Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
156th out of 196 books
—
197 voters
Night of the Milky Way Railway (青い鳥文庫 1-100 #88-3)
Giovanni and his friend Campanella, who is dead from drowning, travel on a celestial railway which is a ferry of souls journeying to the afterlife.
Hardcover, 173 pages
Published
May 9th 1991
by M.E. Sharpe
(first published January 1981)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
385)
I think this book suffers a bit from translation. I suppose there is a spectrum of approaches to translating a story: at one extreme you have the sort of translation that turns Homer into bloody Shakespeare and at the other have you something to English idiom which conforms not, like Yoda (or Google Translate) sounding.
Stroud & Sigrist seem to be leaning more towards Yodalike word salad than Shakespeare.
In spite of the formal starchiness of the spoken dialogue and annoyingly vague descriptio...more
Stroud & Sigrist seem to be leaning more towards Yodalike word salad than Shakespeare.
In spite of the formal starchiness of the spoken dialogue and annoyingly vague descriptio...more
Oct 20, 2012
Calochortus
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
People who are ok with symbolism and imagery
Recommended to Calochortus by:
My sister
Shelves:
books-i-have
I read a different version of Galaxy Train -- I think it was supposed to be a translation for Japanese native-speakers to learn english. However, I think that perhaps I liked that. My version came with cute Italian-style graphite drawings, too~
Anyway, what to say about Miyazawa? I guess his view of classes and society is nicely packaged in Galaxy Train -- this isn't really a fairy tale, and it really isn't a dream. Sure, you could take it as that, but that defeats Miyazawa's original purpose. It...more
Anyway, what to say about Miyazawa? I guess his view of classes and society is nicely packaged in Galaxy Train -- this isn't really a fairy tale, and it really isn't a dream. Sure, you could take it as that, but that defeats Miyazawa's original purpose. It...more
A quick read, but holds its weight with longer, heavier tomes about similar subject matter. It's oneiric and whimsical, at turns touching and beautiful.
At its center is the search for happiness and what it means.
--[. . .] a person creates happiness around him when he does something good. That's why I'm sure my mum will forgive me.--
--If we can run like this, we can run anywhere in the whole wide world!--
--'May I enquire as to where you boys would be heading?' asked the man timidly.
'Further than...more
At its center is the search for happiness and what it means.
--[. . .] a person creates happiness around him when he does something good. That's why I'm sure my mum will forgive me.--
--If we can run like this, we can run anywhere in the whole wide world!--
--'May I enquire as to where you boys would be heading?' asked the man timidly.
'Further than...more
I give the story 4 stars for the story itself; I fear the translation has not done Kenji Miyazawa's beautiful "children's" story any favors. Alas, it is the only readily available affordable translation.
Miyazawa pulls deeply from the cosmic imagery of the Lotus Sutra, as well as it's message that all religions point toward the Dharma. At first the appearance of a Catholic Nun surprised me, and I thought it was a liberty taken by the translator, but no. With a little help from Google translate, I...more
Miyazawa pulls deeply from the cosmic imagery of the Lotus Sutra, as well as it's message that all religions point toward the Dharma. At first the appearance of a Catholic Nun surprised me, and I thought it was a liberty taken by the translator, but no. With a little help from Google translate, I...more
A wonderful tale which strongly provokes imagination, this masterpiece leads readers to a peaceful yet mysterious world full of magical elements. The sceneries are lucid, the narrating voice is easy to understand yet readers feel a tinge of melancholy and a philosophical meaning behind the simple structures. Suitable for both children and adults, because each will enjoy the story in his or her own way. To be precise, children will spread their wings of imagination to fly to the world full of eth...more
-IBC public Level 2
-Time December 9th: 68 minutes
-7 word summary:Giovanni-poor-Campanella-event-stars-Milky Way-train
-Discussion Questions
1.Have you ever seen Milky Way? And How did you like it?
Actually, I have never seen Milky Way, so I do not know how beautiful it is. Next year, I watch the Milky way definitely.
