Asleep (SqueakyChu's Bookray)

Registered by wingSqueakyChuwing of Rockville, Maryland USA on 1/8/2005
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38 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by wingSqueakyChuwing from Rockville, Maryland USA on Saturday, January 8, 2005
This is a very special trade paperback. I purchased it from a used book store in Silver Spring, Maryland. The owner (one of three, actually) of the book store is a woman I first encountered on a mailing list where the members discuss fiction. It was my delight to get to meet her in person. I had her put the name of her store and her signature inside the front cover. I hope to have her watch this book as it travels the world.

From the back of the book:
"In Asleep, Banana Yoshimoto, the internationally best-selling author of Kitchen, gives us three dazzling stories of young women bewitched into a spiritual sleep. One mourning for a lost lover, finds herself sleepwalking at night. Another, who has embarked on a relationship with a man whose wife is in a coma, finds herself suddenly unable to stay awake. A third finds her sleep haunted by a woman whom she was once pitted against in a love triangle. Sly and mystical as a ghost story, with a touch of Kafkaesque surrealism, Asleep is a delight."

International Bookray (Begins 1/8/05)
SqueakyChu (Maryland) done
rhythmbiscuit (Colorado) done
CdnBlueRose (Colorado) done
midwinter (Arizona) done
affinity4books (Texas) done
lunabjp (Missouri) done
chryso (Michigan) done
megi53 (Virginia) done
Lpree (Maryland) done
petaloka (New York) done -- Stop #10
vivdripper (Massachusetts) done
Sobergirl (Finland) done
Niksu (Finland) done
CandyDarling (Finland) done
Hawkette (UK) done -- 1 year of travel
woosang (Australia) done
Imn60 (Australia) done
ldpaulson (California, USA) done
Suefitz (California, USA) done -- 2 years of travel
hendertuckian (Nevada, USA) done -- Stop #20
LOTUSNEKO (Illinois, USA) done
Neuilly (Maine, USA) done
Jare (New Mexico, USA) done
iliotropio (Belgium) done -- 3 years of travel
kiyoitsukikage (Poland) done
hippolein (Finland) done
Teddyke (Finland) done
Aspen72 (Finland) done
seethroughfaith (Finland) done
hiddencat12 (UK) done -- Stop #30
pazyryk (Portugal) done -- 4 years of travel
ielfling (New Zealand) done
jubby (Australia) done
FreePages (Australia) done
Jean-Sol (Australia) done
hyphen8 (Hawaii, USA) done
peacejunkie84 (Alabama, USA) -- 5 years of travel
International Bookray (Ends 1/17/10)

This bookray was ended because it remained stalled in Alabama with no further word of it for 8 months. Thanks to all who participated, helping to achieve a Most Travelled Book status for this book. This book travelled for 5 years with 37 stops, including 7 countries and 16 states in the USA.

ETA: Hurray! This book was on BookCrossing's list of 100 Most Traveled Books. On (06/17/09), it was listed as Book #35.


Journal Entry 2 by wingSqueakyChuwing from Rockville, Maryland USA on Wednesday, January 19, 2005
This was the first book I've read by Banana Yoshimoto, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Her style is reminiscent of Haruki Murakami, with the same simple, tender, and melancholy mood.

I definitely liked the first of the three stores the best. This was a nice introduction to Yoshimoto's writing. I'd like to continue to explore more of her works.

The book is on its way to rhythmbiscuit. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 3 by rhythmbiscuit from Northglenn, Colorado USA on Saturday, January 29, 2005
Wow, first on the bookray! Thank you, SqueakyChu. I will read this book soon.

Journal Entry 4 by rhythmbiscuit from Northglenn, Colorado USA on Thursday, March 3, 2005
I started this book last night. I have an announcement in my classroom where I post what I'm currently reading, and my students think it's bizarre and fascinating that I'm reading a book by a woman named Banana.

Journal Entry 5 by rhythmbiscuit from Northglenn, Colorado USA on Friday, March 11, 2005
I finished this book and mailed it to CdnBlueRose yesterday. I'm not sure why, but I found Yoshimoto's writing to be the kind that while I was reading it, I skimmed over sentences to get the general meaning. Some stories I soak up word for word, but these I didn't. Maybe it was because I felt that I should pass the book along. All in all, I liked the last story best.

Happy reading!

