Where the Wild Ladies Are

Probably more of a 3.5 but I'm rounding up.

This is another surprise addition to my read list this year. I think I saw this collection being mentioned somewhere after being nominated for an award, and as it's stories are inspired from Japanese folklore and legends, I couldn't resist picking it up.

I thought it was quite interesting that each of these seemingly different stories are connected and the writing was very engaging. Most of the stories were enjoyable to read too even if I didn't always understand what the author was trying to convey through them. And as most of these are ghost stories, it isn't surprising that loneliness and grief seems to be the common thread across most of them. But I also liked that the author depicts the various kinds of issues women face in their lives, and what they are able to accomplish when they decide to challenge the age old norms and take their destiny into their own hands. And the notes at the end with details about each legend or folktale that inspired these stories was a wealth of knowledge I really appreciated.

I also listened to the audiobook and Sarah Skaer's narration is pretty fun. I particularly loved her various voices and accents, as well as exclamations whenever they were warranted. I think I enjoyed the book more because of the narration. Definitely recommend it to anyone who would want to explore slightly offbeat, whimsical, and sometimes unexpectedly funny supernatural stories.

Smartening Up

While I can't say I understood everything in this story, I loved the message that a woman shouldn't have to change herself, both appearance and personality wise, just to get a man; nor should she excuse bad behavior from them just for the sake of companionship. The commentary on body hair was definitely very interesting too, and exactly what I always felt.

The Peony Lanterns

I thought it was a bit funny but another story where I wasn't sure what was happening. Maybe it was just about the push the main character needed to stop his wallowing and look for a new job.

My Superpower

I thought this was a great story about how we shouldn't judge people on their appearance because we know nothing about what's happening with them; and we should never forget that while we are judging someone, we are being judged in return.

Quite a Catch

I didn't expect to read a story of a woman who finds herself disillusioned by the men in her life and ultimately finds love with a ghost. It was surprisingly sweet and earnest.

The Jealous Type

I'm seriously not sure how I feel about this story of an extremely possessive and jealous woman. It felt a bit cathartic in the beginning but then it devolved into too much destruction.

Where the Wild Ladies Are

The story of a young man trying to get through life after the tragic loss of his mother, and a mom who doesn't want her son to suffer from grief. This was both bittersweet and warm but weird at the same time.

Loved One

Another story of grief and loneliness but I thought the main character's relationship with her cat was endearing and I wasn't surprised by her choices at all.

A Fox's Life

I'm not sure if it was the author's intent but I thought this story was about how demure women are considered the good ones and women who live banal existences without making waves are preferred. But it does end on the note that things are changing, especially because are no longer content with playing invisible roles.

What She Can Do

A very understandable tale about a young single mother struggling to get by while also facing the criticisms from everyone for making the decision for divorce. This is a story that clearly focuses on the childcare and support such mothers need.

Enoki

Another story about the struggles of motherhood and how humans tend to sexualize everything without any meaning or purpose, except perhaps to get some perverse joy out of it. I liked the twist at the end.

Silently Burning

This story is the perfect description of “don't judge a book by its cover”. And how women are always underestimated but then elicit surprises when they naturally exceed expectations.

A New Recruit

This can be considered a story about memories and nostalgia, and how important it can be to keep them close to our heart.

Team Sarashina

This was a tale about how formidable a united group of women can be if they decide to strive for winning and aren't scared of what anyone else will think about it.

A Day Off

I could totally empathize with the main character here who supports women being harassed or molested, and is just in despair because she doesn't know if a life without all this is possible for any woman to find.

Having a Blast

I think this one really depicted how a wife and husband can view their marriage and relationship very differently. Very interesting take on how the women might feel after they no longer have a husband to take care of.

The Missing One

A young woman trying to run her own business because she wants to work for herself, and trying to imagine all the worst possible scenarios so that she wouldn't be surprised when something bad happened, seemed like a very realistic character to me. I also loved the little bit of history weaved through this story along with a lovely meet cute.

On High

Interesting story of kind of a guardian angel (or ghost) staying on to guard the castle as well as the town, but feeling lonely because she has been doing it for too long and wondering maybe if she should give it up.

What a great find! I discovered this while looking for the “essay collection by an author I haven't read” prompt from the 2022 genre reading challenge. Though I cheated a little bit since I don't think this was actually an “essay collection”...

Anyway, Japanese literature never fails to impress and entertain me thus far. This was such a cool concept, reintroducing Japanese ghost stories in the modern world. It's eerie at times but mostly comical.

I read this via audiobook and the narrator did a great job with the dialogue. I'm already looking forward to reading this in printed form so I could note a few passages I liked (a sad limitation I found in audiobooks because I'm too lazy to pause and transcribe every quote I come across).