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少年與狗
在無盡的黑夜裡，
那些受傷、孤獨與迷茫的人依偎的──是一隻狗。
2011年秋天，距離那場導致家破人亡的大地震已過去半年。
住在仙台的和正因為震災而失去工作，母親的痴呆症也日益嚴重，
為了維持一家人的生計，他不得已開始從事犯罪工作。
有一天，和正在超商前撿到一隻瘦弱的流浪狗──多聞。
多聞既聰明又善解人意，和正很快就決定領養牠。
當和正在夜裡竊盜時，總會帶著多聞，
只要有多聞在，事情都神奇地進行得非常順利，
牠就像是守護神一般，冥冥之中帶來好運。
偏偏，人生中的好運與厄運總相伴而來。
多聞之所以與處在艱困時期的和正相遇，似乎不只是偶然。
眼神時常凝視南方的牠，彷彿在追求著什麼……
多聞不斷與不同的人相逢，見識了各種人生中的哀愁與苦痛，
牠為什麼會出現在這些人身邊？最終又要去到哪裡呢？
❋ ❋ ❋
日本暗黑小說大師馳星周，擅長描繪社會底層的灰暗暴力面貌，
以出道作《不夜城》打響文壇知名度後，7度入圍直木賞，
到澈底的轉型之作《少年與狗》，以充滿真摯情感的人狗故事，獲得直木賞殊榮。
在這個故事中，馳星周寫出社會上不同身分各自面臨的困難景況，
每個人的生活都充滿無法迴避的現實，
每個表面上的錯誤選擇可能都始於無可奈何。
六個人物，故事情節一次次翻轉，命運帶給他們難以預料的事與願違，
而從頭到尾沒有一句台詞的多聞，卻具有一股神奇力量，
僅是透過純粹眼神，便得以接住破碎的人心。
原來真正的治癒，發生在感受到被愛著的時刻。
那些受傷、孤獨與迷茫的人依偎的──是一隻狗。
2011年秋天，距離那場導致家破人亡的大地震已過去半年。
住在仙台的和正因為震災而失去工作，母親的痴呆症也日益嚴重，
為了維持一家人的生計，他不得已開始從事犯罪工作。
有一天，和正在超商前撿到一隻瘦弱的流浪狗──多聞。
多聞既聰明又善解人意，和正很快就決定領養牠。
當和正在夜裡竊盜時，總會帶著多聞，
只要有多聞在，事情都神奇地進行得非常順利，
牠就像是守護神一般，冥冥之中帶來好運。
偏偏，人生中的好運與厄運總相伴而來。
多聞之所以與處在艱困時期的和正相遇，似乎不只是偶然。
眼神時常凝視南方的牠，彷彿在追求著什麼……
多聞不斷與不同的人相逢，見識了各種人生中的哀愁與苦痛，
牠為什麼會出現在這些人身邊？最終又要去到哪裡呢？
❋ ❋ ❋
日本暗黑小說大師馳星周，擅長描繪社會底層的灰暗暴力面貌，
以出道作《不夜城》打響文壇知名度後，7度入圍直木賞，
到澈底的轉型之作《少年與狗》，以充滿真摯情感的人狗故事，獲得直木賞殊榮。
在這個故事中，馳星周寫出社會上不同身分各自面臨的困難景況，
每個人的生活都充滿無法迴避的現實，
每個表面上的錯誤選擇可能都始於無可奈何。
六個人物，故事情節一次次翻轉，命運帶給他們難以預料的事與願違，
而從頭到尾沒有一句台詞的多聞，卻具有一股神奇力量，
僅是透過純粹眼神，便得以接住破碎的人心。
原來真正的治癒，發生在感受到被愛著的時刻。
328 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2020
316 people are currently reading
9870 people want to read
About the author
Seishū Hase
42 books55 followersHase Seishu ((馳 星周) is the pseudonym of the Japanese yakuza-crime novelist Toshihito Bando (坂東 齢人). His pen name is based on the Chinese name of the director Stephen Chow (Director of Kung Fu Hustle) Chow Sing-chi(周星馳) written backward then rendered in Japanese.
Bando graduated with a BA from Yokohama City University in 1987.
A few of his novels were adapted into Asian films, such as The City of Lost Souls and Sleepless Town, in 2000 and 1998, respectively.
Some of his novels were adapted into films, such as Fuyajo or 'Sleepless Town' (1998) directed by Chi-Ngai Lee, and 'The City of Lost Souls (2000) Directed by legendary Yakuza crime filmmaker Takashi Miike.
Bando also oversaw the stories for the blockbuster sega video games Yakuza and Yakuza 2, but had no evolvement in later installments in the series.
Bando graduated with a BA from Yokohama City University in 1987.
A few of his novels were adapted into Asian films, such as The City of Lost Souls and Sleepless Town, in 2000 and 1998, respectively.
Some of his novels were adapted into films, such as Fuyajo or 'Sleepless Town' (1998) directed by Chi-Ngai Lee, and 'The City of Lost Souls (2000) Directed by legendary Yakuza crime filmmaker Takashi Miike.
Bando also oversaw the stories for the blockbuster sega video games Yakuza and Yakuza 2, but had no evolvement in later installments in the series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,080 reviews
November 20, 2022
This lovely tale takes place in Japan after an earthquake and tsunami. It’s a stark reminder that life doesn’t return to normal after a natural disaster. It begins with a dog standing outside a convenience store. His tag gives his name but no information about his owner. A young man takes him in. From there, the dog connects with several other people.
This isn’t an anthropomorphic story. The dog doesn’t speak to the reader. But it’s definitely a tale about the ability of a dog to connect with humans, even those losing touch with reality. Each person finds a different connection and learns or gets something from the dog.
The writing style is plain, yet allows the reader to easily envision the scenes. Each character is fleshed out enough to totally understand their personality.
My favorite line - “How could it be that a dog who’d lived with them for barely a month was more important to her than the husband she’d spend more than ten years of her life with?”
The ending has almost a religious or fable feel to it, depending on one’s beliefs.
My thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group for an advance copy of this book.
This isn’t an anthropomorphic story. The dog doesn’t speak to the reader. But it’s definitely a tale about the ability of a dog to connect with humans, even those losing touch with reality. Each person finds a different connection and learns or gets something from the dog.
The writing style is plain, yet allows the reader to easily envision the scenes. Each character is fleshed out enough to totally understand their personality.
My favorite line - “How could it be that a dog who’d lived with them for barely a month was more important to her than the husband she’d spend more than ten years of her life with?”
The ending has almost a religious or fable feel to it, depending on one’s beliefs.
My thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group for an advance copy of this book.
October 20, 2024
An easy read on how a dog, displaced by the disaster in Fukushima, finds new bosses while not forgetting his original mission.
A bit sweet but also clear-eyed on the uneven fates of rural, older, poorer Japan versus the glittering skyscrapers of Tokyo. The stories are sad, with petty criminals, immigrants trying to escape favelas, prostitution and loneliness in rural places. People are more often than not failures in this book.
They can’t really connect even to those closest to them, nor can they break what they themselves perceived as self-destructive tendencies. Menial jobs, illness, family relationships that are unfixable, deaths - its depressing stuff Seishū Hase gives us.
