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Robin's Reviews > Revenge
Revenge
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Last year, I found a new literary love - Yōko Ogawa. I adored her dystopian, poetic The Memory Police. Then I was blown away by her ruthless Hotel Iris. I love how she is able and willing to create meaningful stories with a darkly wise perspective, and without a trace of North American squeamishness. So I wasted little time to pick up her short story collection Revenge.
The collection is written in her trademark simple elegance (and translated by the marvellous Stephen Snyder). And it's kinda "Olive Kitteridge-y" in that the stories are all linked to each other, even though they are stories that could stand on their own. All stories are disturbing and strange, and reading them is sort of like watching a thousand dominoes fall, one after the other, one hitting the next, causing an avalanche of weirdness. (A child folded up in a refrigerator, carrots that look like hands, a coat made from a tiger's fur, strawberry shortcake for a dead boy's birthday.)
Well, maybe not an avalanche. Because an avalanche implies power and high drama. Even if they are haunting and strange, these stories didn't have the impact for me that I experienced in her longer fiction. I was waiting for the bite, and the "horror" that I was promised, the nasty pinch on the ass that makes you bleed... and didn't get it. Believe me though, I still enjoyed spending time in her pages. There are a LOT worse places to find yourself at the end of the day.
3.5 stars
The collection is written in her trademark simple elegance (and translated by the marvellous Stephen Snyder). And it's kinda "Olive Kitteridge-y" in that the stories are all linked to each other, even though they are stories that could stand on their own. All stories are disturbing and strange, and reading them is sort of like watching a thousand dominoes fall, one after the other, one hitting the next, causing an avalanche of weirdness. (A child folded up in a refrigerator, carrots that look like hands, a coat made from a tiger's fur, strawberry shortcake for a dead boy's birthday.)
Well, maybe not an avalanche. Because an avalanche implies power and high drama. Even if they are haunting and strange, these stories didn't have the impact for me that I experienced in her longer fiction. I was waiting for the bite, and the "horror" that I was promised, the nasty pinch on the ass that makes you bleed... and didn't get it. Believe me though, I still enjoyed spending time in her pages. There are a LOT worse places to find yourself at the end of the day.
3.5 stars
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Laysee
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rated it 4 stars
Jan 25, 2020 05:49AM
Aren’t these linked stories weird and disturbing? But I enjoyed them like you did, Robin. Fab review.
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Laysee wrote: "Aren’t these linked stories weird and disturbing? But I enjoyed them like you did, Robin. Fab review."They are strange stories indeed, Laysee - and I have a feeling that the more time I have to think on them, the stronger their imprint will be on my brain.
I loved your review, too, my dear! Thanks so much for stopping by. xx
It is with a great sense of relief that there might not be a bite or a pinch that brings blood, because this is most definitely on my list. Fine review, Robin!
Robin, you’ve written the perfect review for Revenge. I am not worthy. :)
Zoeytron wrote: "It is with a great sense of relief that there might not be a bite or a pinch that brings blood, because this is most definitely on my list. Fine review, Robin!"You made me chuckle, Zoey. See, we all have different needs as readers. I *want* to bleed. (Just a little.)
Carol wrote: "Robin, you’ve written the perfect review for Revenge. I am not worthy. :)"You know I adore you, right, Carol?
Robin wrote: "Zoeytron wrote: "It is with a great sense of relief that there might not be a bite or a pinch that brings blood, because this is most definitely on my list. Fine review, Robin!"You made me chuckl..."
I know you do, Robin. My preference is to be blindsided, or to have my ears boxed. Ha!
Zoeytron wrote: "I know you do, Robin. My preference is to be blindsided, or to have my ears boxed. Ha!"Ah, and Zoey, this is one of many good reasons why we are friends. :D
Robin wrote: "Zoeytron wrote: "I know you do, Robin. My preference is to be blindsided, or to have my ears boxed. Ha!"Ah, and Zoey, this is one of many good reasons why we are friends. :D"
Yes ma'am, it is!. :-)
I get it, it was good but you wanted more. But then, after something like The Memory Police... Excellent fair review, Robin.
I love Ogawa's gentle writing (and your reviews). ;)
Pedro wrote: "I get it, it was good but you wanted more. But then, after something like The Memory Police... Excellent fair review, Robin.
I love Ogawa's gentle writing (and your reviews). ;)"
Exactly. It felt watery. Watered down Ogawa is better than no Ogawa.
Thank you, Pedro! You are zee best.
Robin wrote: "Pedro wrote: "I get it, it was good but you wanted more. But then, after something like The Memory Police... Excellent fair review, Robin.
I love Ogawa's gentle writing (and your reviews). ;)"
E..."
I still have Ogawa's Hotel Iris ahead.. ;)
Love this review. The examples make me want to eat this book up, along with the strawberry shortcake. The dead kid won’t mind. Adding, of course. You could sell bread to a baker!
Great review, Robin, I like the sound of this. Though maybe I'll try The Memory Police first.
Pedro wrote: "I still have Ogawa's Hotel Iris ahead.. ;)"Lucky, lucky you! Can't wait to see what you think of it. (The protagonist might just be Eileen's little sister.)
Debbie wrote: "Love this review. The examples make me want to eat this book up, along with the strawberry shortcake. The dead kid won’t mind. Adding, of course. You could sell bread to a baker!"Dear, dear Debbie. Thank you! (And no, the dead kid won't mind.) It's so lovely to find a writer like this (last year for me it was Raymond Carver), where you just have to read everything they ever wrote. Unfortunately only a handful of Ogawa's books have been translated to English. Hopefully that will change, soon!
Bummer. Would love to know your thoughts on The Diving Pool, my fav of all her works.
Peter wrote: "Great review, Robin, I like the sound of this. Though maybe I'll try The Memory Police first."A great place to start with Ogawa, Peter, if I do say so myself! :D
JQ wrote: "Bummer. Would love to know your thoughts on The Diving Pool, my fav of all her works."Hi JQ - I haven't read The Diving Pool yet. I think it will be the next I try, especially since you recommend it.
The Memory Police is waiting for me in my reading docket, Robin. I love the author's book titles. Authors of literary fiction often stray into the most bland and featureless titles I've ever heard of. I'm sure it reflects their writing on some level.
Joe wrote: "The Memory Police is waiting for me in my reading docket, Robin. I love the author's book titles. Authors of literary fiction often stray into the most bland and featureless titles I've ever heard of. I'm sure it reflects their writing on some level."I hope you enjoy your Ogawa experience, Joe - my fingers are crossed for you! And titles are quite important, I can't say I've noticed bad titles among literary fiction authors in particular, but I know there are some out there!
A friend suggested I read Memory Police and it is on my TBR list & I reviewed other books by Ms. Ogawa and I now have this book & The Housekeeper on my TBR lost as well.
Ian wrote: "A friend suggested I read Memory Police and it is on my TBR list & I reviewed other books by Ms. Ogawa and I now have this book & The Housekeeper on my TBR lost as well."Hi there Ian. I loved The Memory Police and also would highly recommend her Hotel Iris if you haven't read that yet!
