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Jaidee's Reviews > Revenge
Revenge
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4.13 "provocative, surreal, interconnected" stars !!!
The Pleasant Surprise Award of 2019
This short story collection by Ms. Ogawa, published in 1998 was highly creative and somewhat bizarre. Themes of disconnection, hurt and various forms of revenge permeate this group of stories. Each story is linked to others and it is difficult and challenging to tease out which ones are based on reality and which are imaginal or perhaps even supernatural. All but one story ranged from excellent to superb. That in itself is a remarkable feat. In my usual fashion I will name the story, give a rating and state an impression or snippet.
Afternoon at the Bakery: a dead son and strawberry shortcake...fragmented and eerie (4 stars)
Fruit Juice: A young woman meets her politician father as her mother is dying...a hapless friend tags along (4 stars)
Old Mrs J: kiwis, carrots and hands...oh my ! (4.5 stars)
The Little Dustman: a tiny stepmom and a trip to the zoo...(4.5 stars)
Lab Coats: a very pretty secretary is oh so sociopathic (5 stars)...favorite in collection
Sewing for the Heart: don't cross an artisan (4 stars)
Welcome to the Museum of Torture: can a witness also torture and maim? (4 stars)
The Man who Sold Braces: the joys and sorrows of an eccentric uncle (5 stars)...2nd favorite
The Last Hour of the Bengal Tiger: A jealous housewife is soothed by a dying Tiger (4.5 stars)
Tomatoes and the Full Moon: deja vu over and over again (4 stars)
Poison Plants: a lecherous old woman and her protege...didn't buy this one (2 stars)
I will definitely read more by Ms. Ogawa !!
The Pleasant Surprise Award of 2019
This short story collection by Ms. Ogawa, published in 1998 was highly creative and somewhat bizarre. Themes of disconnection, hurt and various forms of revenge permeate this group of stories. Each story is linked to others and it is difficult and challenging to tease out which ones are based on reality and which are imaginal or perhaps even supernatural. All but one story ranged from excellent to superb. That in itself is a remarkable feat. In my usual fashion I will name the story, give a rating and state an impression or snippet.
Afternoon at the Bakery: a dead son and strawberry shortcake...fragmented and eerie (4 stars)
Fruit Juice: A young woman meets her politician father as her mother is dying...a hapless friend tags along (4 stars)
Old Mrs J: kiwis, carrots and hands...oh my ! (4.5 stars)
The Little Dustman: a tiny stepmom and a trip to the zoo...(4.5 stars)
Lab Coats: a very pretty secretary is oh so sociopathic (5 stars)...favorite in collection
Sewing for the Heart: don't cross an artisan (4 stars)
Welcome to the Museum of Torture: can a witness also torture and maim? (4 stars)
The Man who Sold Braces: the joys and sorrows of an eccentric uncle (5 stars)...2nd favorite
The Last Hour of the Bengal Tiger: A jealous housewife is soothed by a dying Tiger (4.5 stars)
Tomatoes and the Full Moon: deja vu over and over again (4 stars)
Poison Plants: a lecherous old woman and her protege...didn't buy this one (2 stars)
I will definitely read more by Ms. Ogawa !!
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Reading Progress
July 28, 2017
– Shelved
July 28, 2017
– Shelved as:
jaidee-s-next-four-reads
September 17, 2017
– Shelved as:
jaidee-s-not-to-exceed-33
May 31, 2019
– Shelved as:
next-3-reads
June 21, 2019
–
Started Reading
June 24, 2019
–
17.0%
June 26, 2019
–
24.0%
June 27, 2019
–
32.0%
July 1, 2019
–
36.0%
July 3, 2019
–
46.0%
July 6, 2019
–
59.0%
July 9, 2019
–
72.0%
July 9, 2019
–
78.0%
July 10, 2019
– Shelved as:
four-stars-books
July 10, 2019
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-28 of 28 (28 new)
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message 1:
by
Laysee
(new)
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rated it 4 stars
Jul 10, 2019 11:36PM
Jaidee, I'm so glad to see a strong rating for this collection of short stories. Aren't they deliciously bizarre? I like the snippets you wrote for each story. If you enjoy Ogawa, you may wish to read 'The Housekeeper and the Professor.'