Still the book is an easy read and hits the emotions, I was genuinely moved at the end, even though the main dog character seems like a genuine angel of death and the language being quite simple.
A bit sweet but also clear-eyed on the uneven fates of rural, older, poorer Japan versus the glittering skyscrapers of Tokyo. The stories are sad, with petty criminals, immigrants trying to escape favelas, prostitution and loneliness in rural places. People are more often than not failures in this book.
They can’t really connect even to those closest to them, nor can they break what they themselves perceived as self-destructive tendencies. Menial jobs, illness, family relationships that are unfixable, deaths - its depressing stuff Seishū Hase gives us.
Still the book is an easy read and hits the emotions, I was genuinely moved at the end, even though the main dog character seems like a genuine angel of death and the language being quite simple.
November 17, 2022
I love novels translated from Japanese origin. They have a spare, straightforward writing style that speaks to me. I am also a dog lover, so really connected with the very special bond between dogs and humans portrayed in this book.
The dog in this story appeared to several different people in various locations in Japan. There had been a tsunami and earthquake which upended his early life, causing his displacement. This German shepherd /Japanese breed mix endeared himself to all with his obvious intelligence, empathy and obedience. However, all noted that his senses would always be honed in on a direction, clearly indicating that he was looking for his original owner. During the dog's journey through various temporary owners, he was loved, admired and cared for- but each person understood he was pining for someone that came before, and hoped he would find them one day. My heart was overflowing with emotion as the book came to a close. This was an extremely beautiful story, slow building... but reaching such a meaningful crescendo.
Thank you to the publisher PENGUIN GROUP Viking for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
August 4, 2022
Delante de la puerta de un konbini, un hombre se topa con un perro. Rápidamente siente una atracción muy grande hacia el animal. Hay algo extraño en los ojos del perro, parece tener un propósito. Sus gestos y su mirada resuman inteligencia. Pese a no tener la mejor de las situaciones económicas, debido al gran tsunami que asoló Japón hace algún tiempo, decide socorrer al animal. Sabe que la opción de un perro callejero es la perrera y, posiblemente, la muerte. Pronto descubrirá que Tamon, como así indica que se llama el collar que lleva en su cuello, está buscando algo.
Lo primero que debo decir es que me esperaba algo totalmente diferente cuando empecé a leer “El chico y el perro”, en cuanto a la trama y como se desarrolla, y eso me chocó bastante de entrada. A ratos me gustó, y a ratos no tanto, pero es un punto que le da un toque diferente, eso seguro. No quiero decir mucho de como gira la trama, para respetar la propia sinopsis, y para no arrebatar la sorpresa, pero imagino que es algo que para según que lector pueda ser un detalle positivo y para otros, les quitará intensidad. Para mí sigo sin tenerlo claro.
Pese a la sorpresa de la que hablo, el libro aporta lo que promete, grandes dosis de ternura. Claramente es un canto a la figura del perro, la gente que se relaciona con Tamon lo trata con cariño, incluso se diviniza la figura de este como si fuera un dios protector, que salvaguarda a su amigo humano de todo lo malo. Un ser que protege y da suerte. Esto es algo que a veces he comprado y a veces no. Pero ya me explayaré algo mejor cuando hable de la parte mala.
Es, ciertamente, una historia bonita, de estas que se encuentran mucho dentro de la literatura contemporánea japonesa. Historias sencillas, dulces, con una gran carga emotiva, pero que se disfrutan como si fueran un paseo por un sitio agradable al que siempre vuelves. Es imposible no dejarse tocar la fibra por Tamon, sobre todo para los que compartimos nuestras vida con otros animales y no concebimos vivir de otra manera.
Sin embargo, ha habido cositas que me han restado y han perjudicado mi impresión final de la obra. Para empezar, está bien considerar a los perros como un ser que protege, es algo bonito relacionarnos con ellos expresando esa gran estima, pero cuando da la sensación de que el objetivo de su existencia es solo proteger al ser humano, ya el discurso es menos bonito. Deja de serlo de hecho. Tampoco entiendo mucho que un libro con claras intenciones de alabar la relación de amor entre personas y perros, añada personajes "agradables" que se dedican a cazar a otros animales como afición. Nuevamente el discurso se diluye. Especismo sin más.
El final tampoco me ha ayudado a ver lo negativo de otra manera, si no más bien a profundizarlo.
Aún así, no creo que sea un mal libro, es tierno y bonito, y hay una intención positiva de fondo, pero quizás me ha faltado ese poquito de algo más para que me terminara de enamorar. Eso, sumado a las cositas negativas, que no son muchas ni constantes, aunque estén ahí, ha dejado la historia en un "está bien, pero no mata". Me sorprende mucho que el autor escribiera hasta este momento sobre la yakuza y de pronto hiciera este libro. A ver si publican más cositas de él.
Lo primero que debo decir es que me esperaba algo totalmente diferente cuando empecé a leer “El chico y el perro”, en cuanto a la trama y como se desarrolla, y eso me chocó bastante de entrada. A ratos me gustó, y a ratos no tanto, pero es un punto que le da un toque diferente, eso seguro. No quiero decir mucho de como gira la trama, para respetar la propia sinopsis, y para no arrebatar la sorpresa, pero imagino que es algo que para según que lector pueda ser un detalle positivo y para otros, les quitará intensidad. Para mí sigo sin tenerlo claro.
Pese a la sorpresa de la que hablo, el libro aporta lo que promete, grandes dosis de ternura. Claramente es un canto a la figura del perro, la gente que se relaciona con Tamon lo trata con cariño, incluso se diviniza la figura de este como si fuera un dios protector, que salvaguarda a su amigo humano de todo lo malo. Un ser que protege y da suerte. Esto es algo que a veces he comprado y a veces no. Pero ya me explayaré algo mejor cuando hable de la parte mala.
Es, ciertamente, una historia bonita, de estas que se encuentran mucho dentro de la literatura contemporánea japonesa. Historias sencillas, dulces, con una gran carga emotiva, pero que se disfrutan como si fueran un paseo por un sitio agradable al que siempre vuelves. Es imposible no dejarse tocar la fibra por Tamon, sobre todo para los que compartimos nuestras vida con otros animales y no concebimos vivir de otra manera.
Sin embargo, ha habido cositas que me han restado y han perjudicado mi impresión final de la obra. Para empezar, está bien considerar a los perros como un ser que protege, es algo bonito relacionarnos con ellos expresando esa gran estima, pero cuando da la sensación de que el objetivo de su existencia es solo proteger al ser humano, ya el discurso es menos bonito. Deja de serlo de hecho. Tampoco entiendo mucho que un libro con claras intenciones de alabar la relación de amor entre personas y perros, añada personajes "agradables" que se dedican a cazar a otros animales como afición. Nuevamente el discurso se diluye. Especismo sin más.
El final tampoco me ha ayudado a ver lo negativo de otra manera, si no más bien a profundizarlo.
Aún así, no creo que sea un mal libro, es tierno y bonito, y hay una intención positiva de fondo, pero quizás me ha faltado ese poquito de algo más para que me terminara de enamorar. Eso, sumado a las cositas negativas, que no son muchas ni constantes, aunque estén ahí, ha dejado la historia en un "está bien, pero no mata". Me sorprende mucho que el autor escribiera hasta este momento sobre la yakuza y de pronto hiciera este libro. A ver si publican más cositas de él.