2.Often, waht attracts you, but you do not know why it attracts you?
Books attract me so much. Of course, books are interesting. However, books which catch me in the book stores suddenly...more
-Time December 9th: 68 minutes
-7 word summary:Giovanni-poor-Campanella-event-stars-Milky Way-train
-Discussion Questions
1.Have you ever seen Milky Way? And How did you like it?
Actually, I have never seen Milky Way, so I do not know how beautiful it is. Next year, I watch the Milky way definitely.
2.Often, waht attracts you, but you do not know why it attracts you?
Books attract me so much. Of course, books are interesting. However, books which catch me in the book stores suddenly...more
view 1 comment
I finished this book in one sitting! A really interesting plot with and ending that leaves you in mystery. I liked the theme the book portrays which is "What is true happiness?", but I wish it was answered more clearly. The relationship between Giovanni and Campanella was interesting and overall the story was very poetic with great sensory details. I recommend this to anyone with interest in a sad yet thoughtful and unique story of Giovanni and his journey with Campanella on the Milky Way Railro...more
2.5 stars. I intended to read this as an LR (Listen-Read) book.
1. Look at English translation while listening to Japanese audiobook.
2. Read Japanese version while listening to Japanese audiobook.
3. Repeat (2).
4. Shadow some parts.
The problem was I didn't find the story very engaging. Also, the religion bits turned me off -- what I expected was a magical story not clouded with religion. So, for most of the second half of the book, I only read through the story once (or twice for some parts). I li...more
1. Look at English translation while listening to Japanese audiobook.
2. Read Japanese version while listening to Japanese audiobook.
3. Repeat (2).
4. Shadow some parts.
The problem was I didn't find the story very engaging. Also, the religion bits turned me off -- what I expected was a magical story not clouded with religion. So, for most of the second half of the book, I only read through the story once (or twice for some parts). I li...more
1. Lader Series;The Night of The Milky Way Train;Level2
2. time:06/03=80minutes
3. 7-word summary;poor-hard-festival-train-friend-traveler-notice
4. Have you ever did part time job both of morning and night?
A. No,I haven't, he is very hard worker.
5. This book is to be think for me about life.
2. time:06/03=80minutes
3. 7-word summary;poor-hard-festival-train-friend-traveler-notice
4. Have you ever did part time job both of morning and night?
A. No,I haven't, he is very hard worker.
5. This book is to be think for me about life.
a potentially dreamy & beautiful novella, totally ruined by the terrible, teeeeeeeerible translation on e-thuvien T_T don't even bother to read it. perhaps try the english version
Highly original plot, filled with striking imagery, and a deep symbolism. A work with much thought behind it, can be read on many layers, and a pleasure on all.
An excellent novella taking the reader on a journey through the Milky Way Railway where many new friends are met and adventures are had. Certainly reminiscent of some anime that I have seen (hardly ever watch it though). Unlike the other story (Restaurant of Many Orders) this seems to be more applicable to readers of all ages, with enough adult themes to keep the more matured authors in interest. The story is worth reading alone for the vivid imagery though.
Ghibli must be under influence of Kenji Miyazawa. This is beautiful novel.
English version is called Milky Railroad. You must check if you love Ghibli works. I am willing to dedicate 5 stars.
English version is called Milky Railroad. You must check if you love Ghibli works. I am willing to dedicate 5 stars.
fin da bambino,amo questo libro.per quando ero piccolo,era troppo difficile capire quello che lo scrittore vuole dire sul romanzo.ma scrive una fiaba romantica e un po triste.
What's WITH this book?? No continuity! Complete religious push! Random in prose as well as story. I expected to adore it and instead...instead, not.
This translation is poor.
Jun 14, 2013
Ui Blue
marked it as to-read
Jun 13, 2013
Melissa
marked it as to-read
Jun 12, 2013
Ilva Anspoka
is currently reading it
Jun 09, 2013
Kim Reinhard
marked it as to-read
May 28, 2013
Joseph Wood
is currently reading it
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
