Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful, but too darn short!
Review: The book clocking in at only 110 pages is my only complaint. The stories in the book are wonderful, my favorites being: "In the Grove," "Yam Gruel," and "The Martyr." "In the Grove" deals with the murder of a samurai and the many different tellings of his death; I refuse to go into detail here because that would ruin the story for those who hgave not read it, but let me say that explanations come from all sides. "Yam Gruel" deals with a 5th ranked official/samurai called Goi whose only desire in life is to eat his fill of yam gruel, but given the opportunity to do so causes him to reflect on his life, and to see hor horrible it has been. "The Martyr" deals with Lorenzo and how he was excommunicated from a Jesuit church because it was believed he impregnated an umbrella maker's daughter, and how he redeems himself. The monks are definately in for a shock at the end, Great reading, but too bad it can be read in only a couple of hours by a fast reader.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, but too darn short!
Review: The book clocking in at only 110 pages is my only complaint. The stories in the book are wonderful, my favorites being: "In the Grove," "Yam Gruel," and "The Martyr." "In the Grove" deals with the murder of a samurai and the many different tellings of his death; I refuse to go into detail here because that would ruin the story for those who hgave not read it, but let me say that explanations come from all sides. "Yam Gruel" deals with a 5th ranked official/samurai called Goi whose only desire in life is to eat his fill of yam gruel, but given the opportunity to do so causes him to reflect on his life, and to see hor horrible it has been. "The Martyr" deals with Lorenzo and how he was excommunicated from a Jesuit church because it was believed he impregnated an umbrella maker's daughter, and how he redeems himself. The monks are definately in for a shock at the end, Great reading, but too bad it can be read in only a couple of hours by a fast reader.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent stories seen in Ghost Dog. Worth the few bucks
Review: These short stories are a good read; not too easy, but easy enough for everyone to enjoy. The Rashomon story is what I bought this book for and suprisingly enough, there are stories in the book that matched and even surpassed Rashomon in quality. All are very insightful on many levels and even though I don't like too many books, this one is one my favorite list.P.S. I give it a four (instead of a five) because the book is a fast read; an afternoon or two.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful stories of human nature
Review: These stories are excellent - well written in a technical sense, very observant of humanity. They capture the multiplicity of truth as seen by multiple people. In a Grove, the basis of the movie Rashomon, consists of the testimony of several people (including the victim through a medium) in which three people take responsibility for the death - a robber, the victim himself and the victim's wife. Each version appears to be true; each interprets the expressions of others differently than the person whose expression is described. Rashomon tells of a dismissed servent's decision to become a thief; he is then confronted with what others have chosen as necessary to survive. Yam Gruel tells of an official who is taunted and abused, receiving his one goal in life - to eat his full of yam gruel - only to discover that receiving the gruel is not as he anticipated. The Martyr tells of an orphan boy, raised by Jesuits, accused of fathering a child out of wedlock. He becomes a hero in a way that forces those who accused and shunned him to reconsider their actions. Kesa and Morito is a love triangle that will end in murder - but the love triangle is loveless. The Dragon is a practical joke gone awry; or is it really a joke? All the stories are well worth your time - enjoyable and thought-provoking.
Rating:
Summary: Excellence
Review: This book is a collection of short stories written by the eminent Japanese author, Ryunosuke Akutagawa (1892-1927). These six stories tend to revolve around moral ambiguities. 1) In A Grove is the story of a murder, whose witnesses all tell different, often mutually exclusive stories. 2) Rashomon is the story of a discharged servant who must choose between death and a life of crime and dishonor. 3) Yam Gruel tells the story of Goi, a samurai whose life falls to pieces as he dreams of the rare delicacy yam gruel, and who finds that having is not always as wonderful as wanting. 4) The Martyr reaches back to the 16th Century, to tell the story of a model Christian young man, who is excommunicated when he refuses to recognize a child attributed to him, but the truth he hides is not what everyone thinks. 5) Kesa And Morito is a tale of lust and betrayal. 6) The Dragon is the story of Hanazo, or priest who sets out to play a joke, but learns the power of belief. These stories are quite varied from each other, and all are excellently written. In A Grove is confusing (as is life), while Rashomon is somewhat depressing, and The Martyr is uplifting. But, all the stories are excellently written, and quite interesting. I highly recommend this book. To demonstrate the excellence of these stories, let me submit to you the following line from The Martyr: "For the sublimity of life culminates in the most precious moment of inspiration. Man will make his life worth living, if he tosses a wave aloft high into the starry sky, o'er life's dark main of worldly cares, to mirror in its crystal foam the light of the moon yet to rise."
