Three short-stories by the late 20th century writer Nakagami Kenji. Tough tales of working-class life. Nakagami was about the first writer to identifyThree short-stories by the late 20th century writer Nakagami Kenji. Tough tales of working-class life. Nakagami was about the first writer to identify as a member of the burakumin caste, deeply discriminated against in Japan. The stories also may be about burakumin people, although that wouldn't be clear without the very informative essays that accompany this collection. ...more
For the first few stories, I thought of this book derisively as "The Historians' Guide to Dating Habits of Tennis Players in the 1990s." Towards the eFor the first few stories, I thought of this book derisively as "The Historians' Guide to Dating Habits of Tennis Players in the 1990s." Towards the end of the book, I thought of this book appreciatively as "The Historians' Guide to Dating Habits of Tennis Players in the 1990s." The last story in the book, about our narrator Jane following The Rules (you know, that book from the 90s that was like 'if you want to get married, make sure you wear sexy shoes, don't accept a date with less than four days notices, don't be funny or let on that you have a personality, etc etc'), may be of interest to younger millenials to observe the pre-sns social mores of their elders.
I still prefer Lorrie Moore for quippy short stories, but there were some zingers in here. ...more
Well, half-finished. These stories invite a measured reading pace. I'll take up this book again in the fall, when I think Trevor's prose will be partiWell, half-finished. These stories invite a measured reading pace. I'll take up this book again in the fall, when I think Trevor's prose will be particularly resonant. ...more
If, after reading a few of his novels, you have become enthralled by Antal Szerb's ability to blend and play with various literary modes- fantasy, iroIf, after reading a few of his novels, you have become enthralled by Antal Szerb's ability to blend and play with various literary modes- fantasy, irony, adventure, humor, gothic melancholy- then you will likely enjoy tracing his writerly development in this story collection. It begins with Szerb's earliest work, written when he a student. These three stories are unembarrassed romantic tales of princesses and dukes, unearthly betrothals and terrible (and inevitable) betrayals. These earnest fairy-tales, in which one can easily imagined the impassioned and serious youth who wrote them, are followed by funny stories about bookish Hungarians living abroad and flirting with women, a theme more familiar to readers of his novels. The final story, The Duke, written in 1943 (shortly before Szerb was hauled off to a concentration camp), is historical fiction written in semi-academic style.
I would not particularly recommend this collection to readers looking for an introduction to Antal Szerb. ...more
