Hell, by Kikuko Tsumura
The Overcoat, a graphic story by Satoshi Kitamura
Whale Leg, by Laird Hunt
The Trail, by Eric McCormack (looking forward to reading the novel)
Itō Goes On A Journey, Making a Pilgrimage to Yuda Hot Springs, by Hiromi Itō.
I especially enjoyed the remarks from translators at the end of the volume, about the words and ideas they find hard to translate into English.
Well worth a read.
Rated: 7/10.
rin_84's review
4.0
This is my first time reading this rather interesting literary magazine actually. The thing is, i chanced upon this magazine one day while i was browsing through Kinokuniya Malaysia's website.
That accidental incident was what prompted me to request for this magazine here from NetGalley which otherwise i might not have known its existence. Anyhow,i am glad that i did read this magazine for i find the contents featured to be rather interesting mix of everything!; from short stories to curated poems to colourful strips cartoon to autobiography!. I loved the beautiful and vibrant paintings and illustrations too!.
Through this magazine, i learned of a lot of new and unfamiliar names which i have never known or heard before,from both the past writers to the most recent and contemporary writers.
Each stories gave different kinds of reading experiences for me,conveys different themes and moods and injected a variety of emotions in me. Some stories were weird (unfortunately too weird and quite nonsensical to my liking especially the stories featured at the front/earlier sections of the magazine,which almost causing me to lose a little bit of interest).
Fortunately, i am glad that i persevere and brace through until the end as i find my interest level heighten as i progressed from the middle sections until the end of the magazine where i came across one interesting stories after another. But at some point towards the middle, my attention spans dwindled down a bit as some stories can get pretty boring,whatmore the tiny,microscopic font sizes is among the factors that dampened my reading speed and made me lose my interest at times since i am reading from my phone screen.
Then, came the story of Murakami's funny as hell jogging in Southern Europe to the rescue which brighten my mood and perks up my interest again and then the sudden surge of more interesting stories after another. Some left me laughing, some made me cried and some just left me in total bewilderment and perplexity. There is one story that hits reality,so close to my own current situation where the character is taking care of an elderly family member which is her grandma, and as for me, which is my own aging and disable mother. So i find the situations faced by the character as the sole caregiver to be totally relatable to my own!.
Long story short, i enjoyed reading this magazine. I enjoyed its travel theme so much as it brought me travelling into various places. Some places were historical or based on legends, some were adventurous, some were surreal and imaginative,some were suspenseful and downright scary and some were sad and lonely. So, i recommend this magazine to anyone who wants to experience all of these various emotions.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to access the e-ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
That accidental incident was what prompted me to request for this magazine here from NetGalley which otherwise i might not have known its existence. Anyhow,i am glad that i did read this magazine for i find the contents featured to be rather interesting mix of everything!; from short stories to curated poems to colourful strips cartoon to autobiography!. I loved the beautiful and vibrant paintings and illustrations too!.
Through this magazine, i learned of a lot of new and unfamiliar names which i have never known or heard before,from both the past writers to the most recent and contemporary writers.
Each stories gave different kinds of reading experiences for me,conveys different themes and moods and injected a variety of emotions in me. Some stories were weird (unfortunately too weird and quite nonsensical to my liking especially the stories featured at the front/earlier sections of the magazine,which almost causing me to lose a little bit of interest).
Fortunately, i am glad that i persevere and brace through until the end as i find my interest level heighten as i progressed from the middle sections until the end of the magazine where i came across one interesting stories after another. But at some point towards the middle, my attention spans dwindled down a bit as some stories can get pretty boring,whatmore the tiny,microscopic font sizes is among the factors that dampened my reading speed and made me lose my interest at times since i am reading from my phone screen.
Then, came the story of Murakami's funny as hell jogging in Southern Europe to the rescue which brighten my mood and perks up my interest again and then the sudden surge of more interesting stories after another. Some left me laughing, some made me cried and some just left me in total bewilderment and perplexity. There is one story that hits reality,so close to my own current situation where the character is taking care of an elderly family member which is her grandma, and as for me, which is my own aging and disable mother. So i find the situations faced by the character as the sole caregiver to be totally relatable to my own!.
Long story short, i enjoyed reading this magazine. I enjoyed its travel theme so much as it brought me travelling into various places. Some places were historical or based on legends, some were adventurous, some were surreal and imaginative,some were suspenseful and downright scary and some were sad and lonely. So, i recommend this magazine to anyone who wants to experience all of these various emotions.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to access the e-ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
petewilloughby's review
3.0
This is a magazine primarily about contemporary Japanese Fiction in Translation, including Haiku and Noh plays. It also includes some other contemporary works that have been translated to Japanese (in English in the English edition). There is also a section on the difficulties faced by translators, because for example of the uniqueness of certain words to one language.
I really enjoyed the story by Eric McCormack, I wasn’t aware of his work and will seek it out.
Haruki Murakami is always a joy to read, and this issue includes an update to and old story of his.
The theme of the issue is travel.
Japanese writing is becoming increasingly popular in the West, partly due to the improvement in translations becoming available. There have also been many excellent Japanese writers winning awards in the West.
