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Terminal Boredom
Terminal Boredom: Stories | Izumi Suzuki
6 posts | 4 read | 1 reading | 4 to read
The first English language publication of the work of Izumi Suzuki, a legend of Japanese science fiction and a countercultural icon At turns nonchalantly hip and charmingly deranged, Suzuki's singular slant on speculative fiction would be echoed in countless later works, from Margaret Atwood and Harumi Murakami, to Black Mirror and Ex Machina. In these darkly playful and punky stories, the fantastical elements are always earthed by the universal pettiness of strife between the sexes, and the gritty reality of life on the lower rungs, whatever planet that ladder might be on.
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ClairesReads
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Pickpick

An excellent collection of science fiction short stories. Suzuki‘s stories are accessible and clear in their telling, and explore interesting ideas like the impenetrability of the minds of others, the shape and role of society, gender, and imperialism. This is science fiction as I enjoy it the best, thought-provoking, at times surprising, and unburdened by excessive detail.

BarbaraBB This sounds so good. Stacked! 5mo
ClairesReads @BarbaraBB it‘s great! 5mo
29 likes2 comments
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thereflectiveflaneur
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Pickpick

Only just discovered this wonderful collection of bold and wacky short stories! There are hints of Atwood and Murakami - but Suzuki is a bold original!

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RaeLovesToRead
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Tagging my fellow Japanese mystery enthusiasts! @Yuki_Onna @The_Penniless_Author @BarbaraBB @MicheleinPhilly @vivastory

I've been at it again. The Matsumoto and Togawa were second hand, so I grabbed them while I could. (I've also got Slow Fuse by Togawa ordered).

Terminal boredom is not a mystery, but a short story collection that I felt would work well for #pop22 (set in a non-patriarchal society).

The Aosawa Murders is #blameitonlitsy 😋

MicheleinPhilly Well done! I will not investigate any of these. *was a lie she frequently told* 2y
RaeLovesToRead @MicheleinPhilly I will be posting reviews! 😁 2y
MicheleinPhilly In 3 years when you finally read them? 😉 2y
See All 8 Comments
RaeLovesToRead @MicheleinPhilly I see you're starting to get the hang of me 😄 2y
MicheleinPhilly Because you is me. 👯‍♀️ 2y
vivastory These look great! 2y
RaeLovesToRead @vivastory Thanks! I love Japanese literature 2y
57 likes8 comments
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stretchkev
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Mehso-so

An immensely talented author, whose ideas and feminist ideals we're ahead of there time. But one also clearly conflicted by an inner turmoil. Each story has a great hook. A premise that's worth exploring. With flat, numb conclusions.

I think how this book was translated played a role in how flat and banal the endings where. I think Suski had a much more powerful voice that'd be better served with just one translator.

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mhillis
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Day three #NewYearSpecial #20in4

I had no idea what my first book of the new year would be until today—Terminal Boredom by Izumi Suzuki. Off to a good start with the first story, Women and Women.

Andrew65 Always good to start the year strongly. 3y
45 likes1 comment
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Pinta
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Pickpick

Suzuki committed suicide in 1986 at age 37, but these sci-fi stories seem super contemporary, straight from Black Mirror. Sharp takes on gender, memory, society, isolation, boredom, technology, alien life, identity, rivalry all in a punk, assertive voice. Solid translations from Japanese. “Disregarding one another, the monsters loped off, each heading its own way. Leisurely, with no particular place to go, stewards of a new anxiety.” Trans. 2021

4 likes1 stack add