I think that a lot of nuances, especially cultural ones, get lost in translation. But despite that, this is a refreshing and imaginative collection of stories that get under your skin but is still entirely relatable and understandable. I know people have been comparing this to Murata's life ceremony
but I honestly liked this collection better than that because it avoided that feeling of ableism and the otherness of neurodivergence.
I really liked the opener The Head with its almost disgusting premise but a horrifying ending that gives you chills. The Embodiment (loved this one!)takes established societal patriarchal structures and turned it into a surreal situation that exposed its flaws. Cursed Bunny is interesting and takes a more anti-capitalist stance but also shows the consequences of personal vengeance. The Frozen Finger is classic horror that leaves goosebumps on your skin. The character's experience of blindness is written so realistically that you feel like you're the one blind and stumbling in the woods and the marsh. Snare is another anti-capitalistic story but reads more like a classic fairytale but more gruesome. Goodbye, My Love is classic anti-AI. Scars started off well enough, a monster vs hero fairytale that went on for a while but ended in a fizzle. Home Sweet Home was a little confusing for me with the facts and such but the supernatural element was interesting despite the annoyingly passive main character. Also shows the flaws and selfishness in society as well as within the family and the horror as well of financial distress. Ruler of the Winds and Sands; loved this one. classic fairytale, great heroine, and the ending was extremely satisfying. Reunion was heartbreaking and actually a well-written description of trauma, the horrors of war disguised as a paranormal story but is more about humans and grief and the ghosts of our past.
Rating : 3.8/5