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choreomanic's review
4.0
writing a review months after reading this but
the nighthawk star - 3/5 it was cute!!
signal and signalless - 2/5 very boring im sorry
night on the galactic railroad - 5/5 i love gay people
the nighthawk star - 3/5 it was cute!!
signal and signalless - 2/5 very boring im sorry
night on the galactic railroad - 5/5 i love gay people
eudaemonics's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
At first I didn’t really get this story, but after sleeping on it, reading a few thoughts about it online, and thinking about the context in which it was written and published, I think I understand it a bit better…
I can’t say I agree with some of its messages
- self-sacrifice is the greatest thing you can do in life
- we are on earth purely to make others happy
...but I do agree with others
- everyone is searching for ways to make their life fulfilling, and that looks different for everyone.
- The things we cherish won’t last forever, and people or things can suddenly die or disappear but we should use our memory of them to live a full life.
- Death is not some grand event but it is quiet, sudden, and happens without notice.
Night on the Galactic Railroad is definitely leaning into the Buddhist view of the afterlife and the spirit, which makes sense considering Miyazawa’s background. I found Giovanni to be a compelling character in his selfishness and reluctance to let go of Campanelli, even though their relationship felt vague and ambiguous. Much of their friendship was left to the readers' imagination. The journey Giovanni and Campanelli take on the train is almost like Dante’s journey through hell to me, but obviously in a different context and almost dealing with a heaven-like vision of the after life instead of hell and purgatory.
It was easy to tell that it was an unfinished story, there are some parts in the middle that feel out of place or unpolished, and I wonder if we would have gotten to know more about how Giovanni and Campanelli became friends. But it being written after Miyazawa lost his sister and then published posthumously makes the story make more sense.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death
sophia_a_a's review
2.0
wasnt necessarily a bad book, just didnt match my tastes. i kind of had high expectations because i thought it would be similar to undefeated by the rain or the restaurant of many orders, but it wasnt like those at all. each story was written nicely, but lacked something that i cant quite describe. it was okay and was a quick read so im not too upset about it. there was a few quotes i liked, such as "if my death were to be of help to others, i wouldnt mind if my body went up into flames" or something along those lines, but not much of the themes or storyline stuck with me afterwards.
pasarmalam's review against another edition
5.0
For several minutes Giovanni stood there daydreaming about whether the sky really was filled with scorpions and warriors, and how much he'd love to walk forever and ever through that sky.
(Heavily subjective review)
This is the closest i could get to read the perfect book. Even the title itself is already perfect [sobs in 銀河鉄道の夜]. I like to imagine the beautiful painting series of stars and fields by Vincent van Gogh while reading this. I've always been wondering why most of Japanese astronomy-themed songs always mention both star and train, as if they are both inseparable, now i think Miyazawa Kenji was the person who started it all. It was also the reason why i started to write short story with similar theme. It's like watching at the origin of this genre (if i can call it a genre), as if this story was written specifically for me. I love it so much. I think i have simply fallen in love with Miyazawa Kenji's writing.
(Heavily subjective review)
This is the closest i could get to read the perfect book. Even the title itself is already perfect [sobs in 銀河鉄道の夜]. I like to imagine the beautiful painting series of stars and fields by Vincent van Gogh while reading this. I've always been wondering why most of Japanese astronomy-themed songs always mention both star and train, as if they are both inseparable, now i think Miyazawa Kenji was the person who started it all. It was also the reason why i started to write short story with similar theme. It's like watching at the origin of this genre (if i can call it a genre), as if this story was written specifically for me. I love it so much. I think i have simply fallen in love with Miyazawa Kenji's writing.
interlibraryloan's review
3.0
Galaxy as a metaphor my beloved. An enchanting collection, even if the stories weren’t necessarily to my liking. I did enjoy The Star-circling Song and Night on the Galactic Railroad, the latter of which seems to be caught in a place of untranslatability—the English hiding something more profound despite the translator’s efforts (sorry Julianne Neville). Still, a heartfelt read.
heathbc's review
4.0
Between the shores, the river flowed as quietly as death. p.109
When I was in elementary school, I participated in an after school storyteller club. We memorized and acted out short children’s stories such as Aesop’s fables. Then we’d go perform the stories for children in the younger grades. The story that I always told on my own was “The Crow and the Water Jug.” Miyazawa’s timeless-feeling fables in this collection reminded me of my love for that club. If I had known of his writing then, I’m sure I would have loved to recite and act out “The Nighthawk Star” short story.
While the crow in the Aesop’s Fable collection was revered for its persistence and thinking outside of the box, Miyazawa’s nighthawk was relatable as an outcast and looking for escape. To kids, I think the nighthawk is a sympathetic figure, longing for a place to belong. It’s really easy to feel like you’re not in the right place, that there’s got to be something greater ahead, a place where you fit in.
Night on the Galactic Railroad is a story I’ve been meaning to read for a long time. I was first introduced to the story when I was beginning my Japanese language studies and was in the astronomy club. Although this time I read it in English, I’d like to come back to the story next year and read it in Japanese.
There was a lot of symbolism going on in the story that reminded me of trying to read parables from the Bible as a kid. If I read this as a child, I would have picked up on basic messages of being kind to others while being vaguely aware that there was much more being said that I couldn’t quite pick up on yet because I wasn’t an adult.
The back of the book said that this story would result in the characters “learning the true meaning of friendship, happiness, and life itself.” I think that description is a disservice to the book. To me, that’s not what the quote below was conveying.
“No one knows what true happiness is, least of all me. But no matter how hard it is, if you keep to the path you deem to be true, you can overcome any mountain. With each step in that direction, people come closer to happiness,” said the lighthouse keeper, comfortingly.
“I agree,” said the young man, closing his eyes as if in prayer, “but to reach the truest happiness, one must make their way through many sorrows.” p. 87
I think that Miyazawa wanted to provide some kind of hint for children who are just beginning the lifetime journey that is trying to figure out what the point of being alive is. The best children’s books address real, complicated questions that children ask. We don’t have simple answers to kids who ask “Why was I born?” and “Why do people die?” It’s easy for us adults to shy away from honestly answering those questions because we have no idea if the answer, if we even have one, is good enough. Metaphors and storytelling are an imaginative way of taking children’s questions seriously. I think the sentiment in the following quote captures the way a child, given agency, can see the world.
I’m no longer afraid, even of a darkness, as fathomless as that is. I’m sure true happiness can even be found within it. Let’s search for it…however long it takes, or however far we must go. p. 107
Lastly, I think Night on the Galactic Railway makes even more sense when considering Miyazawa’s background. The translator’s note at the beginning states how Miyazawa’s family were merchants who took advantage of farmers and the working class. He wanted nothing to do with that life. In modern times, the ideas expressed below fall in-line with critiques on capitalism.
Oh, God. How many lives have I stolen to survive? Yet when it came my turn to be eaten by the weasel, I selfishly ran away. And for what? What a waste my life has been! If only I’d let the weasel eat me, I could have helped him live another day. God, please hear my prayer. Even if my life has been meaningless, let my death be of help to others. Burn my body so that it may become a beacon, to light the way for others as they search for true happiness. p. 101 (definitely gave me Joan of Arc vibes)
Rather than being saved by sacrificing others, I thought it might be better for us to see God together. p.86
elf_0203's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0