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fliplock's review
3.0
It can be finished within a day if you are enterprising enough.
Several short stories , some which makes you think more about human nature.
Several short stories , some which makes you think more about human nature.
shyshanghai's review
1.0
the first story and then a year of coffee and cake were enjoyable. the rest was just repulsive, especially the stories about white women. you know you have the privilege to choose to stay in the global north right?
alysonimagines's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
baklavopita's review
4.0
I bought this book on an early March trip to Manhattan at Kinokuniya USA. Fabulous bookstore!
The first things I noticed when I opened up this book were the illustrations, both inside the front and back covers and periodically throughout the book. I was not expecting illustrations in this collection of stories, and they were always a delightful contribution. The stories are a mix of time--from the 1600s to current day. The different times lent themselves well to different styles for the stories, and I enjoyed that. Some stories struck a chord more than others, but none disappointed. Otowa showed good character development. I'm not sure that I gained as good a sense of setting, something I would have really appreciated in a book set in Japan.
The first things I noticed when I opened up this book were the illustrations, both inside the front and back covers and periodically throughout the book. I was not expecting illustrations in this collection of stories, and they were always a delightful contribution. The stories are a mix of time--from the 1600s to current day. The different times lent themselves well to different styles for the stories, and I enjoyed that. Some stories struck a chord more than others, but none disappointed. Otowa showed good character development. I'm not sure that I gained as good a sense of setting, something I would have really appreciated in a book set in Japan.
sakisreads's review
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
✨ Thrifted ✨
Unfortunately this wasn’t for me 🥲 Although there were some great short stories (my favourites were ‘The Rescuers’ about figures on a train platform and ‘The Turtle Stone’ about a traditional sweets shop being passed down and changing throughout generations), I didn’t feel very much throughout this book. Maybe I wasn’t reading it at the right time, but I definitely did feel as though Rebecca Otowa had painted the Japanese people as ‘docile’ (which didn’t sit right with me 😫). All in all, I’d rate it 2.5 stars I think! Although it had some nice stories, most of them felt reductive.
Unfortunately this wasn’t for me 🥲 Although there were some great short stories (my favourites were ‘The Rescuers’ about figures on a train platform and ‘The Turtle Stone’ about a traditional sweets shop being passed down and changing throughout generations), I didn’t feel very much throughout this book. Maybe I wasn’t reading it at the right time, but I definitely did feel as though Rebecca Otowa had painted the Japanese people as ‘docile’ (which didn’t sit right with me 😫). All in all, I’d rate it 2.5 stars I think! Although it had some nice stories, most of them felt reductive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
lisadakeii's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Sexism
weehoursreads's review
3.0
"Instead of smiling politely and thanking him for doing so much work, her eyes lowered, as a proper woman would, she had looked him in the face and told him exactly what she thought. She was in a weak position - she was someone who would never belong, no matter how hard she tried. But this didn't seem to bother her. Was it a Western thing? She had an air of no caring whether she belonged or not."
▪︎
"I found myself trapped between these two personas - the foreigner who could never fit in and the would-be Japanese who might one day, possibly, fit in. What I didn't realise was that my fitting in was meaningless. The idea of it had no substance."
▪︎
'The Mad Kyoto Shoe Swapper" by Rebecca Otowa has such a quirky, whimsical-sounding title but the book was somewhat repetitive in the theme of the foreigner that doesn't quite seem to fit in with the rest of Japanese society. Pleasant, but bland, and doesn't quite leave an impression even though there were a few stories that I enjoyed. 3.2 stars.
▪︎
"I found myself trapped between these two personas - the foreigner who could never fit in and the would-be Japanese who might one day, possibly, fit in. What I didn't realise was that my fitting in was meaningless. The idea of it had no substance."
▪︎
'The Mad Kyoto Shoe Swapper" by Rebecca Otowa has such a quirky, whimsical-sounding title but the book was somewhat repetitive in the theme of the foreigner that doesn't quite seem to fit in with the rest of Japanese society. Pleasant, but bland, and doesn't quite leave an impression even though there were a few stories that I enjoyed. 3.2 stars.
gioweavingtales's review
4.0
“She clearly remembered the mustering of the local boys as they boarded buses to be taken to the train station and then off to war. And their mothers, dressed in their best with blinding white aprons, waving little Rising Sun flags distributed by the government, the fluttering red and white hiding the faces fighting back tears.” ― Rebecca Otowa
This amazing short story collection travels ages with stories about family, friendship, gender, immigration, technology, and gentrification. "The Mad Kyoto Shoe Swapper and Other Short Stories from Japan" is beautifully written to show how an outsider can be so authentic.