September 1, 2024
Роман, събрал в себе си, историите на няколко души, всеки носещ на плещите си тежестта от последствията на своите житейски избори.
Единственото общо между тези хора е Тамон. Кучето, което шест месеца след опустошителното земетресение в Япония от 2011 година, последвано от цунами и аварията в атомната електроцентрала във Фукушима, тръгва на дълъг път.
Тамон търси нещо. Търси някого. Но по пътя среща нашите персонажи и решава да остане за кратко при тях.
Романът разглежда човешките слабости. Показва ни последствията от земетресението. Какво е усещането да развиеш фобия от водата и как оцеляваш психически, когато живееш на островна държава.
На какво си готов, когато имаш нужда от пари, а безработицата те пристиска в ъгъла. Когато имаш семейство, което разчита на теб. Какво е да бъдеш роден върху купчина боклук и да израснеш в гето, борейки се за оцеляването си всеки божи ден. Как успяваш да понесеш травмата от решението да продадеш тялото си в името на любовта към човек, който те използва. Кога бракът се превръща в тегоба и нужно ли е на всяка цена да присъстваме в него.
Всички сме сами в смъртта си, но кой ще бъде онзи, който ще бди над нас, когато си отиваме. Най-важният въпрос, който Хасе ни задава. Ще има ли някой, който да ни погали, да ни каже две, три думи на сбогуване.
Трудно се разказва за книги, побрали толкова смърт в себе си. След всеки разказ, сърцето ми сякаш прескачаше няколко удара. След това свито и смирено продължаваше своя път през страниците. Авторът умело оставяше надежда в края на своите последни изречения, но бързо след това си я прибираше. Сякаш, за да ни покаже, че има неща, от които нито можеш да се скриеш, нито можеш да избягаш.
Понякога е твърде късно за сълзи и разкаяния. Понякога решението е взето и ти си живял твърде дълго с последствията от него без да имаш смелостта да направиш някаква промяна. А често дори си изградил цялото си битие върху плаващите пясъци на грешките. И тези грешки те застигат. И си прибират дължимото.
Единственото общо между тези хора е Тамон. Кучето, което шест месеца след опустошителното земетресение в Япония от 2011 година, последвано от цунами и аварията в атомната електроцентрала във Фукушима, тръгва на дълъг път.
Тамон търси нещо. Търси някого. Но по пътя среща нашите персонажи и решава да остане за кратко при тях.
Романът разглежда човешките слабости. Показва ни последствията от земетресението. Какво е усещането да развиеш фобия от водата и как оцеляваш психически, когато живееш на островна държава.
На какво си готов, когато имаш нужда от пари, а безработицата те пристиска в ъгъла. Когато имаш семейство, което разчита на теб. Какво е да бъдеш роден върху купчина боклук и да израснеш в гето, борейки се за оцеляването си всеки божи ден. Как успяваш да понесеш травмата от решението да продадеш тялото си в името на любовта към човек, който те използва. Кога бракът се превръща в тегоба и нужно ли е на всяка цена да присъстваме в него.
Всички сме сами в смъртта си, но кой ще бъде онзи, който ще бди над нас, когато си отиваме. Най-важният въпрос, който Хасе ни задава. Ще има ли някой, който да ни погали, да ни каже две, три думи на сбогуване.
Трудно се разказва за книги, побрали толкова смърт в себе си. След всеки разказ, сърцето ми сякаш прескачаше няколко удара. След това свито и смирено продължаваше своя път през страниците. Авторът умело оставяше надежда в края на своите последни изречения, но бързо след това си я прибираше. Сякаш, за да ни покаже, че има неща, от които нито можеш да се скриеш, нито можеш да избягаш.
Понякога е твърде късно за сълзи и разкаяния. Понякога решението е взето и ти си живял твърде дълго с последствията от него без да имаш смелостта да направиш някаква промяна. А често дори си изградил цялото си битие върху плаващите пясъци на грешките. И тези грешки те застигат. И си прибират дължимото.
July 6, 2022
2,5
Voy a tener una opinion un poco diferente sobre este libro. Es una novela que ha casi todo el mundo gusta, y lo ve como un libro super bonito.
La premisa de la novela no esta mal, es una historia de un perro que tras sufrir un terremoto en el lugar donde vivía con su dueño, se queda solo y a partir de ahí va a ir conociendo a diferentes personas, las cuales lo van a cuidar y va existir una conexión con ellos.
¿Que me ha pasado? me ha parecido un libro muy plano, muy repetitivo y para nada me ha parecido un libro muy bonito, el perro va pasando de persona en persona como si fuera una pelota, los capítulos terminan todos de la misma manera, ( una desgracia al dueño, y el perro se vuelve a quedar solo), y empiezan igual ( el pobre perro después de estar no se cuanto tiempo solo, aparece medio muerto y en el veterinario)...
La forma de escribir, me ha parecido muy sencilla y muy repetitiva, no me ha parecido un libro que no engancha que no se lee bien ni rápido incluso aunque sea corto... creo que para los amantes de los animales hasta se les puede hacer difícil.
Un final predecible, pero al menos lógico, no podía acabar de otra manera, asique eso me ha gustado.
Voy a tener una opinion un poco diferente sobre este libro. Es una novela que ha casi todo el mundo gusta, y lo ve como un libro super bonito.
La premisa de la novela no esta mal, es una historia de un perro que tras sufrir un terremoto en el lugar donde vivía con su dueño, se queda solo y a partir de ahí va a ir conociendo a diferentes personas, las cuales lo van a cuidar y va existir una conexión con ellos.
¿Que me ha pasado? me ha parecido un libro muy plano, muy repetitivo y para nada me ha parecido un libro muy bonito, el perro va pasando de persona en persona como si fuera una pelota, los capítulos terminan todos de la misma manera, ( una desgracia al dueño, y el perro se vuelve a quedar solo), y empiezan igual ( el pobre perro después de estar no se cuanto tiempo solo, aparece medio muerto y en el veterinario)...
La forma de escribir, me ha parecido muy sencilla y muy repetitiva, no me ha parecido un libro que no engancha que no se lee bien ni rápido incluso aunque sea corto... creo que para los amantes de los animales hasta se les puede hacer difícil.
Un final predecible, pero al menos lógico, no podía acabar de otra manera, asique eso me ha gustado.
February 7, 2023
This book really struck an unexpected charm to me with its riveting crafted characters and sentimental setting. Having both lovable and heart-rending premise, the narrative brought me to 6 episodic narratives of Tamon upon living as stray after losing his owner due to a devastating earthquake and tsunami tragedies. From a delivery guy, a thief, a couple living near the mountain, a prostitute and an old hunter man, I followed Tamon’s splendid five-year journey living with these temporary owners until he could find the boy who was known to be his beloved first owner.
Love the plot execution and characterization even though their bond exploration and coincidences were quite similar; perhaps its Tamon fate to meet a kind human throughout his journey or maybe God’s way in sending this guardian like ‘deity’ dog (as per his name) to these human at the right time when they were all suffered with hardship, dealing with grief and drowning in solitude.