Journal Entry 6 by rhythmbiscuit at on Friday, March 11, 2005

Released 19 yrs ago (3/10/2005 UTC) at

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Mailed to CdnBlueRose. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 7 by CdnBlueRose from Steinbach, Manitoba Canada on Monday, March 14, 2005
Received today, will read, journal, and pass along asap. Thanks!

Journal Entry 8 by CdnBlueRose from Steinbach, Manitoba Canada on Friday, March 25, 2005
Hmmm.... what to say?? I'm on the fence with this one, not sure if I liked it or not - I found it odd and I'm not sure I liked the style of writing - it was very different to anything I'd read before. I preferred the last story, but overall, found these stories just a touch too sad for my liking. I may try another of her books though as I find it interesting that I'm not quite sure what to think! Perhaps more of her work would resolve that.... Anyway, I am mailing this on to midwinter tomorrow morning - I hope she enjoys it more than I did....

Journal Entry 9 by wingmidwinterwing from Tucson, Arizona USA on Friday, April 8, 2005
It's here :) Will read and journal shortly...

Journal Entry 10 by wingmidwinterwing from Tucson, Arizona USA on Thursday, April 28, 2005
This was my first exposure to Banana and I'm so glad I finally picked up one of her books! I found myself wondering how much was being lost in translation - what word choices weren't quite in-keeping with the author's intent - and which ones worked flawlessly. Of the three, I think the last story spoke the most powerfully to me. If read metaphorically, it parallels a real-life bout of depression - something I can relate to very strongly. I loved the optimism and hope at the end of the book - the perfect close to a dreamy series of stories. Kind of like waking up from a nap.

Incidentally, my bf, Telerandil, read this in one sitting on the day it arrived, so it's been enjoyed by one other person on it's travels :)

Passing on to affinity4books today...

Journal Entry 11 by affinity4books from Bryan, Texas USA on Tuesday, May 3, 2005
Got in the mail today! I'm looking forward to reading this one- Banana is an author I've been wanting to try for a while now.

Journal Entry 12 by affinity4books from Bryan, Texas USA on Wednesday, May 11, 2005
What a beautiful book that transports you somewhere else entirely... a dreamy surreal world where interesting encounters abound... I was really swept away by the mood or atmosphere of the writing. I was definitely engrossed although I tried to read slowly and savor. I liked all three stories- they fit together thematically and had the same feel to them- but I felt the last one was most powerful in that it could help people who haven't experienced depression gain some understanding of it. I definitely want to read more of her work.
Thanks for sharing this adorable little book and introducing me to a new author!

Journal Entry 13 by affinity4books at on Thursday, May 12, 2005

Released 18 yrs ago (5/12/2005 UTC) at

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mailed to the next on the list

Journal Entry 14 by lunabjp on Thursday, May 19, 2005
Thanks for including me- It's been a long time since I've read something by Banana Yoshimoto- I'm looking forward to it.

Journal Entry 15 by lunabjp on Saturday, June 4, 2005
Each of these three stories was an escape into a soft, hazy, strange world. There is a very dreamlike quality to the writing. I really enjoyed these stories-although the slim volume is perfect.

Journal Entry 16 by Chryso from Detroit, Michigan USA on Sunday, June 5, 2005
It's in my hands--thanks! Looking forward to reading it.

Journal Entry 17 by Chryso from Detroit, Michigan USA on Wednesday, June 15, 2005
I, too, liked the third story best, although my favorite scene was in the second story, the strange encounter in the little room. This is the first I've read of Yoshimoto's work, and will read more. Thanks for sharing this, SqueakyChu!

Journal Entry 18 by Chryso from Detroit, Michigan USA on Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Controlled release, sent this afternoon to megi53. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 19 by Megi53 from Danville, Virginia USA on Monday, June 20, 2005
Banana Yoshimoto comes highly recommended. Hers was one of the first "new-to-me" names I noticed when I joined Bookcrossing over a year ago. I loved NP and I expect to enjoy this one just as much.

Asleep arrived in the mail today, and I plan to finish it by the 2nd week of July.

Journal Entry 20 by Megi53 from Danville, Virginia USA on Thursday, June 23, 2005
I enjoyed reading these three stories because they had dreams, songs, seasons, lovers, and family -- all presented in a positive light of pure goodness.

Usually I don't care for supernatural elements in fiction, but Banana's books are an exception. Tanaka the midget's sceance in *Love Songs* was awesome!

The weather was a major factor in the plots, and I thought it was interesting that the first story was set mainly in winter, the second in spring, and the third in summer.