BR
This amazing short story collection travels ages with stories about family, friendship, gender, immigration, technology, and gentrification. "The Mad Kyoto Shoe Swapper and Other Short Stories from Japan" is beautifully written to show how an outsider can be so authentic.
BR
amalia1985's review
5.0
‘’Well, don’t. You’re a foreigner. You have to understand it’s not our business. We don’t interfere. It’s the Japanese way.’’
Thirteen exquisite stories written by an American woman who married into a Japanese family, and moved in the Land of the Rising Sun. Stories of love, family, marriage, motherhood, duty, heritage. Stories of silence and secrecy. Stories of convictions and an all-powerful desire to hide everything under the carpet. Stories of people for whom the phrase ‘’if we don’t speak about it, it doesn’t exist’’ gas become a daily adoration.
‘’And, of course, lots of them were looking at their phones. The universal pose of modern man. If we don’t watch out, our spines will curve back into a Neanderthal shape, and our evolution will start going backwards.’’
Well, we are worse than that, actually. It is derogatory for the Neanderthal man to be compared to our sorrowful, pathetic contemporary existence when education and respect have been substituted by selfies, sexual obsession and ignorance.
The Rescuer: A kind spirit has the responsibility of rescuing idiots (I mean, careless passengers…) who are glued on their phones in a station in Tokyo.
‘’And now you’ve deserted me. You’ve gone to the Pure Land and I’m left in Hell.’’
Genbei’s Curse: A young woman is left to care for her tyrannical father0in-law. But life works in mysterious ways and, ultimately, in circles…
‘’The day of the trial by fire dawned bright and crisp. A fine white ground most was already dissipating in the mild warmth of the rising sun. The tall cypresses looked down on the shore, absolutely motionless, their dark depths pierced with slanting sunbeams.’’
Trial By Fire: The incredible, true story of the dispute between two villages that had to be decided through a trial by fire.
‘’How could anyone just say no when asked to do something? Especially a woman? She tried to remember if she had ever done such a thing.’’
Love and Duty: An American teacher tries to explain the different meaning of Valentine’s Day to a Japanese coworker. But this isn’t actually about opposing cultural perceptions. It’s about a culture that dictates women to be silent, complacent and obedient.
‘’Ah! There was the shrine, the cedars still standing tall, clumps of snow sticking to their dull green sides. And here was the corner of the shopping street. But there was no steam rising from the metal chimneys.’’
The Turtle Stone: The story of a traditional sweet shop and its unique decoration through the eyes of its owner.
>Rhododendron Valley
‘’My children! You have taken away my children! Where are they?’’
Uncle Trash: An elderly resident has filled his house with old paper, clothes and various objects, taking hoarding to a whole new level. When his family decides to put an end to this without even asking him, all Hell breaks loose. A brilliant story about the ignorance with which we treat elderly people and a shocking ending.
Watch Again: A young woman meets her estranged husband in the metro. A husband that wanted children because his father demanded it. A husband who wanted his ‘’food’’ cooked by his wife, a husband who resented her success, a husband who wanted a slave, not a companion. Can there really be a second chance when a woman has to put up with this attitude? Can he actually change? My answer is a huge, written in neon: NO!
Showa Girl: The writer narrates the childhood and adolescence of her mother-in-law. A story of quiet beauty.
‘’These people were going to squeeze her between them till there was nothing left.’’
A Year Of Coffee and Cake: Two women, an American and a Japanese, bond over cakes and family troubles. Amanda is asphyxiating in her marriage, and her neighbour provides a pleasant destruction. But is she actually what she seems? This story will shock you to the very end.
Three Village Trees: A teacher contemplates on the changes of her students. A young man who was abused by his father exacts his revenge. A worker seeks recognition. Three village tales of a frustrating reality.
‘’I’m trudging over beige winter grass under a tumultuous sky. Wool from my hat tickles my eyebrows, and from my scarf is damp and cold on my cheek. Wind pushes at my back. Cold arms, cold legs, eyes tearing up, nose running. I prospect in my pocket for the wad of tissues I always carry on winter walks. A mountain dusted with snow looms in the distance across the rice fields.’’
Rachel and Leah: A foreign woman married to a Japanese family contemplates on her husband’s expectation, her own wishes and constant compromises, illness and honesty.
The Mad Kyoto Show Swapper: The tender story of a young man with the habit of swapping shows, and a deep love for Casablanca, set in the uniquely beautiful city of Kyoto.
Stories inspired by anecdotes, Ottawa’s husband’s family myths, personal experiences, actual occurrences, observations and incidents that have been taken place in urban areas, compose a collection that is both sensitive and raw, and an eloquent depiction of the cultural gap that sometimes we are unable to bridge.