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Echoing Laysee here. I too thought The Housekeeper and the Professor was such a good read. And thanks for bringing this collection to my attention, Jaidee. Sounds very promising to me.
Agnieszka wrote: "Echoing Laysee here. I too thought The Housekeeper and the Professor was such a good read. And thanks for bringing this collection to my attention, Jaidee. Sounds very promising to me."Laysee wrote: "Jaidee, I'm so glad to see a strong rating for this collection of short stories. Aren't they deliciously bizarre? I like the snippets you wrote for each story. If you enjoy Ogawa, you may wish to r..."
Ty both Laysee and Agneiszka....I will add that book based on your recommendations :)
Sounds essentilly Ogawa...quirky and deep. Both "The Housekeeper and the Professor" and The Diving Pool: Three Novellas met my expectations, I bet this book would as well.
Dolors wrote: "Sounds essentilly Ogawa...quirky and deep. Both "The Housekeeper and the Professor" and The Diving Pool: Three Novellas met my expectations, I bet this book would as w..."I believe it would Dolors. Ok I will add the three novellas as well :)
I thought this collection was great too, Jaidee. I've read all of Ogawa that's in translation and just want to say that 'Housekeeper' is very different from this and 'Diving Pool', though I liked them all. I'm impatiently waiting for more from her to be translated...
Good to know you are such a fan Mizz T...so nice to see you 🙂
Sounds different and intriguing! Excellent review. Love your brief descriptions with ratings.
Debbie wrote: "Sounds different and intriguing! Excellent review. Love your brief descriptions with ratings."Thanx Debbie....not certain this is for you but would love your take on it :D
Ty Zoey...hope you love it 😊
Excellent review, Jaidee! I always enjoy the bits of humor you sprinkle on the serious notes. I don't think I'll look at strawberry shortcake the same way again. 😉
Kimber wrote: "Excellent review, Jaidee! I always enjoy the bits of humor you sprinkle on the serious notes. I don't think I'll look at strawberry shortcake the same way again. 😉"
I'll be sure to make you a delicious bumbleberry crumble :)
Looks intriguing, Jaidee. I've recently got to know about the author, having read a few of positive reviews by Goodread friends. This one too looks to be up there thanks to your fine write- up :)
Gaurav wrote: "Looks intriguing, Jaidee. I've recently got to know about the author, having read a few of positive reviews by Goodread friends. This one too looks to be up there thanks to your fine write- up :)"This was such a welcome read Gaurav...hope you read it...thanks so much :)
I love that you rate each one, Jaidee. So helpful!
Kevin wrote: "I love that you rate each one, Jaidee. So helpful!"Thanks Kevin....each story is a work on its own...no ?
Jaidee wrote: "Kevin wrote: "I love that you rate each one, Jaidee. So helpful!"Thanks Kevin....each story is a work on its own...no ?"
Absolutely. I love it when readers do it with mine, so I'm all in favour! x
Fabulous review Jaidee!😉💋💝👍
Kat wrote: "Fabulous review Jaidee!😉💋💝👍"Awww ty Kat :)
Fab review Jaidee! Glad this collection was a winner for you. :)
Susanne wrote: "Fab review Jaidee! Glad this collection was a winner for you. :)"Tyvm Susanne :)
Thank you for that great review. I liked the idea of story-by-story ratings.
A.K. wrote: "Thank you for that great review. I liked the idea of story-by-story ratings."Thanx AK ! Nice to meet you !
Nice, I’ll be adding it to my list :)
April wrote: "Nice, I’ll be adding it to my list :)"Thanx April...I hope that this collection will appeal to you too !
"All but one story ranged from excellent to superb." Wow, that's amazing...fabulous review, Jaidee! 🐯
MarilynW wrote: ""All but one story ranged from excellent to superb." Wow, that's amazing...fabulous review, Jaidee! 🐯"Yes an amazing feat for a short story collection...thanx Marilyn 🐦