My only complaints are that the action jumped from present to past so often in "Night and Night's Travelers" that it was hard for me to keep up; and that the translator sometimes overused a word. "Vaguely" comes to mind -- it appeared twice on the same page.

Terako's experiences with work during her temp jobs were fun to read about. A quote from her story that especially resonated with me: "I think that at some point along the way the feeling of being healthy must have come back to me." (p. 175)

Mailing to Lpree during my lunch hour today.

Journal Entry 21 by Lpree from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Tuesday, June 28, 2005
This arrived in today's mail. I'm finishing up another bookring book but this will be next on my list. I enjoyed "Kitchen" so I'm looking forward to reading another book by this author!

Journal Entry 22 by Lpree from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Tuesday, July 5, 2005
I finished this book over the weekend. What an interesting perspective on sleep... I enjoyed all three stories in this book. I've read "Kitchen" and will certainly look for more books by this author.

I already have petaloka's address and will mail it out in the next couple of days.

Thanks very much to SqueakyChu for starting this ray!

--media mailed to petaloka on july 6--

Journal Entry 23 by petaloka from Rockland, New York USA on Saturday, July 23, 2005
This was waiting for me when I reurned from my vacation. I have to finish the book I'm reading and this is next on the list.

Journal Entry 24 by petaloka from Rockland, New York USA on Friday, July 29, 2005
Another little gem by Yoshimoto. She has such a talent for putting the sublime and subtle into words. Mailed to vivdripper today - 7/29/05.

Journal Entry 25 by vivdripper from Quincy, Massachusetts USA on Monday, August 1, 2005
I received this today. I haven't read anything by this author and I am looking forward to this one. Thanks for letting me participate in this ring.

Journal Entry 26 by vivdripper from Quincy, Massachusetts USA on Sunday, August 28, 2005
I mailed this a few days ago. It's on its way to Finland! I'm glad I had the chance to read this and I liked the author's simple style of writing. She did an amazing job setting the tone of each story. I felt though, a deep sense of sadness while reading these stories and I'm not sure that I connected enough to the characters to warrant feeling this. Perhaps this says more about my mood these days than the book itself. Thanks SqueakyChu.

Journal Entry 27 by Sobergirl from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Thanks! The book arrived!

Journal Entry 28 by Sobergirl from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Wednesday, August 31, 2005
I did my best to read the first story but just couldn't get a grip on it. So off it goes to Niksu in Helsinki. I liked "Kitchen" a lot better.

Journal Entry 29 by Niksu from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Friday, September 2, 2005
What a surprise! I didn’t expect it to arrive so soon. Thanks Sobergirl and too bad you didn’t like the book.

I'll read this before 13th. We have our monthly BC-meetup then so I'll hope I can give this book to CandyDarling there.

Journal Entry 30 by Niksu from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Monday, September 5, 2005
I love Yoshimotos books. They are at the same time sad but so beautiful. Unfortunately I'm sure her books lost some of its beauty due to the translation though. It would be amazing to read these in japanese. I enjoyed all three stories, but especially the first one.

I have PM'd with CandyDarling and we'll meet in our BC-meeting on 13th August.

Journal Entry 31 by CandyDarling from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Got the book from Niksu today. I've read Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto before, and I liked it very much, so I'm looking forward to reading this. Thank you SqueakyChu for organising this ray!

Journal Entry 32 by CandyDarling from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Thursday, November 3, 2005
The book caught me at a bad time, because I wasn't in a mood for this kind of book, and I finally gave up and mailed it today to Hawkette. I read the first story, and I liked it, but I wasn't mesmerized by it in the same way I was by "Kitchen". That might have had something to do with my mood, and not so much with the quality of the story. I will definitely check this out from the library at some point, because I want to read more of Banana Yoshimoto's beautiful stories.

Journal Entry 33 by Hawkette from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Saturday, November 5, 2005
Arrived with me this morning. I love this author! Looking forward to this one!!

Journal Entry 34 by Hawkette from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, December 7, 2005
Read this yesterday on a sleepy train to Wales and back - perfect!

There is something so mesmorising about Banana's stories. They aren't really of or about anything, just a whispy, dreamy feeling to them, which can carry you away.

I will be sending this on as soon as I have an address. Thanks for sharing it around!

Journal Entry 35 by woosang from Campbelltown, New South Wales Australia on Saturday, June 24, 2006
OOOH C&^*. I had totoally forgotten the existence of this book. Thanks so much for the boot, I had to hurridly dig it out from the disaster area of my desk. Very very very sorry! I have no idea when it turned up, but it was sometime early this year. I will move it alone very soon!