I love Kazumasa the delivery guy’s perspective the most as his story revolved just months after the tragedies. An intense plot for Miguel the thief while unexpectedly thrilled mystery for Miwa. Both the couple and the old hunter man stories were heartwarmingly narrated but Yaichi part gets me grieving in sorrow due to his cancer-related character (I have a personal reason to this). I shed my tears at chapter 6 when Tamon met Hikaru; his part answered all the reasons with bit of twist and I like how that last subchapter could get me back to chapter 1 again.
A well-written for the theme (totally deserved that Naoki Prize); both gripping and emotionally-driven yet it portrayed an uplifting relation in between a dog and a human— esp on empathy and humanity while exploring a deep perspective on grief and loneliness as well as the aftermath impact of a tragedy. 4.5 stars to this!
Thank you Times Reads for sending me a copy to review!
Love the plot execution and characterization even though their bond exploration and coincidences were quite similar; perhaps its Tamon fate to meet a kind human throughout his journey or maybe God’s way in sending this guardian like ‘deity’ dog (as per his name) to these human at the right time when they were all suffered with hardship, dealing with grief and drowning in solitude.
I love Kazumasa the delivery guy’s perspective the most as his story revolved just months after the tragedies. An intense plot for Miguel the thief while unexpectedly thrilled mystery for Miwa. Both the couple and the old hunter man stories were heartwarmingly narrated but Yaichi part gets me grieving in sorrow due to his cancer-related character (I have a personal reason to this). I shed my tears at chapter 6 when Tamon met Hikaru; his part answered all the reasons with bit of twist and I like how that last subchapter could get me back to chapter 1 again.
A well-written for the theme (totally deserved that Naoki Prize); both gripping and emotionally-driven yet it portrayed an uplifting relation in between a dog and a human— esp on empathy and humanity while exploring a deep perspective on grief and loneliness as well as the aftermath impact of a tragedy. 4.5 stars to this!
Thank you Times Reads for sending me a copy to review!
May 19, 2023
I just finished reading this book. I cried all the way through the few last chapters. Really couldn't hold back my tears. The story really hit me deeply. Will write the review soon.
March 31, 2023
This book had me bawling my eyes out to a point that my heart just... ACHES. It got me getting my cats and hugging them as I cry my heart out and them looking at me in confusion :')
A wonderfully written story on loneliness, aftereffects of natural disasters and most of all, of the loyalties of animals and how essential they are to mankind.
Before being a cat mom, I never really understood the depth of the relationship between an animal and humans. Sure, I was traumatized by my first pet experience - which had left me sobbing for months when my pet tortoise grew too big and had to be released - and after I tried no to be attached to animals especially. Whilst there were moments of being nice to stray cats, I never really understood that special bond that my friends and family always talked about. And now, when I have my own cats, honestly, this story HITS A LOT HARDER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD .
Dogs especially are known as animals who are loyal and the story took it to the next level. I was honestly sobbing, especially at the last story . The book was divided into 6 short-interconected-stories, where the main character is the dog and how he had gone through the lives of various people- mostly with different backgrounds and circumstances - in which the dog had played an integral part of making their lives at the end better.
The overall theme of the book centres around Loneliness and how Desperation and Poverty had led to humans making some of the worst decisions of their lives. The stories are not only heartwrenching, but they tug a string at the deepest parts of our heart - where the loneliness resides - in which we can emphatize with most of what had happened to the people in the stories. What I loved is that the author had brought forward characters that are mostly deemed as menaces in society, troublemakers and people that has no hope in life. These people plays an integral part of our society that shows how bad environment and circumstances had led them to lead their lives as such. Not all of the characters are likeable, but they all share one thing in common - in which - at the end, they were all lonely souls who needed a companion to accompany them.
The author had also highlighted the devastation of natural disasters and the impacts from the tsunami that had hit Japan a few years ago. Due to the geographical structure of Japan itself, it is not a new known fact that the occurrence of earthquakes had been often to the country - but we don't always see how it had not only impacted the economy , but also the lives of the people that had lost their homes, lost their families and ultimately losing themselves as well. The stories of pet animals are not often highlighted in novels and I applaud the author for bringing forward the theme into the story. It showed how at the end, humans and animals and beings of kinds has a bond that interconnects us together, sometimes in ways that we can never imagine.
This is a book that had made me just sobbed- eventho I was sure I wouldn't cry for this one. The simple and straightforward writing but with a nuance that will make you reflect of the things in life, makes it a story that should be read by everyone. Highly recommended!
Personal Ratings : 4.5🌟
Biggest thank you to Times Reads for this copy!
"You're okay. I with you always. Don't worry.
A wonderfully written story on loneliness, aftereffects of natural disasters and most of all, of the loyalties of animals and how essential they are to mankind.
Before being a cat mom, I never really understood the depth of the relationship between an animal and humans. Sure, I was traumatized by my first pet experience - which had left me sobbing for months when my pet tortoise grew too big and had to be released - and after I tried no to be attached to animals especially. Whilst there were moments of being nice to stray cats, I never really understood that special bond that my friends and family always talked about. And now, when I have my own cats, honestly, this story HITS A LOT HARDER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD .
Dogs especially are known as animals who are loyal and the story took it to the next level. I was honestly sobbing, especially at the last story . The book was divided into 6 short-interconected-stories, where the main character is the dog and how he had gone through the lives of various people- mostly with different backgrounds and circumstances - in which the dog had played an integral part of making their lives at the end better.
The overall theme of the book centres around Loneliness and how Desperation and Poverty had led to humans making some of the worst decisions of their lives. The stories are not only heartwrenching, but they tug a string at the deepest parts of our heart - where the loneliness resides - in which we can emphatize with most of what had happened to the people in the stories. What I loved is that the author had brought forward characters that are mostly deemed as menaces in society, troublemakers and people that has no hope in life. These people plays an integral part of our society that shows how bad environment and circumstances had led them to lead their lives as such. Not all of the characters are likeable, but they all share one thing in common - in which - at the end, they were all lonely souls who needed a companion to accompany them.
The author had also highlighted the devastation of natural disasters and the impacts from the tsunami that had hit Japan a few years ago. Due to the geographical structure of Japan itself, it is not a new known fact that the occurrence of earthquakes had been often to the country - but we don't always see how it had not only impacted the economy , but also the lives of the people that had lost their homes, lost their families and ultimately losing themselves as well. The stories of pet animals are not often highlighted in novels and I applaud the author for bringing forward the theme into the story. It showed how at the end, humans and animals and beings of kinds has a bond that interconnects us together, sometimes in ways that we can never imagine.
This is a book that had made me just sobbed- eventho I was sure I wouldn't cry for this one. The simple and straightforward writing but with a nuance that will make you reflect of the things in life, makes it a story that should be read by everyone. Highly recommended!
Personal Ratings : 4.5🌟
Biggest thank you to Times Reads for this copy!
March 13, 2023
Un poquito repetitiva en algunas estructuras, pero aun así me ha parecido una historia preciosa, original y con una posibilidad de lectura en muchos niveles. A nivel superficial es una historia preciosa sobre la vinculación entre las personas y los perros; a niveles más profundos habla de soledad, de abandono, de muerte... Es bonita, es triste y es tierna.
