The Book Report #58

Episode #57

Fox Tales by Tomihiko Morimi

The Book

The original book from Japan was first published by SHINCHOSHA Publishing Co. in 2006. I don’t know why they want you to shout their name, but… Anyways. The English version went through the same publication with the help of Tuttle-Mori Angency, Inc., Tokyo.

The translation was made in 2022 by Yen Press, LLC and Winifred Bird. With the artwork by Gaku Nakagawa.

The book is 231 pages long, and the cover sleeve features an advertisement for other books written by Mr Morimi.

What Did I Think

This book is a series of four short stories set in a small area in Japan. Three of the four stories contain a supernatural mystery, but when the story ends, the mystery remains unanswered. The stories involve many people, but they are all connected through the story of a creature lurking in the background. It seems the same creature that lurks around all of the stories.

Or is it… You will never know.

However, the second story in the book makes you wonder if any of the other three stories are real or a figment of a college student’s mental breakdown imagination.

The fourth story concluded with the seemly death of whatever being was causing problems with the grandfather. But there was no idea or clue of whatever it was.

This is what got me a little. I enjoyed the book and the human connection made. But I wondered when “IT” was going to happen. The third story I sensed was just about to commence the mystery of maybe the start of fighting the demons. But then the story ends with it just beginning at the start of the third act, the reveal.

People

The author’s description of the area is very detailed, making it possible to walk through the streets knowing where you are going. I would love to visit the Mansion at the top of the hill, Hourendou, the shop of little nick-nacks, and the Saginomori Shrine.

I would also like to visit the areas where the monster had been seen.

This supernatural mystery novel is, even though dark, a fairly light read. Mr Morimi understands human interaction, brings characters together well, and understands the terror of the unknown effects on the mind. This is not a scary book but the unknown is there to question and maybe play on the mind enough to want more.

Would I Recommend

This is a strange one. I did enjoy the book even though it didn’t completely explain what was going on you are left to work it out or leave it alone. You are told enough, and that’s all you’re getting. The human connection between the groups of people was… nice! So, on that front, I would recommend this book for you to try.

Please give this a go.

Would you like to purchase your very own copy?

You could try these online stores: Amazon UK/USA. Waterstones. AbeBooks UK/ USA, Barnes and Noble and eBay UK/ USA.

Alternatively, you could try your local bookshop or even your local library.