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[Carol]

Erick Del Río wrote: "I want to read a very good J-Horror novel, any recommendations? :)"

@Tim?

[Kamo]

Erick Del Río wrote: "I want to read a very good J-Horror novel, any recommendations? :)"

Another by Yukito Ayatsuji.
Is really cool.
Revenge by Yoko Ogawa.

Books that I read but did not like:
The Graveyard Apartment
Goth
Parasite Eve
Japanese Tales of Mystery & Imagination

[Kamo]

Bill wrote: "I tend to only post here about Japanese novels I'm reading (that aren't the monthly selection). Do people want that to be the norm for this thread?

I don't mind the extra notifications for this th..."

Yeah, it's supposed to be like that. There are other threads where people can discuss non-Japanese novels.

[Carol]

Christian wrote: "Bill wrote: "I tend to only post here about Japanese novels I'm reading (that aren't the monthly selection). Do people want that to be the norm for this thread?

I don't mind the extra notification..."

Mine, too. Plus, the more activity this group has, the more often it appears in my (and everyone ‘s group discussions list which serves as a reminder of group reads et al. This thread is one that could be our most active, if used more.

[Tim]

Erick Del Río wrote: "I want to read a very good J-Horror novel, any recommendations? :)"

So, you would like to read J-horror, eh?

*Cracks fingers*

I may be able to help there. Mostly it depends on what sore of J-horror you're looking for.

If you're looking for the traditional ghost story sort of horror there's always Ring (though if I'm to be honest, I didn't particularly enjoy it, but I seem to be in the minority there) and Another

If you're looking for more realistic/gruesome horror, the "other" Murakami is always pretty solid. His most popular horror reads would probably be Audition and In the Miso Soup (note though, Miso Soup is certainly disturbing, but I honestly think it's more of a philosophical novel, with about half of the book being a single conversation. It's fascinating and disturbing, but not always edge of your seat sort of material).

For horror with a strong influence from science fiction there' Parasite Eve.

In terms of classic J-horror there is always Edogawa Rampo whose most popular works would be Japanese Tales of Mystery & Imagination and Strange Tale of Panorama Island.

Manga also has some great opportunities with Uzumaki, Volume 1 being a particular favorite of mine. Some other greats there include Higurashi When They Cry: Abducted by Demons Arc, Vol. 1 and Franken Fran 1 (I've also heard there is a great manga adaptation of Another, that was mentioned above, but have not seen it).

I can't really categorize the following (as I have not read them) but I've heard great things about Goth, Now You're One of Us, Strangers and The Summer of the Ubume

As a counter, I highly suggest NOT reading The Graveyard Apartment which is a book we read here at the club at my endorsement... and I really regret putting everyone through that. :P

[Tim]

Carol wrote: "Christian wrote: "Bill wrote: "I tend to only post here about Japanese novels I'm reading (that aren't the monthly selection). Do people want that to be the norm for this thread?

I don't mind the ..."

Chiming in here on the only discussing Japanese novels topic here. I was initially hesitant to post non-Japanese books on this page, but when I looked at the original poster of this thread I read the following:

Zala wrote: "So, what are you currently reading?
Whatever it is, Japanese or not, share it with us. ;)."

Thus I figured that this was a thread just for members of the club to discuss any books they happened to be reading at the time. Personally I like that idea, as though the club in unified in an interest in Japanese literature, it allows for one area where we can see what other books interest us (be they Japanese or otherwise).

(Also currently reading L.A. Confidential by James Ellroy... not Japanese but excellent thus far.)

[Erick Del Río]

Tim wrote: "Erick Del Río wrote: "I want to read a very good J-Horror novel, any recommendations? :)"

So, you would like to read J-horror, eh?

*Cracks fingers*

I may be able to help there. Mostly it depends..."
Thank you very much, everyone. I'm looking for a good ghost story, like Ju-On or Ringu. Btw. I alfo a Ryu Murakami's fan; my favourite is Piercing, dfinetly.

[Tim]

I'll make a note of that as Piercing is one of his books that I haven't read. My favorite of his books thus far was Popular Hits of the Showa Era.

[Erick Del Río]

Tim wrote: "I'll make a note of that as Piercing is one of his books that I haven't read. My favorite of his books thus far was Popular Hits of the Showa Era."
I want to read that one and From fatherland...