November 27, 2024
2.5 rounded up for Tamon, the goodest boi.
In The Boy and the Dog, an unusually perceptive stray makes his transient home in the lives of various troublemakers and lost spirits in his quest to be reunited with his true soulmate, keeping them company at the 11th hour of their lonely lives.
I’m well-acquainted with the simplistic style of most contemporary Japanese fiction and while it’s not my cup of tea, it’s enjoyable when the craving hits.
This book takes after some local favorites, including She and Her Cat , and the much-loved Before the Coffee Gets Cold, in how it’s a compound of interconnected short-stories, all written with the exact same formula. I wasn’t thrilled, but I came into this expecting that structural repetitiveness. The deeper disappointment lies elsewhere.
I’m the kind of person who will literally buy any book with a dog on the cover, plot and synopsis be damned, so it pains me to say this but The Boy and the Dog waltzed right past “simplistic” and straight to “juvenile”. I enjoy feel-good gooey stories. I’m a sap. It doesn’t take much (anymore) to get the waterworks going. But it has to be, well, good. And while this book wasn’t terrible, it was diluted with the swill of repetition. The writing style, choppy sentences, and oftentimes awkward expressions strip the gravitas from the drama. I can ascribe the latter to bad translation but I can only give so many concessions. Even narratives meant to be heartwarming require a steady undercurrent of emotional turmoil, as the point is to chip at 'em lil blocks of ice in our chest cavities. I was hopeful with the first two stories, but the entire thing just plunged from there. I will say that silly sappy old me felt uncomfortably achy after the last few chapters. Just wish this were better, overall.
(Totally irrelevant but I even forgave that completely serious, unironic use of “Adios, amigo”, not once but twice, because ok we have a Japanese author writing about a Latino-coded character—whose ethnicity was never disclosed until that giveaway of a phrase btw, and here I was 99% sure that he was Filipino lol—in Japanese before it was translated to English. And that’s one example among a few. Someone fumbled the ball. Was it the editor? The translator? The author himself? Who knows.)
~
4/27/24
This was an airport bookstore buy that was on sale nearly two months ago. Holding myself accountable and finally getting to it! Need a palate cleanser after a pretty heavy litfic read
In The Boy and the Dog, an unusually perceptive stray makes his transient home in the lives of various troublemakers and lost spirits in his quest to be reunited with his true soulmate, keeping them company at the 11th hour of their lonely lives.
I’m well-acquainted with the simplistic style of most contemporary Japanese fiction and while it’s not my cup of tea, it’s enjoyable when the craving hits.
This book takes after some local favorites, including She and Her Cat , and the much-loved Before the Coffee Gets Cold, in how it’s a compound of interconnected short-stories, all written with the exact same formula. I wasn’t thrilled, but I came into this expecting that structural repetitiveness. The deeper disappointment lies elsewhere.
I’m the kind of person who will literally buy any book with a dog on the cover, plot and synopsis be damned, so it pains me to say this but The Boy and the Dog waltzed right past “simplistic” and straight to “juvenile”. I enjoy feel-good gooey stories. I’m a sap. It doesn’t take much (anymore) to get the waterworks going. But it has to be, well, good. And while this book wasn’t terrible, it was diluted with the swill of repetition. The writing style, choppy sentences, and oftentimes awkward expressions strip the gravitas from the drama. I can ascribe the latter to bad translation but I can only give so many concessions. Even narratives meant to be heartwarming require a steady undercurrent of emotional turmoil, as the point is to chip at 'em lil blocks of ice in our chest cavities. I was hopeful with the first two stories, but the entire thing just plunged from there. I will say that silly sappy old me felt uncomfortably achy after the last few chapters. Just wish this were better, overall.
(Totally irrelevant but I even forgave that completely serious, unironic use of “Adios, amigo”, not once but twice, because ok we have a Japanese author writing about a Latino-coded character—whose ethnicity was never disclosed until that giveaway of a phrase btw, and here I was 99% sure that he was Filipino lol—in Japanese before it was translated to English. And that’s one example among a few. Someone fumbled the ball. Was it the editor? The translator? The author himself? Who knows.)
~
4/27/24
This was an airport bookstore buy that was on sale nearly two months ago. Holding myself accountable and finally getting to it! Need a palate cleanser after a pretty heavy litfic read
September 12, 2022
La historia me hizo sentir con una de las narraciones más sencillas que he leído. Me suele pasar con la literatura asiática, escenas costumbristas con muchos sentimientos agarrados; como contenidos para que no se se desborden.
Cuando un animal es protagonista, yo ya disfruto de la historia. Pero si encima, el autor tiene la delicadeza suficiente como para crear esas relaciones entre animal y personas, hace que el libro tenga un plus.
Os lo recomiendo si buscáis algo sencillo con lo que emocionaros.
Cuando un animal es protagonista, yo ya disfruto de la historia. Pero si encima, el autor tiene la delicadeza suficiente como para crear esas relaciones entre animal y personas, hace que el libro tenga un plus.
Os lo recomiendo si buscáis algo sencillo con lo que emocionaros.
June 5, 2023
I cried at the end... listen, you'd have to be heartless, or have never experienced the loss of a pet, to not be moved to tears in the final pages of this book.
April 13, 2025
আমার কাছে এই বইটি বেশ ভালো লেগেছে। পুরোটা জুড়ে কুকুরটির যাত্রাপথ অনুসরণ করতে করতে বেশ কিছু ঘটনার সাক্ষী হতে ভালোই লেগেছে ।বইয়ের অনুবাদও অনেক ভালো ছিলো । এখন আর বই নিয়ে বিস্তারিত লেখার মতো ইচ্ছা আসেনা, এজন্য দুলাইনে জোর করে লেখা ।
April 18, 2022
Das Buch ist sicher etwas für Fans von asiatischen Geschichten oder Personen, die Geschichten mit Hunde lieben. Der Hund spiegelt die Wünsche der Menschen wieder und zieht immer weiter, bis er seiner wahren Berufung begegnet. Er zieht von Mensch zu Mensch und wie eine Serie von Episoden lernt der Leser verschiedene menschliche Schicksale kennen. Auch wenn die Geschichten größtenteils vorhersehbar waren und gezielt auf die Tränendrüse drücken, kann ich nachvollziehen, warum das Buch bei so vielen in Japan beliebt war. Es geht schließlich um Hoffnung, Familie und Liebe. Wie ein kleines Märchenbuch habe ich durch das Buch gelesen und war am Ende gerührt.
** Dieses Buch wurde mir über NetGalley als E-Book zur Verfügung gestellt **
** Dieses Buch wurde mir über NetGalley als E-Book zur Verfügung gestellt **
March 15, 2023
An easy-to-read, often moving tale about a lost dog trying to find a certain person after a tsunami. During the five year (?) span of the novel, the dog finds many different people who take him in, and in each instance the dog brings them comfort, reminds them of the past or helps them appreciate the little things in life.
