It is no exaggeration to say that, the master of short stories, Edogawa Rampo, is truly Japan's Edgar Allan Poe. His eccentric yet captivating narratives, infused with the rich atmosphere of Japanese culture, create stories so irresistible that I can’t help but crave more.
Although, to modern readers, his early works’ depiction of women often feels outdated and antiquated, perceiving them through the lens of history makes it more acceptable.
My favorite short stories include:
"Poison Weeds" – A story about a miraculous medicinal herb that leads to unexpected consequences.
"A Brute's Love" – A newlywed woman discovers that her husband’s attention is not on her, but on someone—or something—else!?
"The Traveler with the Pasted Rag Picture" – A man encounters a passenger on a train carrying a beautiful artworks of a pasted rag picture. The lifelike figures and scene might just pull an unsuspecting viewer inside.
"Doctor Mera's Mysterious Crimes" – A tale involving a monkey that triggers a series of bizarre and deadly incidents.
短篇小說大師江戶川亂步真的可以說是日本的愛倫坡而不為過吧?他古怪迷人的敘事筆法,加上富有日式風情的故事設定,總是讓我迫不及待的翻到下一頁。雖然對於現代人來說,早期作品對於女性的描寫總是那麼不盡人意又充滿年代感,但只要把其當成搭乘時光機回到過去的一次遊覽觀光,總覺得就比較不會那麼難受了。
短篇故事中最愛的有:
〈毒草〉一株具有神奇療效的藥草所引發的故事。
〈非人之戀〉女子發現婚後丈夫的注意力並非在這位新婚身上,而是另有所愛!?
〈帶著貼畫旅行的人〉男子在列車上遇見了一位帶著貼畫旅行的乘客。畫中栩栩如生的人物與場景,可能一不小心就會把觀賞者給吸進去。
〈目羅博士不可思議的犯罪〉一則關於猿猴的故事所引發的數起奇異死亡事件。