[J]

Tim wrote: "I can't really categorize the following (as I have not read them) but I've heard great things about Goth, Now You're One of Us, Strangers and The Summer of the Ubume"

I read Strangers by Yamada Taichi a long time back, and quite liked it. Not outright scary freaky horror like Ring or anything, and a lot quieter and contemplative. I would recommend it if one is not looking for outright horror.

[Jeshika]

My favourite Ryu Murakami is also Popular Hits of the Showa Era, it's just so wacky...

I still have Fatherland and Coin Locker Babies to go. I'm looking forward to CLB just because of the Miyavi song, which probably isn't even related. But any motivation to read is good motivation, I guess.

[J]

I'm about halfway through Matsumoto Seicho's A Quiet Place (Kikanakatta Basho). Having read and liked two others of his works, I'm enjoying the third, although it's a bit slow on the detecting and I'm kinda looking out for red herrings after Suna no Utsuwa led me on a merry chase on that!

[Kamo]

J wrote: "I'm about halfway through Matsumoto Seicho's A Quiet Place (Kikanakatta Basho). Having read and liked two others of his works, I'm enjoying the third, although it's a bit slow on the detecting and ..."

I enjoyed A Quiet Place. What other works have you read by Matsumoto (in English)?

[J]

Kamo wrote: "I enjoyed A Quiet Place. What other works have you read by Matsumoto (in English)

Inspector Imanishi Investigates (that'd be Suna no Utsuwa) and Pro Bono (Kiri no Hata). I think there are more of his works translated into English, but my local bookstore doesn't seem to stock them :(

Do you recommend any Matsumoto works?

[Bill]

I started Autofiction yesterday. It's quite a roller coaster ride of a first-person novel. I suspect it will end badly for our narrator.

Other Matsumoto Seicho novels have been translated in English in the past and have fallen out of print. Hopefully not all used copies are as overpriced as they are on amazon: http://a.co/8PYjKAd

[Jeshika]

I really enjoyed Autofiction at the time I read it, although I barely remember it now.

I started The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury today. I wasn't aware it was linked short stories, but i'm happy it is. :)

[Kamo]

J wrote: "Kamo wrote: "I enjoyed A Quiet Place. What other works have you read by Matsumoto (in English)

Inspector Imanishi Investigates (that'd be Suna no Utsuwa) and Pro Bono (Kiri no Hata). I think there..."

I haven't read any other books by Matsumoto, except A Quiet Place. I'd love to read Inspector Imanishi Investigates. Crime fiction and mystery is my favorite.

[Bill]

I can't recommend Autofiction. I can't even tell if it's a novel or four short stories, because the only thing in common between the four stories-or-chapters is the name of the main character.

I really liked part 1 and was surprised at its sudden ending; I wanted more of that story. Parts 2 and 3 were awful, more than just "awful to the main character" but at times unreadable. I couldn't see how the Rin of parts 2 and 3 related to the Rin of part 1. I skimmed over these parts. Part 4 was somewhat better, and seemed to have some relation to the love-to-be-in-love, obsessive Rin of part 1 again. Does that make the whole thing worthwhile? Not particularly. And since people here have been telling me Autofiction is better than Snakes and Earrings, I won't bother reading it.

[Bill]

Starting Tales of Yamato now. It's a collection of poems with framing prose from around 950 AD. Once I get past the 60+ pages of introduction, I'll see what it's actually like :)

[Carol]

Bill wrote: "Starting Tales of Yamato now. It's a collection of poems with framing prose from around 950 AD. Once I get past the 60+ pages of introduction, I'll see what it's actually like :)"

Ten pages is an Introduction. 60+ almost merits its own separate publication. :)

Yeah, pass on Snakes and Earrings.

[Bill]

I've read longer introductions! My copy of Thucydides, for example, has 83 pages of introduction.

This poor copy of Tales of Yamato apparently has never been read. Bought in 1980 by a public library, it has a blank check-out slip inside the back cover. It's in effectively new condition; I may have gotten it directly from the used dealer who bought it from the library.

[J]

Kamo wrote: "I haven't read any other books by Matsumoto, except A Quiet Place. I'd love to read Inspector Imanishi Investigates. Crime fiction and mystery is my favorite. ."

I do recommend Inspector Imanishi Investigates, it's quite intriguing and a bit different from the usual crime fiction stories, especially the ending. It does go into a lot of detail though, and if you're not used to that, it may be a bit tedious. But the themes it does explore are very interesting, and I really enjoyed it.

