Abinash Elanggumar’s Reviews > Dead-End Memories: Stories > Status Update

too early with yoshimoto. although, i will say i definitely got a lot out of amrita inspite of it not being as good, because it just felt so different by virtue of being this very long, indulgent sprawling narration. it was a really lovely read.

that more so than a lot of the other stories. my mind was a bit distracted from things, which is my own fault, but inspite of that i really enjoyed this story. i was rereading so many paragraphs over and over again because i was thinking about cooking ffs. but a great end to this collection of stories! overall, it was a pleasant, easy read for sure. it's still no kitchen/moonlight shadow, i wonder if i have peaked

(dead-end memories) quite possibly my favourite of the collection (although i liked house of spirits a lot too - these are the two i see myself revisiting), i feel like yoshimoto's writing really warrants more time to breathe... i just love to spend time with her characters and wallow in their emotions. the way she brings the narrator's feelings to life is her best quality, beautiful imagery, and this story showcases

(tomo-chan's happiness) an interesting one, definitely stands out.
"when she was more alone than she had ever been, Tomo-chan was safely held. By the velvety glow of the night, the touch of the wind as it drifts softly past, the blinking of stars, the voices of insects, and things like that. Somewhere deep down, Tomoy-chan knew this all along. And so she was never really alone."

("mama!") weirdly feel good story all things considered. i really liked it, it reminded me of amrita ... we watch our protagonist navigate a traumatic incident as it shapes the rest of her life. the stuff about her mother, and her dream really got to me. those conflicting feelings, uncertain memories. very good stuff.

(house of ghosts) listened to 'the body is a message of the universe' which was so perfect?? it began with this eerie atmosphere which fit the ghost story so well, crescendoed at some of the big moments ... really added to it for me ;_;. this was a really nice short story, a very sweet romance about two lonely people discovering their purpose and feelings for one another in time. the supernatural touch was also great