While a lovely concept, the reason this story didn't land better with me was that there was quite a lot of repetition. The dog is often greeted in the same manner by all these people, and each segment of the tale ends with the death of the person who took the dog in (except, perhaps, the prostitute). These deaths were often quite unnecessary and I first thought that the dog was a sort of grim reaper figure, brought to these people to bring them comfort before they died. But that doesn't seem to be the case, and instead it kind of comes across that the dog is slightly cursed as everyone keeps meeting such nasty ends after taking him in!
It's an interesting read, nicely-written and sweet. But I think the sheer implausibility of a lot of what happens and the repetition does detract from the quality of the story, which is a shame.
While a lovely concept, the reason this story didn't land better with me was that there was quite a lot of repetition. The dog is often greeted in the same manner by all these people, and each segment of the tale ends with the death of the person who took the dog in (except, perhaps, the prostitute). These deaths were often quite unnecessary and I first thought that the dog was a sort of grim reaper figure, brought to these people to bring them comfort before they died. But that doesn't seem to be the case, and instead it kind of comes across that the dog is slightly cursed as everyone keeps meeting such nasty ends after taking him in!
It's an interesting read, nicely-written and sweet. But I think the sheer implausibility of a lot of what happens and the repetition does detract from the quality of the story, which is a shame.
January 16, 2023
Might come up with a review after i am done crying! 😭😭😭
October 31, 2024
Изключително топла и човешка история за любовта на кучето към човек, като цяло, разказана по най-красивия японски начин. Трябва ли да добавя още нещо?
P. S. А уж нямаше да ме разплачи и тази история, така си мислех...😭♥️♥️♥️
P. S. А уж нямаше да ме разплачи и тази история, така си мислех...😭♥️♥️♥️
September 18, 2025
fuck this im crying boarding a bloody plane i do t know how to rate this as its a fuxking heartbreaking story about a DOG HOW DO U EXPECT ME TO COPE AFTER THIS
December 4, 2022
Ha sido una lectura relajada y algo emotiva, el capítulo que da nombre al libro es simplemente lindo y conmovedor.
La lectura es muy ágil, relajada y no es un libro denso, no llega a 300 páginas.
¿Es un libro que recomendaría? Si os gusta las películas de provezas y viajes imposibles por un perro si. Son estas historias las que calientan el corazón y vuelves a tener algo se fe en la humanidad. 🥰
La lectura es muy ágil, relajada y no es un libro denso, no llega a 300 páginas.
¿Es un libro que recomendaría? Si os gusta las películas de provezas y viajes imposibles por un perro si. Son estas historias las que calientan el corazón y vuelves a tener algo se fe en la humanidad. 🥰
December 4, 2022
There are six chapters in this book. By the second chapter it was already repetitive. The same words were used to describe the dog over and over and it wasn’t done tastefully like many authors do with repetition. I thought « maybe this is a children’s book and the staff at indigo put it in the wrong section » but each character dies at the end of their chapter (another example of the repetition) so that doesn’t make sense. Anyways i was excited for this but the end left me annoyed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2022
Varias historias que conforman una historia, la de Tamon. Linda, agradable, por momentos triste y enfocada en retratar el vínculo especial que se puede formar entre un perro y su familia.
Es una novela simple, para no leer con demasiadas pretensiones, recomendada para cuando se busca algo entretenido pero conmovedor.
Es una novela simple, para no leer con demasiadas pretensiones, recomendada para cuando se busca algo entretenido pero conmovedor.
June 6, 2025
When I bought this book, I thought it was going to be a feel good and comfy read about the bond humans have with dogs. Boy was I wrong. This book moved me to tears more than once. While the human-dog relationship was certainly a core theme, Seishu Hase used it to explore the lonely lives of people at the edges of society. It deals with topics like dementia, poverty, prostitution, debts, and cancer.
The writing is rather dry and airy, which I disliked at first. But the more I read the more I felt that this tone was necessary to give the heavy topics enough breathing room. It made the book easy to read, which helped. This book exposed me to the perspectives of people that I wouldn’t be likely to meet in my day to day life, and it will stay with me for a long time because of that.
The writing is rather dry and airy, which I disliked at first. But the more I read the more I felt that this tone was necessary to give the heavy topics enough breathing room. It made the book easy to read, which helped. This book exposed me to the perspectives of people that I wouldn’t be likely to meet in my day to day life, and it will stay with me for a long time because of that.
August 11, 2025
O lectură ușoară și plăcută despre un câine care schimbă viețile tuturor celor pe care îi întâlnește.
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December 8, 2024Сейшу Хасе - "Момчето и кучето", изд. "Пепърмил Букс" 2024, прев. Гергана Дечева
Има книги, които те викат.
Има книги, които решаваш, че искаш да прочетеш почти само заради заглавието и няколко думи от анотацията. И още когато си видял само корицата, вече знаеш, че просто трябва да прочетеш тази книга, че това няма да са просто поредните прелистени страници. А че с тази книга ще се разберете, ще влезеш в нея, както се влиза в дом. И че тя ще бъде от онези книги, които имат в себе си не просто история за разказване, дори не просто специфична атмосфера, а... душа.
В последно време се появиха доста книги - предимно японски, но не само, - които съдържат по няколко истории с различни герои, на различна възраст и от различни слоеве на обществото, но с една централна, свързващо точка - място, събитие, човек. Или, както е тук, куче.
Може би заглавието на тази книга наистина извиква вай-напред представата за дете и неговото куче. И може би човек би си казал, че от това може да излезе една мила, но кратка история, която едва ли има значение за друг освен за преките участници в нея.
И би сгрешил.
Защото "Момчето и кучето" е много повече от това. Тя е историята на едно пътуване, продължило с години. Историята на едно смело малко куче, Тамон, което изминава дълъг път, търсейки своя човек - своето момче. Но неговата история се преплита с други - историите и съдбите на седем души, които Тамон среща по пътя си и с които остава за кратко. Всяка от тези истории е наситена с емоции - надежда, страх, любов; във всяка от тях има болка, загуба, тъга и въпреки това винаги, винаги - един светъл лъч: Тамон , който се явява изненадващо и остава за кратко. Но все пак за достатъчно дълго, за да бъде последната светлина и последното топло и хубаво нещо в нечий живот. И после продължава пътя си, за да бъде утешително присъствие за още някого.
Да, знам какво написах. И признавам, че ми трябваше време да осъзная кога се появява Тамон в нечий живот и какво става в края на всяка история. Беше ми нужно време да приема, че историите следват определен модел. Но разбирайки го най-сетне /може би след третата история/, вече чаках края на следващите истории със страх. И не спирах да се питам защо Тамон гледа все в една и съща посока, какво или кого търси или дали най-сетне ще го намери.
Когато стигнах до последната история...
Не, малко избързвам.
Тази книга ме убеди, че за прочитането на всяка история си има момент. Започнах я преди два дни, на шести декември, и така ме увлече, че не исках да я оставя. А имах преводи, по които да работя, срокове, които да спазвам, и други - мислех си - неотложни неща.
Случи се така, че вчера и през половината от днешния ден не можах да работя. И реших да посветя това време на книгата.
И днес дочетох последната история, едноименната "Момчето и кучето". Историята, която ме беше страх да довърша.
Направих го.
И затворих книгата със сълзи на очи.