**Hiding under desk in shame!**

Journal Entry 36 by woosang from Campbelltown, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, June 29, 2006
Nice little book of thee stories. I was charmed by the stories, even though they are sad little stories of bereavement. All the charcters were grieving, even the last one. I thought the last story was more ling winded than the previous two, a few times whilst reading it I felt the story could have ended but it just seemed to keep going.
The first story was nice, about healing after losing someone dear, but my favourite is the second story of a woman coming to terms with a woman in her past. Thanks for sharing I apologise again for holding the whole ray up, and it will travel next week to the next person.

Journal Entry 37 by winglmn60wing from Spotswood, Victoria Australia on Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Arrived safely in my letter box today. I have a couple of others ahead of it, but will read and forward ASAP.

Journal Entry 38 by winglmn60wing from Spotswood, Victoria Australia on Thursday, August 24, 2006
This is my first work by Banana Yoshimoto, though I suspect it won't be the last!
As other journallers have noted, I too enjoyed the 'dreamlike' quality of her writing - thought suspect that some of the more delicate nuances have been lost in translation.
Of the three stories, I enjoyed the final one, 'Asleep', the most. I didn't read it as a story of depression, however, and found myself wondering what it was about Mr Iwanaga that led the two women in his life to spend so much time sleeping....

Thanks for sharing this one, SqueakyChu. I'll PM janetcarolina straight away and send it over to Peru ASAP.

Journal Entry 39 by winglmn60wing from Spotswood, Victoria Australia on Sunday, September 3, 2006
janetcarolina has asked to be skipped - so I'm sending this one on to ldpaulson tomorrow.

Journal Entry 40 by ldpaulson from Ventura, California USA on Sunday, November 12, 2006
Ack! I missed noting this book's arrival. I read it, enjoyed it.

It's off to suefitz!


Journal Entry 41 by Suefitz from Saratoga, California USA on Monday, November 20, 2006
This book arrived safely - hope to do some reading over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Journal Entry 42 by Suefitz from Saratoga, California USA on Monday, February 5, 2007
Slow read for me, but interesting once finished.

Will be mailing out tomorrow

Released 17 yrs ago (2/10/2007 UTC) at Bookray in -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, trades, California USA

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Releasing to next in line Hendertuckian.

Enjoy

Journal Entry 44 by hendertuckian from Henderson, Nevada USA on Saturday, February 17, 2007
the premise of this book just sounded to good to pass up

Released 17 yrs ago (3/10/2007 UTC) at -- By Post Or By Hand/ In Person, RABCK, Bookring/Ray in Henderson, Nevada USA

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I'm sorry it took so long for me to read but as good as it was, I kept falling asleep. It drove me nuts as I would be able to read a page or two then nap. Some great sleeping however. I would wake up and try to read a few more pages but if I didn't get up and move around, I was falling asleep again. The book itself was ghosty and wispy but not in a ghoulish sense. sending it on to the next person in the bookring

Journal Entry 46 by LOTUSNEKO from Tucson, Arizona USA on Friday, June 29, 2007
Received in the mail. Thank you! Shall begin reading ASAP.

Journal Entry 47 by LOTUSNEKO from Tucson, Arizona USA on Monday, August 20, 2007
How could a book about sleep be so interesting? Asleep, by Banana Yoshimoto, is one of the best books I have ever read. Her writing style is a marvel. Reading Asleep was an experience the like of which I never before had. I plan to purchase this and every one of her other books, something I have never done before with any writer.

Asleep contains three novellas all dealing not only with sleep and the other side of that coin, insomnia, but sleep as a border between dreams and reality, between life and death. What the stories are about does not matter so much as the vehicle of prose that carries the characters and the reader along on what truly feels like a literary cloud. Usually, in a book of novellas, one will stand out as your favorite. All the stories here are equally good. The very end of the last story wraps the theme up to a positive, upbeat close.

The book is of course translated from Japanese, but the character''s stories, all told in first-person, contain universal feelings and emotions. Yoshimoto wends her pen so deftly that the book has an emotional healing quality.

I recommend reading this book when you are drowsy and about two hours away from sleeping. If that is not possible, at least be very relaxed with no interruptions if possible. Let her take you to the edge.

Ten stars for this book; highly recommended. Sweet dreams!