I also recommend Higashino Keigo's works if you haven't read any.

Bill, thanks for the Amazon link! I'd checked it a couple of days ago, and then just now, and the price has jumped! I checked Book Depository, and a lot of the Matsumoto books are unavailable :( Will keep hunting.

[Kamo]

J wrote: "Kamo wrote: "I haven't read any other books by Matsumoto, except A Quiet Place. I'd love to read Inspector Imanishi Investigates. Crime fiction and mystery is my favorite. ."

I do recommend Inspec..."

Higashino is my favorite author :)

[Bill]

Reading Psycome now. What is it about some light novels? I just can't put my finger on why the writing and/or translation is so bad. I don't see myself finishing it, even though I'm intrigued by the setting.

[J]

A bit quiet in this thread. I'm currently reading Apparitions: Ghosts of Old Edo by Miyabe Miyuki. Quite a decent read so far, and the stories are not freaky.

[Ian]

We did that one last October. Join our other Miyabe book next month!!

[Carol]

J wrote: "A bit quiet in this thread. I'm currently reading Apparitions: Ghosts of Old Edo by Miyabe Miyuki. Quite a decent read so far, and the stories are not freaky."

I was glad I read this. You might enjoy the discussion thread when you're done.

[Carol]

I am starting a buddy read in a different group of The Pillow Book by Sei Shōnagon and have high hopes.

[Bill]

It's a fun book if you go into it with the right attitude.

[Carol]

Bill wrote: "It's a fun book if you go into it with the right attitude."

What’s the right attitude?

[Tim]

J wrote: "A bit quiet in this thread. I'm currently reading Apparitions: Ghosts of Old Edo by Miyabe Miyuki. Quite a decent read so far, and the stories are not freaky."

Hope you enjoy it! Personally I found the stories a bit hit or miss, but the ones that were good were EXCELLENT. As Carol mentioned, you may want to check our discussion of it from last year, I seem to recall it being fairly detailed and going over many of the stories.

I'm currently reading The Magician, which is not Japanese, but is the start of my horror lineup (it feels a good transition book, as the first half place off as something of a rather humorous gothic and transitions to horror as it moves along).

[Carol]

Tim wrote: "J wrote: "A bit quiet in this thread. I'm currently reading Apparitions: Ghosts of Old Edo by Miyabe Miyuki. Quite a decent read so far, and the stories are not freaky."

Hope you enjoy it! Persona..."

That looks interesting and I’ve not read Maugham. I’ll be interested to hear your conclusions about it, Tim.

[Agnetta]

I am reading War and Peace ! Finally. Second try, I once started and got distracted and you can't put it aside few weeks and then take it back, as the characters start to mix up in your head after some time out of the Tolstoy universe.
I guess no surprise, but I'll still state : it's really good.

[Carol]

Agnetta wrote: "I am reading War and Peace ! Finally. Second try, I once started and got distracted and you can't put it aside few weeks and then take it back, as the characters start to mix up in your head after ..."

Agnetta, what translation are you reading? I DNFed it and Anna Karenina in undergrad after maybe 150 - 200 pages and blamed Tolstoy. I should have blamed Garnett’s translation instead. I’m ready to give it or AK another shot in 2019, particularly since I adore Dostoevsky. Advice?

[Agnetta]

Carol wrote: "Agnetta, what translation are you reading?"
I have Pinguin Classics 2007, translation dated from 2005 by Anthony Briggs. Totally fluid. Very enjoyable. The right amount of complexity in style and vocabulary, stylish and formal of course, (nobles and all) but totally readable.

I do suspect the translator did not keep in his English many french phrases Tolstoy would have thrown in in the nobles' conversation, but he just translates all to english and adds a "she said in french". As I myself speak french I would have liked for that to be maintained - but well, can't have it all.

I do recommend this translation. the 2007 paperback edition is beautiful.

There is translator's note about the necessity of making the great classics again accessible to the contemporary readers by re-translating even though the old translations can be considered "classics" too.... I guess the reading old style english may have it's charm too. For my taste, I concur with Briggs - 1300 pages ask for fresh fluid contemporary english. :D

I have not read Dostoevsky yet - I hear they are quite different though.