Rating:
Summary: Rashoman
Review: This book was varied excellence. The off center views of the characters are incredible and vivid. I found meaning and peace of mind in THE MATYR. This story especially showed the best in the worst of people. This is the best collection of stories I have come across and a great surprise as well. I recommend this book highly for anyone looking for something short and sweet.
Rating:
Summary: a little something for everyone
Review: This is a wonderful book. Witty, charming and somehow welcomingus in its world. If you like stories you'll love these, if you're into creative writing definitely check it out.
Rating:
Summary: Despair, hope and luxurious soups
Review: This is the second Ryunosuke Akutagawa book that I have read, the first one being "Kappa." The change in tone was a bit of a shock for me, for whereas "Kappa" is a wry, witty political commentary, the stories collected in "Rashomon and Other Stories" are bleak and brilliant. Each of the stories, while very short indeed, packs a powerful punch. Akutagawa managed to condense despair into its basest elements, then packaged it raw and hurting, yet beautiful and human. The title story, "Roshomon," is a scant 9 1/2 pages long yet you would not wish for a single extra word to be included. Of course, not all the stories in this collection are so dismal. The longest tale, "Yam Gruel," shows something of the wittiness and lightness of "Kappa." Some of the stories, such as the catholic influenced, "The Martyr," might be considered uplifting if you take a spiritual lesson from it. "In the Grove," the story that is the basis for the Kurosawa film "Rashomon," is an engaging story on the truth and ego and interpretation. But bleak nonetheless. The translation of "Rashomon and Other Stories" is excellent, and captures the style and intent beautifully. It is a very old translation, as can be shown by the translator feeling the need to include a note explaining what "sushi" is. My single complaint about this book is that, for the price, it is very small indeed. It could have contained at least double the amount of Akutagawa short stories, which certainly exist, and been a better collection.
Rating:
Summary: Despair, hope and luxurious soups
Review: This is the second Ryunosuke Akutagawa book that I have read, the first one being "Kappa." The change in tone was a bit of a shock for me, for whereas "Kappa" is a wry, witty political commentary, the stories collected in "Rashomon and Other Stories" are bleak and brilliant. Each of the stories, while very short indeed, packs a powerful punch. Akutagawa managed to condense despair into its basest elements, then packaged it raw and hurting, yet beautiful and human. The title story, "Roshomon," is a scant 9 1/2 pages long yet you would not wish for a single extra word to be included. Of course, not all the stories in this collection are so dismal. The longest tale, "Yam Gruel," shows something of the wittiness and lightness of "Kappa." Some of the stories, such as the catholic influenced, "The Martyr," might be considered uplifting if you take a spiritual lesson from it. "In the Grove," the story that is the basis for the Kurosawa film "Rashomon," is an engaging story on the truth and ego and interpretation. But bleak nonetheless. The translation of "Rashomon and Other Stories" is excellent, and captures the style and intent beautifully. It is a very old translation, as can be shown by the translator feeling the need to include a note explaining what "sushi" is. My single complaint about this book is that, for the price, it is very small indeed. It could have contained at least double the amount of Akutagawa short stories, which certainly exist, and been a better collection.
Rating:
Summary: The most important thing
Review: Though weighing in at a sparse 110 pages, this collection of short stories has exactly what is needed to catch your attention: Story. Each short story exists only long enough to allow Akutagawa enough time to develop the scene and characters and to tell their story. The book is a quick read, and that may be its only failing. But the book never overstays its welcome and Akutagawa's writing style(s) is fun to read. For little more than the price of a supermarket paperback, you can have this gem on your bookshelf. I highly recommend it.
| 