‘’She doesn’t know me. Even my son doesn’t know me. They all think they know me, they think they have pinned me down, just another slightly troublesome older woman. They think it’s all right to stop thinking about me.’’
My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/
Thirteen exquisite stories written by an American woman who married into a Japanese family, and moved in the Land of the Rising Sun. Stories of love, family, marriage, motherhood, duty, heritage. Stories of silence and secrecy. Stories of convictions and an all-powerful desire to hide everything under the carpet. Stories of people for whom the phrase ‘’if we don’t speak about it, it doesn’t exist’’ gas become a daily adoration.
‘’And, of course, lots of them were looking at their phones. The universal pose of modern man. If we don’t watch out, our spines will curve back into a Neanderthal shape, and our evolution will start going backwards.’’
Well, we are worse than that, actually. It is derogatory for the Neanderthal man to be compared to our sorrowful, pathetic contemporary existence when education and respect have been substituted by selfies, sexual obsession and ignorance.
The Rescuer: A kind spirit has the responsibility of rescuing idiots (I mean, careless passengers…) who are glued on their phones in a station in Tokyo.
‘’And now you’ve deserted me. You’ve gone to the Pure Land and I’m left in Hell.’’
Genbei’s Curse: A young woman is left to care for her tyrannical father0in-law. But life works in mysterious ways and, ultimately, in circles…
‘’The day of the trial by fire dawned bright and crisp. A fine white ground most was already dissipating in the mild warmth of the rising sun. The tall cypresses looked down on the shore, absolutely motionless, their dark depths pierced with slanting sunbeams.’’
Trial By Fire: The incredible, true story of the dispute between two villages that had to be decided through a trial by fire.
‘’How could anyone just say no when asked to do something? Especially a woman? She tried to remember if she had ever done such a thing.’’
Love and Duty: An American teacher tries to explain the different meaning of Valentine’s Day to a Japanese coworker. But this isn’t actually about opposing cultural perceptions. It’s about a culture that dictates women to be silent, complacent and obedient.
‘’Ah! There was the shrine, the cedars still standing tall, clumps of snow sticking to their dull green sides. And here was the corner of the shopping street. But there was no steam rising from the metal chimneys.’’
The Turtle Stone: The story of a traditional sweet shop and its unique decoration through the eyes of its owner.
>Rhododendron Valley
‘’My children! You have taken away my children! Where are they?’’
Uncle Trash: An elderly resident has filled his house with old paper, clothes and various objects, taking hoarding to a whole new level. When his family decides to put an end to this without even asking him, all Hell breaks loose. A brilliant story about the ignorance with which we treat elderly people and a shocking ending.
Watch Again: A young woman meets her estranged husband in the metro. A husband that wanted children because his father demanded it. A husband who wanted his ‘’food’’ cooked by his wife, a husband who resented her success, a husband who wanted a slave, not a companion. Can there really be a second chance when a woman has to put up with this attitude? Can he actually change? My answer is a huge, written in neon: NO!
Showa Girl: The writer narrates the childhood and adolescence of her mother-in-law. A story of quiet beauty.
‘’These people were going to squeeze her between them till there was nothing left.’’
A Year Of Coffee and Cake: Two women, an American and a Japanese, bond over cakes and family troubles. Amanda is asphyxiating in her marriage, and her neighbour provides a pleasant destruction. But is she actually what she seems? This story will shock you to the very end.
Three Village Trees: A teacher contemplates on the changes of her students. A young man who was abused by his father exacts his revenge. A worker seeks recognition. Three village tales of a frustrating reality.
‘’I’m trudging over beige winter grass under a tumultuous sky. Wool from my hat tickles my eyebrows, and from my scarf is damp and cold on my cheek. Wind pushes at my back. Cold arms, cold legs, eyes tearing up, nose running. I prospect in my pocket for the wad of tissues I always carry on winter walks. A mountain dusted with snow looms in the distance across the rice fields.’’
Rachel and Leah: A foreign woman married to a Japanese family contemplates on her husband’s expectation, her own wishes and constant compromises, illness and honesty.
The Mad Kyoto Show Swapper: The tender story of a young man with the habit of swapping shows, and a deep love for Casablanca, set in the uniquely beautiful city of Kyoto.
Stories inspired by anecdotes, Ottawa’s husband’s family myths, personal experiences, actual occurrences, observations and incidents that have been taken place in urban areas, compose a collection that is both sensitive and raw, and an eloquent depiction of the cultural gap that sometimes we are unable to bridge.
‘’She doesn’t know me. Even my son doesn’t know me. They all think they know me, they think they have pinned me down, just another slightly troublesome older woman. They think it’s all right to stop thinking about me.’’
My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/
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