Terrabruciata never responded to my request for a mailing address. This book is now packaged and ready to send to Neuilly.


Journal Entry 48 by Neuilly from Brooklyn, New York USA on Sunday, September 2, 2007
Woo! I love bookrings :) I just got this book in the mail today. I will start it this week, just need to finish up the book I'm on. It looks relatively short so I shouldn't have it for too long. I look forward to the read.

Journal Entry 49 by Neuilly from Brooklyn, New York USA on Monday, September 3, 2007
Erm, so much for waiting until I'd finished the book I was in the middle of when this arrived. I couldn't stop myself and read the first story today.

What fabulous writing!! It's really beautiful. I guess it could be called simplistic but it's amazing how much like a dream her writing really is (especially considering it had to survive translating). There's an overlying sense of melancholy to the story but it's not really a depressing tale. The funny part is that I got so wrapped up in the style of her writing that it kind of distracted me from the story itself, lol. But then again while I liked the writing, I'm not quite sure how I felt about the story...wasn't particularly interesting to me, but the writing sucked me in. Not sure if that made any sense but those are my thoughts!!

And on to the next two stories!! (but perhaps finishing up the other book first, we'll see)

Thanks squeakychu for starting this ring!! You've blessed me with so many good books in the past few years :)


Edit:
9/6/07: Finished story number 2: Love Songs. I liked this one much more. I could connect to it better although I've never been in a situation like that. However, the idea that when looking back you showed love to the wrong people or hid your true feelings about others is relevant to everyone. Often in the most emotional time people are the worst at analyzing themselves and their lives. I thought this story was told really well and I love the Midget. Mizuo...not entirely sure what I thought about it. He was indeed hard to read, but her affection for him was very clear. In the end, this story actually left me rather happy.

Journal Entry 50 by Neuilly from Brooklyn, New York USA on Saturday, September 8, 2007
Finished (fast for me) and I've PMed the next person in line. I admit the last story did seem a bit long. I loved that she ended on an up note. I can see arguments for saying it's a story about depression and arguments against it. I think the wonderful thing about Yoshimoto's writing is that she gives you enough to be able to connect it to your own life and experiences but isn't specific enough for you to really know if you're right or wrong in your interpretation. An enjoyable read...thanks once again for starting this ring!

Journal Entry 51 by wingjarewing from New Port Richey, Florida USA on Thursday, September 27, 2007
The book arrived today, thanks for passing it on, and thanks to SqueakyChu for starting the bookray! I have loved everything of Yoshimoto's I have read to date, so looking forward to diving into this one!

Journal Entry 52 by wingjarewing from New Port Richey, Florida USA on Friday, November 2, 2007
Beautiful! I just love Yoshimoto. Once you pick up one of her books, it's like you are in a trance and aren't freed until you finish reading. This was no exception. I particularly liked the title story. I have PM'd KarinAlyssa and will ship when I get an address. Thanks so much for sharing!

11-11-07 sent a second PM to KarinAlyssa for address.
01-15-07 KarinAlyssa, Necroscope, and Xanthe-pup are all asking to be skipped, so I have sent a PM to YellowBow for an address to move the book along.
01-16-07 YellowBow has asked to be moved down on the list, have PM'd iliotropio

Journal Entry 53 by iliotropio from Bruxelles / Brussel, Bruxelles / Brussel Belgium on Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Arrived safely in Brussels. Thanks Jare!

Journal Entry 54 by iliotropio from Bruxelles / Brussel, Bruxelles / Brussel Belgium on Tuesday, July 1, 2008
This deliciously surrealistic book has left the heart of Europe and is on its way to Poland. Happy reading kiyoitsukikage!

Journal Entry 55 by kiyoitsukikage from Brixton, Greater London United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 5, 2008
This was waiting for me when I arrived home today.
Thank you!

Journal Entry 56 by kiyoitsukikage from Brixton, Greater London United Kingdom on Saturday, September 20, 2008
The stories have a phantasmic quality to them, something that was also characteristic of "Kitchen". The first one didnt much appeal to me, but I liked the other two a lot. I thought the 2nd one was well constructed in that how the truth is only gradually unveiled tot he reader.
Thank you for sharing!

