Reviews

March Was Made of Yarn by David Karashima, Elmer Luke

readingshrew's review

3.75

Favourites:
The Island of Eternal Life (Tawada Yoko)
March Yarn (Kawakami Mieko)
Box Story (Arikawa Tetsuya)
I liked the inclusion of the original Kawakami Hiromi story God Bless You as well as the new version. 

jcol's review

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

An incredible collection, loved all the short stories contained in it. My top 3:

1) The Island of Eternal Life by Tawada Yōko. The reason why I acquired this volume in the first place! A brief but intense origin and counterpart to her full lenght novel The Emissary
2) Little Eucalyptus Leaves by Murakami Ryu
3) Box Story by Akikawa Tetsuya

Honorable mentions:
- After the disaster, Before the disaster by David Peace. Made me cry over Akutagawa once again.
- Grandma's Bible by Natsuki Ikezawa

elsavaneden's review

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

curiousreader's review

3.0

This is my first short-story collection ever read. While some stories are rather cultural-specific, most of it really was just interesting and different perspectives on life and on humanity in general. Many of them could be interpreted in different ways, of course, but most leaving something behind. I particularly liked "The Charm", "Lulu", and "God Bless You, 2011", all of which I was tearing up while reading. I also have to say the introduction was very well-written, and the finale thing to make me read this book. It's really quite beautiful, and I will be sure to return to my favorite stories.