Read June 2024
Three stories.
The first two, Kitchen & Full moon, belong together and get a combined rating of 3 stars. I did like reading them, but they never fully grabbed me.
Also, I’m not sure how I feel about the transgender representation in them. Sure, it’s written in a different time & culture from when I’m reading it, but Idk?

I should add that in my edition the translator has made the choice to express certain things with a little more subtlety and to bring that aspect more towards the present.

As a reader this change did make my reading experience a better one, but it also makes me wonder if I’m reading the text as the author intended? Anyways that’s something to think about (if there even is a 100% correct answer...) For now, I’ve decided to trust the translator in his interpretation & translation of the text.

The third story, a standalone, called Moonlight Shadow, was much more my cup of tea and gets a 4.5 star rating. I really liked the melancholic, mysterious tone and the magical realism aspect. Kinda gave me Studio Ghibli vibes?

3+3 (first two stories + 4.5 (last story) / 3 = 3.5 stars total.

*read with vpro club lees