Review of 'Rashomon and Seventeen Other Stories (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)' on 'Storygraph'
3 stars
I haven't read much from Japanese authors, only a novel by Natsume Soseki and a few short stories by Haruki Murakami. Oddly enough, both of these authors came into this book as well, Murakami having written the introduction, and Soseki having been an acquaintance of Akutagawa's, as we learn in the later set of stories, which are autobiographical.
I enjoyed reading the first set of stories, which were retellings of Japanese folk stories. It was a look into a culture which I find very interesting, rich, and old, though I found it easier to continue as I continued father into the book.
The second set of stories in Rashomon are autobiographical pieces by Akutagawa and paint a portrait of a man increasingly aware of his past and present and apprehensive about his future. I found it helpful to have read the introduction beforehand, so I had a better picture of …
I haven't read much from Japanese authors, only a novel by Natsume Soseki and a few short stories by Haruki Murakami. Oddly enough, both of these authors came into this book as well, Murakami having written the introduction, and Soseki having been an acquaintance of Akutagawa's, as we learn in the later set of stories, which are autobiographical.
I enjoyed reading the first set of stories, which were retellings of Japanese folk stories. It was a look into a culture which I find very interesting, rich, and old, though I found it easier to continue as I continued father into the book.
The second set of stories in Rashomon are autobiographical pieces by Akutagawa and paint a portrait of a man increasingly aware of his past and present and apprehensive about his future. I found it helpful to have read the introduction beforehand, so I had a better picture of both Akutagawa's life and the time period he was living in, and couldn't help but feel pity and some sadness as I neared the end of the book, being aware, simultaneously, of the ending and of the author's own growing nervousness and struggle.
But I must desist, I say too much. Only this, I felt for Akutagawa - that is to say: I could say I relate to his some of his feelings and experiences, especially in the last story, Spinning Gears. I enjoyed many of the pieces in this collection, but I think my personal favorites were Hell Screen and Death Register. Of choose, that's probably just me.
After reading this collection by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, I would certainly be interested in reading more Japanese literature, as I enjoy what seems to be a cultural interest in noticing both beautiful and ugly things, great and small things. It makes me more thoughtful as well.