We are now becoming aware of some aspects of the Japanese culture and mind, and so better understand the meaning of the Japanese writings.
I enjoyed this experience overall and recommend all open-minded readers to try this volume or any of the others.
My thanks to the publisher for an advanced copy for honest review.
I really enjoyed the story by Eric McCormack, I wasn’t aware of his work and will seek it out.
Haruki Murakami is always a joy to read, and this issue includes an update to and old story of his.
The theme of the issue is travel.
Japanese writing is becoming increasingly popular in the West, partly due to the improvement in translations becoming available. There have also been many excellent Japanese writers winning awards in the West.
We are now becoming aware of some aspects of the Japanese culture and mind, and so better understand the meaning of the Japanese writings.
I enjoyed this experience overall and recommend all open-minded readers to try this volume or any of the others.
My thanks to the publisher for an advanced copy for honest review.
snowwhitehatesapples's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Review can also be found at Snow White Hates Apples.
An annual anthology that focuses on contemporary Japanese literature, MONKEY New Writing from Japan contains short stories, poetry, essays, novel excerpts, and more that have been translated to English. Paired with these pieces are illustrations created using various mediums, creating a feast for the eyes and mind.
This specific volume of MONKEY focuses on the theme of travel. It kicks off with 'Sea Horse', a gorgeous, magical piece by Hiromi Kawakami whose brilliance shines brighter than ever when she writes short stories. I'm completely in love with the imagery, magical realism, and social commentary woven into the narrative.
Following this strong start is Tomoka Shibasaki's 'A woman hears an announcement on the radio that war has broken out, relatives arrive at her house seeking refuge, when the war ends they leave, then a civil war breaks out'. It's an impressively long title which I admittedly didn't bother reading in its entirely, but the short story has some of the most memorable and thought-provoking lines.
Then, we have 'The Overcoat', a graphic story by Satoshi Kitamura; Kikuko Tsumura's 'Hell' which tells the tale of a women's afterlife; a poem by Mieko Kawakami; excerpts of Hideo Furukawa's novel City of Ears ; and other carefully curated pieces to complete this anthology. Aside from the first two that stood out to me, I greatly enjoyed 'Kurozuka: a Noh Play', 'Five Modern Poets on Travel', Yasunari Kawabata's touching 'From the Northern Sea', and the final section where twelve translators briefly shared their thoughts on words they have difficulties with translating into a different language.
Both the modern rendition of the Noh play and the remarks by the twelve translators were intriguing. I loved the imagery and emotions evoked by the poems in 'Five Modern Poets on Travel' and found the inclusion of the original Japanese poem alongside the translated version a delightful touch that allowed me to enjoy both. As for 'From the Northern Sea', I found it gentle, kind, and empowering. It's a short story I'm sure I will return to constantly to find the strength the narrator did to carry on with her life.
Admittedly, some pieces felt out of place in this anthology, but in overall, MONKEY is an impressive literary journal that any fan of Japanese literature would love to have in their possession.
An annual anthology that focuses on contemporary Japanese literature, MONKEY New Writing from Japan contains short stories, poetry, essays, novel excerpts, and more that have been translated to English. Paired with these pieces are illustrations created using various mediums, creating a feast for the eyes and mind.
This specific volume of MONKEY focuses on the theme of travel. It kicks off with 'Sea Horse', a gorgeous, magical piece by Hiromi Kawakami whose brilliance shines brighter than ever when she writes short stories. I'm completely in love with the imagery, magical realism, and social commentary woven into the narrative.
Following this strong start is Tomoka Shibasaki's 'A woman hears an announcement on the radio that war has broken out, relatives arrive at her house seeking refuge, when the war ends they leave, then a civil war breaks out'. It's an impressively long title which I admittedly didn't bother reading in its entirely, but the short story has some of the most memorable and thought-provoking lines.
Then, we have 'The Overcoat', a graphic story by Satoshi Kitamura; Kikuko Tsumura's 'Hell' which tells the tale of a women's afterlife; a poem by Mieko Kawakami; excerpts of Hideo Furukawa's novel City of Ears ; and other carefully curated pieces to complete this anthology. Aside from the first two that stood out to me, I greatly enjoyed 'Kurozuka: a Noh Play', 'Five Modern Poets on Travel', Yasunari Kawabata's touching 'From the Northern Sea', and the final section where twelve translators briefly shared their thoughts on words they have difficulties with translating into a different language.
Both the modern rendition of the Noh play and the remarks by the twelve translators were intriguing. I loved the imagery and emotions evoked by the poems in 'Five Modern Poets on Travel' and found the inclusion of the original Japanese poem alongside the translated version a delightful touch that allowed me to enjoy both. As for 'From the Northern Sea', I found it gentle, kind, and empowering. It's a short story I'm sure I will return to constantly to find the strength the narrator did to carry on with her life.
Admittedly, some pieces felt out of place in this anthology, but in overall, MONKEY is an impressive literary journal that any fan of Japanese literature would love to have in their possession.
Thank you so much for this ARC, Netgalley and MONKEY! I received this it in exchange for an honest review.
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