Journal Entry 57 by kiyoitsukikage at To the next participant, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, September 20, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (9/19/2008 UTC) at To the next participant, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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On the way to Finland

Journal Entry 58 by hippolein from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The book arrived safely in Helsinki today. Thanks a lot for organising the ray and for sending the book to Finland!
Looking forward to reading the book ;-) will probably go to my dear wife first, as I have 3 rings before it :-(

Journal Entry 59 by hippolein from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Thursday, October 2, 2008
Finished this one in between, as the weather was too bad here in Helsinki for reading a murder-mystery (at least for me).
I liked the first two stories a lot, talked to me in a strange way, very enjoyable, nice to go through and think about.
But then the last one I just didn't get the hang of it, seemed so super strange that I didn't find the topic attractive at all. I did manage to finish it (what happens when you don't have anything else to read during the trips with the metro) but certainly wouldn't want to read it again.

This stays still TBR as my wife will give it a try!

Journal Entry 60 by Teddyke from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Monday, October 6, 2008
Read it and didn't like it very much, somehow, but it wasn't bad at all - well written--- and I liked the first story best. I didn't find this book very "Japanese", though I can't really say why. The book will be passed on to Aspen72.

Journal Entry 61 by hippolein at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, October 6, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (10/6/2008 UTC) at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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This book leaves this afternoon for Turku.
Didn't want to wait one week to get it delivered by another bookcrosser, but the other book for Aspen72 will come that way ;-)
Have fun reading!

Journal Entry 62 by AspenYard from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Thank you. This well travelled book is now again in Turku :)

Journal Entry 63 by AspenYard from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Wednesday, October 29, 2008
These three novels had much in common: in all of them some friend of narrator had recently died, and all people, both dead and alive, were young. Novels dealt a lot with deadth, and survival of sorrow. I wonder whether this has something to do with Japanese culture or whether that subject just is close to the author for some reason. Yoshimoto generally writes of quite tough, unpleasant and inconvenient issues and emotions.
Somehow her stories in this book were simple, having only few details. Those few things were analysed and told and retold and once again retold several times from different viewpoints. Structure could be described like "peeling of an onion", having kind of healing effect, which made reading a bit exhausting, and I became a bit uneasy due to slow tempo, even though all novels had kind of positive ending.
Her writings are easy to read - once I've heard a comment that if a text is easy to read, lots of work has been put into it. I don't know how much translation affects here.

Thanks for sharing! I'll give this to seethroughfaith, soon.



#62 release in Keep them moving 2008 challenge

Journal Entry 64 by seethroughfaith from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Friday, October 31, 2008
I'd said "no" to anymore book rings for now because I'm so very busy ... but then Aspen PMd me to tell me this well-travelled book was here -and that it was good - and when I heard it was three short stories I thought mmm maybe I can manage that - so I walked the dogs today and met her at her workplace.

Will try to get this read soon - and hope it's as good as Aspen said :) And will PM hiddencat12 now to get her address etc.

Thanks everyone for this ring. I haven't had time to read the comments yet. But I will ...

Journal Entry 65 by seethroughfaith from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Friday, October 31, 2008
Copied from PM to me ...

Hello seethroughfaith,

Just a quick and fun note. With your receipt of Asleep, you have
catapulted this book into Bookcrossing's List of top 100 Most Traveled
Books. Thought you'd like to know! :)

http://www.bookcrossing.com/bookstats/mosttraveled

Best,

SqueakyChu

Journal Entry 66 by seethroughfaith from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Monday, November 10, 2008
I read this book on the train to/from Helsinki.
I really didn't like the middle story at all - and thought the first one was the best of the three.

Thanks for the opportunity to read it though. I have hiddencat12's address so it'll be going out this week!

This is the 24th book I've read for the 2008 A-Z challenge on the Finnish Forum. (I still have five books to read, I (I), O, U and Z. There are two I's because in Finnish there are 29 letters in the alphabet so three letters were added at random for those of us who chose not to read in Finnish. Hoping I can make the challenge let's see!)

Journal Entry 67 by hiddencat12 from Filey, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Friday, November 14, 2008
This book arrived last night. Im hoping to read it and send it on as quickly as possible. It's my first book ring so im quite excited. have sent a PM to yellowbow so will passit on as soon as ive finished.

Journal Entry 68 by hiddencat12 from Filey, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Sunday, November 16, 2008
I haven't finished reading this book yet. but I really enjoyed the first twostories and only have one more to read. should be finished by wednesday so just waiting for a reply from yellowbow.
The first story felt like it should be longer and it took me a while to get used to the jumping back and forth but the second one was very good and the last one is cool so far.

