Where the Wild Ladies Are, by Aoko Matsuda, translated by Polly Barton

[sophia_sol]

This is a collection of short stories translated from Japanese, and inspired by traditional Japanese ghost stories, from what I understand, so I am absolutely confident I'm missing nuance and implications since I don't know any of the stories it's based on -- but you know what, this was an entirely charming book even coming in cold as an outsider.

The stories feature an exuberant mixing together of living people and ghosts, of people who have supernatural talents and people who don't, all just living their lives (or their deaths, lol) and being themselves. Some of the stories intertwine with each other, with characters who are minor background characters in one becoming the main character in another, giving you different perspectives on things in a fun way, but each story is complete in itself. The overall impression one gets is that the author just likes people, even the ones who are irritating or who make bad choices or who don't like other people themselves, and it's a very cheering sort of impression to come away with.

Thanks to skygiants for the recommendation!

Comments

[chestnut_pod]

Can't wait to read it!

[sophia_sol]

I hope you enjoy it too!

[skygiants]

ah I'm so glad you dug it! One does get the impression the author likes people, and is excited to see them grow in weird and wild and exuberant ways, which is really charming as the whole thing comes together.

[sophia_sol]

yes exactly!! amazing.