[Carol]

Agnetta wrote: "Carol wrote: "Agnetta, what translation are you reading?"
I have Pinguin Classics 2007, translation dated from 2005 by Anthony Briggs. Totally fluid. Very enjoyable. The right amount of complexity ..."

Thank you! I agree that even good translations showctheir age and a fresh take brings a better reading experience.

They are. I don’t expect anyone loves them equally, but even so I’m an outlier for the breadth of the gap in my esteem. It’s worth retesting.

[Bill]

Re: Pillow Book
The "right attitude" is to see it as flippant and comical, rather than some dry volume of historical events. I tend to read such old books analytically as a "window into how people acted in the past", but here you have to see it as popular, amusing literature.

Re: War and Peace
I have the Everyman translation of War & Peace, by Maude, and found it quite readable. It was probably expensive, coming in three hardcover volumes inside a slipcase, but I found it in a library book sale.

Whatever you do, do not read the appendices to War and Peace! You will regret it!

[Agnetta]

Thanks Bill !
totally agree on your take.
I do find it hilarious at times... I mean all that goes on at the front, how Tolstoy tells us "what really happens" , and at the same time he lets his characters construct their own view and story of events and go about lying to all and everyone about their exploits... brillant !

o-oh... I read other warnings about the appendix... but ... I can not just leave the book at volume 4, can I ? O dreadful doubt! I'll decide when I get there... :D

[Tim]

Carol wrote: "That looks interesting and I’ve not read Maugham. I’ll be interested to hear your conclusions about it, Tim. "

It's rather fascinating and has a very interesting origin. Apparently Maugham started writing it after he met Aleister Crowley who he immediately thought of as a buffoonish con-man, and couldn't see how anyone could actually fall for him. As he kept meeting him in social circles though and saw people's reactions to him, his character became less comedic in the book and more sinister. You can actually see the transition happen between chapters.

[J]

Josh wrote: "We did that one last October. Join our other Miyabe book next month!!"

Haha, I read All She Was Worth a long time ago!

@Carol, thanks! I'll dig out the discussion thread when I'm done reading.

[Carol]

Bill wrote: "Re: Pillow Book
The "right attitude" is to see it as flippant and comical, rather than some dry volume of historical events. I tend to read such old books analytically as a "window into how people ..."

This sounds like great advice on all fronts. Thank you, Bill!

[Carol]

Tim wrote: "Carol wrote: "That looks interesting and I’ve not read Maugham. I’ll be interested to hear your conclusions about it, Tim. "

It's rather fascinating and has a very interesting origin. Apparently M..."

You've totally convinced me to find a copy of this. Thanks.

[Carol]

J wrote: "Josh wrote: "We did that one last October. Join our other Miyabe book next month!!"

Haha, I read All She Was Worth a long time ago!

@Carol, thanks! I'll dig out the discussion thread when I'm don..."

Here you are (no need to dig):

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[J]

Tim wrote: "Hope you enjoy it! Personally I found the stories a bit hit or miss, but the ones that were good were EXCELLENT. As Carol mentioned, you may want to check our discussion of it from last year, I seem to recall it being fairly detailed and going over many of the stories."

Can't believe I missed your comment but yes, I am rather liking some of the stories. I am about halfway through (finished the oni story) and quite like the ones I've read so far. Some are more sad than freaky, like the ones about O-En and O-Mitsu, and I always feel there's a bit of a "moral of the story" going on, so they seem more cautionary tales than horror or the scary ghost variety.

@Carol, thanks much for the thread!

[Bill]

In Search of a Distant Voice

I just couldn't finish it. While I don't finish every book I read, I rarely give up on Japanese literature. But this one just droned on and on, going nowhere.

A man is repeatedly visited by (one might even say stalked) by a ghostly voice. Sometimes she holds him down, or makes him laugh at the wrong times. Many of the pages are the two of them just talking to each other, avoiding talking about anything specific or interesting.

I suppose he'll figure out in the end who she is. But it's not worth the slog for me to find out.

[Ian]

My Murakami arrives tomorrow!!

[Carol]

Josh wrote: "My Murakami arrives tomorrow!!"

Congrats! I’m 159 on my library’s hold list, lol!

[Ian]

I’m buying books much less than I used to... but, this one and the Higashino I want ASAP.

[Bill]

Priorities, people! You've gotta read All She Was Worth, first :)

[Ian]

About 33% done ASWW. Waiting for more people to join the comments.