Journal Entry 69 by hiddencat12 from Filey, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Monday, November 17, 2008
Have finished Reading it and liked the last one best. I think it was a bit longer than the others but it seemed more real than the first two.
am now just waiting for yellowbow's address

Journal Entry 70 by hiddencat12 from Filey, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Monday, November 24, 2008
am contacting the next person on the list due to non response from yellowbow.

Journal Entry 71 by hiddencat12 at RABCK, -- Por correio / mão própria -- Portugal on Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (11/26/2008 UTC) at RABCK, -- Por correio / mão própria -- Portugal

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I posted this book at about 1.00 today so hopfully it will arrive within a few days.

Journal Entry 72 by pazyryk from Torres Vedras, Lisboa (distrito) Portugal on Thursday, December 4, 2008
Arrived safely. Thanks hiddencat12 and SqueakyChu. To be read as soon as possible.

Journal Entry 73 by pazyryk from Torres Vedras, Lisboa (distrito) Portugal on Thursday, January 29, 2009
Just finished.
First book of this author and it was a wonderful discover. I really loved the style and the story plots, specially the last one "Asleep". Thank you very much for this opportunity SqueakyChu. I will send it now for the other side of the planet, to Ielfling in New Zealand.

Journal Entry 74 by ielfling on Monday, February 9, 2009
How exciting! A Japanese book from Silver Spring coming to me in NZ from Portugal (thanks so much, pazyryk)! It looks really good - am reading something pretty average at the moment and so will look forward to getting into this. It should be an interesting read after taking a look at others' comments. I loved 'Kitchen' like some others here and found both the style and the subject matter utterly absorbing (was working in a library when I came across it, during the summer holidays, and hid behind the shelves to finish it off at work).

Journal Entry 75 by ielfling on Tuesday, March 10, 2009
I enjoyed this. Her writing always makes me more aware of the world around me, particularly the weather, in a meditative way. Small daily rituals become something to notice and pay more attention to. Still loved 'Kitchen' the mostest, but this wasn't bad. I liked the Twin Peaksy idea of a room in the middle of nowhere and nothing where you can meet the dead.

This is now on it's way to jubby!

Journal Entry 76 by jubby from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Monday, March 16, 2009
Why hello lovely book! I have been waiting what feels like an age for you!

Thank you very much for organising this ring SqueakyChu, and to you ielfling for posting it to me.

Looking forward to reading this bookring in the near future (I've got two others I am currently reading).

Edited 22/4/09:
Yes, I did post this book on before journalling it - sorry Freepages.

I have been struggling with work and a small, non-sleeping, night-loving baby. But, I was finally able to get myself to the post office, and thought I would seize the opportunity and get this (and several other books) posted off before journalling.

I greatly enjoyed reading this bookring.
I had also read 'Amrita', and was disappointed at the time, because I felt that perhaps the work itself had not been as diligently translated as this book has been.

I can see common themes of loss, sexuality, coming of age and the border between the real and spiritual world in all of the Banana Yoshimoto stories that I have read so far.

I especially liked her way of writing that seems so effortless and convivial, while gathering in suspense and drama.

Lots of fun, and I will certainly be making an effort to read more of her stories (which I already have, but must make the effort to read).
Thank you for sharing this book with me.

PS. Hollistic asked to be skipped, and mentioned joining another bookring for this book.

Journal Entry 77 by FreePages from Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Monday, April 20, 2009
Asleep is in the Capital! Or should I say Asleep in The Capital :-)

I wasn't quite expecting it to turn up in my mailbox this quick!
It's also arrived before dear Jubby has had a chance to journal it.
I'm really interested in this book because I'm on a ring for her book "Kitchen" that has made it onto the 1001 list and it sounds like this one will be a good intro to her writing. It's also fun to read a book thats made it onto the BC most travelled list.
I must say it's still in good condition to.
I'll pause my reading of "Great Expectations" and start on this today.

Thanks for sending it Jubby, and everyone else before...
I'll check with Hollistic to see if they want it next.
:-)

Journal Entry 78 by FreePages at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Thursday, April 23, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (4/23/2009 UTC) at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia

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This was an entertaining little book. There seemed to be an intangible feeling of loss throughout and the writing was very much like Haruki Murakami's.
I couldn't really pick a favourite of the 3, there were elements of each that I liked. Quite ironically, I was reading it in bed and the dreamlike easy feel of the stories lulled me off to sleep once or twice :-)

In the post today to Jean-Sol. Hollistic asked to be skiped.