Не стана точно това, от което се опасявах. Но една вярна, добра, благородна душа стигна до края на своя път. Там, където искаше да бъде. Макар и само духом. И остана завинаги в едно детско сърце.
А книгата ще остане в моето. Завинаги.
Завинаги. Завинаги.
Има книги, които те викат.
Има книги, които решаваш, че искаш да прочетеш почти само заради заглавието и няколко думи от анотацията. И още когато си видял само корицата, вече знаеш, че просто трябва да прочетеш тази книга, че това няма да са просто поредните прелистени страници. А че с тази книга ще се разберете, ще влезеш в нея, както се влиза в дом. И че тя ще бъде от онези книги, които имат в себе си не просто история за разказване, дори не просто специфична атмосфера, а... душа.
В последно време се появиха доста книги - предимно японски, но не само, - които съдържат по няколко истории с различни герои, на различна възраст и от различни слоеве на обществото, но с една централна, свързващо точка - място, събитие, човек. Или, както е тук, куче.
Може би заглавието на тази книга наистина извиква вай-напред представата за дете и неговото куче. И може би човек би си казал, че от това може да излезе една мила, но кратка история, която едва ли има значение за друг освен за преките участници в нея.
И би сгрешил.
Защото "Момчето и кучето" е много повече от това. Тя е историята на едно пътуване, продължило с години. Историята на едно смело малко куче, Тамон, което изминава дълъг път, търсейки своя човек - своето момче. Но неговата история се преплита с други - историите и съдбите на седем души, които Тамон среща по пътя си и с които остава за кратко. Всяка от тези истории е наситена с емоции - надежда, страх, любов; във всяка от тях има болка, загуба, тъга и въпреки това винаги, винаги - един светъл лъч: Тамон , който се явява изненадващо и остава за кратко. Но все пак за достатъчно дълго, за да бъде последната светлина и последното топло и хубаво нещо в нечий живот. И после продължава пътя си, за да бъде утешително присъствие за още някого.
Да, знам какво написах. И признавам, че ми трябваше време да осъзная кога се появява Тамон в нечий живот и какво става в края на всяка история. Беше ми нужно време да приема, че историите следват определен модел. Но разбирайки го най-сетне /може би след третата история/, вече чаках края на следващите истории със страх. И не спирах да се питам защо Тамон гледа все в една и съща посока, какво или кого търси или дали най-сетне ще го намери.
Когато стигнах до последната история...
Не, малко избързвам.
Тази книга ме убеди, че за прочитането на всяка история си има момент. Започнах я преди два дни, на шести декември, и така ме увлече, че не исках да я оставя. А имах преводи, по които да работя, срокове, които да спазвам, и други - мислех си - неотложни неща.
Случи се така, че вчера и през половината от днешния ден не можах да работя. И реших да посветя това време на книгата.
И днес дочетох последната история, едноименната "Момчето и кучето". Историята, която ме беше страх да довърша.
Направих го.
И затворих книгата със сълзи на очи.
Не стана точно това, от което се опасявах. Но една вярна, добра, благородна душа стигна до края на своя път. Там, където искаше да бъде. Макар и само духом. И остана завинаги в едно детско сърце.
А книгата ще остане в моето. Завинаги.
Завинаги. Завинаги.
October 20, 2025
সেইসু হাসে রচিত জাপানিজ কনটেম্পরারি ফিকশন জনরার 'দ্য বয় এন্ড দ্য ডগ' একটি সহজপাঠ্য গল্প,গল্পটি জাপানে একটি ভূমিকম্প ,সুনামি আর নিউক্লিয়ার রিঅ্যাক্টর দূর্ঘটনার পরের সময়ের উপর ভিত্তি করে রচিত।।গল্পটি শুরু হয় কাজুমাসা নাকাগাকি নামের একজন দুর্যোগে বাস্তুচ্যুত একটি জার্মান শেফার্ড মিক্সব্রিডের কুকুরকে একটি কনভেনিয়েন্স স্টোরের বাইরে দাঁড়িয়ে থাকতে দেখে। তার ট্যাগে তার নাম (তামোন) লেখা থাকলেও মালিক সম্পর্কে কোনো তথ্য নেই। তখন কাজুমাসা নাকাগাকি তাকে নিজের কাছে নিয়ে নেয়। ঘটনাক্রমে কুকুরটি নতুন মালিকদের খুঁজে পায়, তবে তার আসল লক্ষ্য কখনও ভুলে যায় না।
'দ্য বয় এন্ড দ্য ডগ' কোনো মানবিক বৈশিষ্ট্যসম্পন্ন কুকুরের গল্প নয়। কুকুরটি পাঠকের সঙ্গে কথা বলে না। তবে এটি নিঃসন্দেহে সেই বিশেষ ক্ষমতার গল্প, যার মাধ্যমে একটি কুকুর মানুষের সঙ্গে সংযোগ স্থাপন করতে পারে, এমনকি তাদের সঙ্গেও যারা বাস্তবতা থেকে দূরে সরে যাচ্ছে। প্রতিটি চরিত্র কুকুরটির সঙ্গে ভিন্নভাবে সংযোগ খুঁজে পায় এবং এর থেকে কিছু শিখে বা লাভ করে।
এছাড়াও গল্পটি কিছুটা আবেগপূর্ণ হলেও বাস্তবতাকে স্পষ্টভাবে তুলে ধরে, বিশেষ করে গ্রামীণ, বয়স্ক ও দরিদ্র জাপানের অনিশ্চিত ভাগ্যের বিপরীতে টোকিওর ঝলমলে আকাশচুম্বী অট্টালিকাগুলোর বৈপরীত্য। গল্পগুলো দুঃখজনক—এখানে দেখা যায় ছোটখাট অপরাধী, বস্তি থেকে পালানোর চেষ্টা করা অভিবাসী, পতিতাবৃত্তি, এবং গ্রামের নিঃসঙ্গ জীবন। এই বইয়ে বেশিরভাগ মানুষই ব্যর্থ।
তারা নিজেদের সবচেয়ে কাছের মানুষদের সঙ্গেও সত্যিকারের সংযোগ স্থাপন করতে পারে না, আর তারা নিজেদের আত্মবিধ্বংসী প্রবণতাগুলো থেকেও বেরিয়ে আসতে অক্ষম। তুচ্ছ চাকরি, অসুস্থতা, সংশোধনযোগ্য নয় এমন পারিবারিক সম্পর্ক, মৃত্যু—সব মিলিয়ে এটি এক বিষণ্ণ চিত্র।
গল্পের শেষের অংশটি প্রায় ধর্মীয় বা রূপকথার মতো অনুভূতি দেয়, যা পাঠকের বিশ্বাসের উপর নির্ভর করবে।
সেইসু হাসে রচিত'দ্য বয় এন্ড দ্য ডগ' উপন্যাসটির লেখার ধরন সহজ-সরল, এখানে অনুবাদক অর্নব কবির উনার মুন্সিয়ানা দেখিয়েছেন । খুব সম্ভবত সুঅনুবাদক অর্নব কবিরের সেরা কাজ 'দ্য বয় এন্ড দ্য ডগ'।এটি পাঠককে দৃশ্যগুলো স্পষ্টভাবে কল্পনা করতে সাহায্য করে। প্রতিটি চরিত্র এতটা সুগঠিত যে তাদের ব্যক্তিত্ব সম্পূর্ণরূপে বোঝা যায়।
বই: দ্য বয় এন্ড দ্য ডগ
লেখক: সেইসু হাসে
অনুবাদক: অর্নব কবির
প্রকাশকাল: বইমেলা'২৫
প্রকাশনা: অবসর প্রকাশনা সংস্থা
