1,000 Words Left to Live

by Gyatei Murasaki, Matt Treyvaud (Translator)

A collection of twenty-six shocking, awe-inducing short stories! A doctor tells a patient they can speak only one thousand words before their life ends. Someone’s boyfriend turns into a can of mackerel. A woman is in her sixth year of pregnancy. This mysterious world is full of laughter and tears, and twists and turns sure to leave anyone reeling!

168 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication December 8, 2026

Reviews

[Daniel]

Favorite short stories:
"My Boyfriend Turned Into a Can of Mackerel": the tone was kind of perfect in this one
"The Laughing Bridge": funny twist at the end
"Good Morning, John Lennon": sweet story about those you lose in life
"Childhood Friend Certificates": punchy hook and ending
"Ginza This, Ginza That": reminded me of the short film "my footballer"
"A Grave Miscalculation": who doesn't want to read about a gold digger who ends up marrying the oldest man ever?
"Boyfriend Switch": Obsession vibes
"Beyond the ↑": nice philosophical one to end on

[Rachel Hartmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

[ARC] I really enjoyed the stories and how original they are. Some stories I liked more than others but overall an enjoyable read.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique and interesting work of flash fiction and short stories. Absurdist and beautiful, these stories make the reader think and reflect inwardly about their meaning.