Thanks to Squeaky-chu for the opportunity to read it and everyone else who passed it on before me.



Journal Entry 79 by wingAnonymousFinderwing on Thursday, April 30, 2009
Arrived in the mail today. Thanks FreePages for your kind note and I'm afraid that I ripped the packaging apart in my excitement, so it won't go any further now... sorry!
The book is now at the top of my TBR list. I'm very curious to read it.

CAUGHT IN MELBOURNE VICTORIA AUSTRALIA

Journal Entry 80 by wingJean-Solwing from Melbourne CBD, Victoria Australia on Thursday, April 30, 2009
I'm so sorry - the previous 'anonymous' entry was mine, I had forgotten to login. I've done this one before, which was embarassing enough, but twice... anyway the book is with me and it will be read soon and forwarded promptly.

Journal Entry 81 by wingJean-Solwing from Melbourne CBD, Victoria Australia on Saturday, May 9, 2009
I thought I wasn't going to get into this book at all, then it happened, to the point that I found the whole experience so absorbing and haunting I had to get a day's breathing space between stories 2 and 3. I liked all 3 stories. To me it seemed like the same story across 3 different variations, with the weather and city as slightly claustrophobic background scenery. I really liked it, it was different and I have no doubt the translation has changed some things to it, whether it lost or added to it I cannot tell as I will never read the original Japanese! It was the first Yoshimoto book I read, I'm so glad I read it and I definitely want to read more from her.

Journal Entry 82 by wingJean-Solwing at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, May 9, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (5/8/2009 UTC) at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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Leaving rainy, wintry Melbourne today and on its to hyphen8 and exotic Hawaii (3 Australian 'Earth Hour' stamps on the envelope which I hope you will like, hyphen8).

Journal Entry 83 by winghyphen8wing from Honolulu, Hawaii USA on Saturday, May 16, 2009
I'm on my way out the door to the Hawaii Book and Music Festival, but I just wanted to say that Asleep is here.

Thank you for the stamps!

Apparently the Velcro on the reusable envelopes is as hearty as it appears to be - this book got from Australia to Hawaii with no other sealing, which makes me feel like maybe I can risk *not* putting tape on it when I send it out again! ;)

I'm a bit astonished, though. This book seems to have gotten through with no customs info and no return address?! I've had domestic packages "inspected" for not having a return address, so I guess Jean-Sol must have the magic touch.

Journal Entry 84 by winghyphen8wing from Honolulu, Hawaii USA on Saturday, May 23, 2009
This is the third Banana book I've read. I know I liked Kitchen best; I'm not sure whether I liked this one or not, but it was interesting. She definitely doesn't write about perfect cookie-cutter Asians! :p

What I'll remember from this book? Butter soy sauce popcorn. Gonna have to try that one.

Oh, and I love fireworks. In Japanese the word is hanabi - it uses the characters for flower (hana) and fire (hi), which has always seemed perfect to me - much more descriptive than the English. Photo of hanabi in Japan taken from this website: http://www.japantravel.co.uk/ask/index.php/2008/01/15/japanese-fireworks/ (edited to add the characters for the word).

PM'd peacejunkie84 for an address so I can send this on..and got a reply so this book will go out on Tuesday (since Monday's a holiday). A book that's been traveling for 4 years carries a lot of responsibility, so I'll get it moving again ASAP! :)

Edit: work is so crazy right now that I wish I'd exercised a little selective incompetence a while back (like one of the characters in this book) so I wouldn't be expected to do so much!

Journal Entry 85 by winghyphen8wing at Honolulu, Hawaii USA on Monday, May 25, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (5/26/2009 UTC) at Honolulu, Hawaii USA

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This well-traveled little book will be mailed to Alabama tomorrow. For a book that's nominally about sleeping, it sure is active! ;)

Journal Entry 86 by peacejunkie84 from Fort Rucker, Alabama USA on Friday, May 29, 2009
Received this today! Is second in line. :)

Journal Entry 87 by winghyphen8wing from Honolulu, Hawaii USA on Thursday, March 11, 2010
peacejunkie84, I hope all is well with you. Won't you please journal this book and let us know what's happening? It's sad that this book has stopped traveling after having passed through the hands of so many bookcrossers. E-mails, PMs and ISOs have not gotten any response, but karen07814 said she was writing to you via snail mail about another book so she's including a note about this one as well. We'd love to hear from you...

Set the status as traveling since it isn't in my possession.

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