মূল্য: ৪৫০ টাকা
'দ্য বয় এন্ড দ্য ডগ' কোনো মানবিক বৈশিষ্ট্যসম্পন্ন কুকুরের গল্প নয়। কুকুরটি পাঠকের সঙ্গে কথা বলে না। তবে এটি নিঃসন্দেহে সেই বিশেষ ক্ষমতার গল্প, যার মাধ্যমে একটি কুকুর মানুষের সঙ্গে সংযোগ স্থাপন করতে পারে, এমনকি তাদের সঙ্গেও যারা বাস্তবতা থেকে দূরে সরে যাচ্ছে। প্রতিটি চরিত্র কুকুরটির সঙ্গে ভিন্নভাবে সংযোগ খুঁজে পায় এবং এর থেকে কিছু শিখে বা লাভ করে।
এছাড়াও গল্পটি কিছুটা আবেগপূর্ণ হলেও বাস্তবতাকে স্পষ্টভাবে তুলে ধরে, বিশেষ করে গ্রামীণ, বয়স্ক ও দরিদ্র জাপানের অনিশ্চিত ভাগ্যের বিপরীতে টোকিওর ঝলমলে আকাশচুম্বী অট্টালিকাগুলোর বৈপরীত্য। গল্পগুলো দুঃখজনক—এখানে দেখা যায় ছোটখাট অপরাধী, বস্তি থেকে পালানোর চেষ্টা করা অভিবাসী, পতিতাবৃত্তি, এবং গ্রামের নিঃসঙ্গ জীবন। এই বইয়ে বেশিরভাগ মানুষই ব্যর্থ।
তারা নিজেদের সবচেয়ে কাছের মানুষদের সঙ্গেও সত্যিকারের সংযোগ স্থাপন করতে পারে না, আর তারা নিজেদের আত্মবিধ্বংসী প্রবণতাগুলো থেকেও বেরিয়ে আসতে অক্ষম। তুচ্ছ চাকরি, অসুস্থতা, সংশোধনযোগ্য নয় এমন পারিবারিক সম্পর্ক, মৃত্যু—সব মিলিয়ে এটি এক বিষণ্ণ চিত্র।
গল্পের শেষের অংশটি প্রায় ধর্মীয় বা রূপকথার মতো অনুভূতি দেয়, যা পাঠকের বিশ্বাসের উপর নির্ভর করবে।
সেইসু হাসে রচিত'দ্য বয় এন্ড দ্য ডগ' উপন্যাসটির লেখার ধরন সহজ-সরল, এখানে অনুবাদক অর্নব কবির উনার মুন্সিয়ানা দেখিয়েছেন । খুব সম্ভবত সুঅনুবাদক অর্নব কবিরের সেরা কাজ 'দ্য বয় এন্ড দ্য ডগ'।এটি পাঠককে দৃশ্যগুলো স্পষ্টভাবে কল্পনা করতে সাহায্য করে। প্রতিটি চরিত্র এতটা সুগঠিত যে তাদের ব্যক্তিত্ব সম্পূর্ণরূপে বোঝা যায়।
বই: দ্য বয় এন্ড দ্য ডগ
লেখক: সেইসু হাসে
অনুবাদক: অর্নব কবির
প্রকাশকাল: বইমেলা'২৫
প্রকাশনা: অবসর প্রকাশনা সংস্থা
মূল্য: ৪৫০ টাকা
October 19, 2023
READING VLOG
Shiloh takes on Japan!
Sweet, sentimental, and for every dog-lover out there. A stray treks across Japan post-tsunami, allowing outsiders to bond with this canine to find all the humanities within themselves.
It's an easy read, but some questions I was thinking about: What does it mean to name something? How far does that name go? And how much does it mean? Are you your name? What authority allows us to name something? What do we actually own when it comes to another living being? How do we as people stretch this authority?
The book then becomes less about the dog and more about the people that love it, good boy Tamon.
But ahhh yes, like the end of 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢:
𝘛𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴.
But, better this loneliness exist in a fictional doggo than Greta Gerwig.
Shiloh takes on Japan!
Sweet, sentimental, and for every dog-lover out there. A stray treks across Japan post-tsunami, allowing outsiders to bond with this canine to find all the humanities within themselves.
It's an easy read, but some questions I was thinking about: What does it mean to name something? How far does that name go? And how much does it mean? Are you your name? What authority allows us to name something? What do we actually own when it comes to another living being? How do we as people stretch this authority?
The book then becomes less about the dog and more about the people that love it, good boy Tamon.
But ahhh yes, like the end of 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢:
𝘛𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴.
But, better this loneliness exist in a fictional doggo than Greta Gerwig.
February 27, 2022
Er is iets met de unieke sfeer van de verhalen van Japanse schrijvers. Ik heb inmiddels verschillende boeken gelezen van verschillende Japanse auteurs en allemaal hadden ze die sfeer. Het is niet als een sprookje maar toch ook weer wel. Het zijn vaak vertellingen die gevuld zijn met wijsheden die je wilt blijven onthouden omdat ze je de waarheid vertellen die je soms vergeet door de 'drukte' van het leven.
Ook dit boek wat onlangs verscheen in de Nederlandse vertaling bracht die unieke sfeer met zich mee. Het taalgebruik is simpel maar doeltreffend. Het is geen literatuur waarvan je de alinea's meerdere malen moet lezen om tot een conclusie te komen. Nee het verhaal neemt je mee vanaf de eerste bladzijde en zo 'wandel' je door het verhaal. En het einde zorgde wel voor een traan net zoals sommige sprookjes dat kunnen doen. Het is dat ik een hele lieve kat heb waar ik heel veel van houd en ik niet geschikt woon... maar anders nam ik morgen nog een hond na het lezen van dit boek en dan hoop ik dat die net zo zal zijn als de hond Tamon van dit verhaal!
Ook dit boek wat onlangs verscheen in de Nederlandse vertaling bracht die unieke sfeer met zich mee. Het taalgebruik is simpel maar doeltreffend. Het is geen literatuur waarvan je de alinea's meerdere malen moet lezen om tot een conclusie te komen. Nee het verhaal neemt je mee vanaf de eerste bladzijde en zo 'wandel' je door het verhaal. En het einde zorgde wel voor een traan net zoals sommige sprookjes dat kunnen doen. Het is dat ik een hele lieve kat heb waar ik heel veel van houd en ik niet geschikt woon... maar anders nam ik morgen nog een hond na het lezen van dit boek en dan hoop ik dat die net zo zal zijn als de hond Tamon van dit verhaal!
November 26, 2023
Pressed into my hands by dog park friends. While I didn't love it the way they did, it wasn't the heartwarming dog story I dreaded, although it is a book for dog lovers. The dog did bring some version of happiness to the odd assortment of people who befriended him, but he was also something of an angel of death. An unusual approach!
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