Unfortunately, this feels like one of those books that got lost in translation (through no fault of the translator). Japanese is notoriously different to translate into English, and I'm assuming that is what is to blame for the somewhat stilted language and dialogue. I found this collection to be repetitive in theme and voice. None of the characters were undisguisable from each other in how they spoke or thought, and the theme of "we get older and things change" was the main one, but the stories were all too short to really explore it. By the 25% mark I feel like I got everything I was going to get from this collection, and I was right.

A Hundred Years and a Day is perhaps best experienced in the original language within the storytelling traditions of Japan, because translated into English and read within a Westernised culture, it just didn't work. With 34 stories in total I was expecting variation but Shibasaki's stories lacked this entirely. Many of the stories were retellings of the same trope - people meet in childhood, time passes, the landscape becomes unrecognisable, they return to discover what they once knew is gone. I'd say almost a third of the stories all followed this structure and this became very tedious. Moreover, the language, for the most part, was prosaic, with only a few moments of beautiful description and narration. Otherwise it was simplistic and, again, boring. Unfortunately, this is a collection of short stories I wouldn't recommend; even while I appreciate what Shibasaki was perhaps trying to do - capturing the mundane life's experiences of us all and finding the beauty and wonder in the little moments - the narration and variation just wasn't strong enough for the collection to be enjoyable.

Short and really unique stories, but the writing style was telling over showing so it didn’t work for me. While the stories had unique premises, they were too short to stay with me and make an impact.

Unfortunately, I was not very impressed with this collection. The plots for each story were cute vignettes but not very gripping; additionally the characters and dialogue felt impersonal.

Thank you to NetGalley and Stone Bridge Press for the ARC.

This book of stories read much like a book of fables. Short, concise and to the point. Most characters do not have names, and are referred to mostly as the boy, or the girl, or the woman, etc.

I can appreciate the minimalistic nature of each story, however, this style is not for me. I really felt like there was not much substance or even a point to each of the stories. I guess I just like something with a bit more meat on its bones.

This was a very quick read, very small snippets into every day life’s interesting to see these quick changes.

I’ve been enjoying short stories recently so thought I would give this book a try. While not a bad book, I just didn’t connect with this one as much as I hoped to. I am am a firm believer that not every book is for every person and this one just wasn’t for me.

There is something magical here. On the surface just a collection of simple short stories but the sum of all the parts makes something memorable and worthwhile.

An interesting collection of short stories, they are so ordinary you might have overheard a few on your journey home. They reflect life, a way of life no longer seen, due to progress and development over time.
The people, the locations and the simple aspects of daily existence. Neighbourhoods, basic interactions and hopes for the future.

Unlike some tales there isn’t an element of mystery, the supernatural or folklore nuances and influences are largely absent. Rather these seem plain narratives, factual fiction that entertain by their ordinariness. Almost unrelated events are linked as one remembrance spawns a new recollection.

It is this matter of fact approach, these brief insights that open expansive vistas, introduces characters that stick in the mind and allows your imagination to continue long after the story has ended.

The stories normality and simplicity allows a gentle stroll through the book as if you were turning pages in a photo album. The magic and compulsion brought about by good writing.

We had a geography teacher you could sidetrack and set off on a tangent that left glaciation behind to embrace random, unrelated and involved accounts of unforgettable information. It broke up his lessons and often led him to forget to set homework. I love this book as it is the direct opposite of such rambling. These are stories brimming with life; well written and beautifully translated that lift your spirit and have you enthralled and hanging on every word. If you like stories you’ll love this book full of a different culture and refreshing outlook on life.

The plot takes a few unexpected turns that keep things interesting without feeling forced. While not every subplot is resolved, the overall experience is satisfying. It strikes a nice balance between entertainment and introspection.

This collection of short stories offers an intriguing read, though it may not resonate with everyone. While the style of offering subtle glimpses into people's lives could captivate some readers, I felt that something was lacking.

A Hundred Years and a Day (Feb 2025) is a translation of Tomoka Shibasaki’s Hyaku-nen to Tsuitachi (2020) by Polly Barton. The collection consists of 34 short stories, or more precisely, vignettes, that offer brief glimpses into the lives of people and the places they inhabit or pass through—like a rooftop apartment, a train station, or a ramen shop. The characters are mostly unnamed, giving the stories a detached, almost neutral tone.

Each story is a slice of life, capturing a fleeting moment in the characters' experiences. While most events seem trivial, a few stand out as turning points. There's no grand drama, no major surprises, and the incidents sometimes feel random. Yet, for the characters involved, these seemingly small moments will later take on unforeseen significance. The true impact of these events unfolds toward the end of each vignette.

One thing that stood out to me in this collection is the titles of the stories—long, detailed sentences that's like something you'd see in isekai anime titles (if you know, you know). 😆

Generally, large short story collections tend to have more misses than hits, but surprisingly, I found myself enjoying nearly every story here. If you're looking for an easy, no-pressure read, this is a good choice.

A Hundred Years and a Day is a collection of short stories that captures the essence of human connection through Japanese literature. Each story stands alone, giving a variety of characters and situations that reflect the relationships in everyday life.

While the theme focuses on human connection, I am use to reading Murakami and so accustomed to the surreal and bizarre narratives. This collection is a lot more grounded and straightforward.

One aspect I didn’t like, is the introductory paragraph for each story. These intros sometimes feel like spoilers.

Overall the collection offers a nice exploration of human connections with cultural insights

A Hundred Years and a Day, by Tomoka Shibasaki and translated by Polly Barton, is a collection of short stories (perhaps vignettes might better describe them) where the characters are nameless and the locations, the villages and buildings, serve as additional characters.

It is true of all books that some people will like what the author does and some won't. Many times, no matter which view you hold, you don't immediately grasp why someone would feel the other way. For this book, I understand, even though I don't feel the same way, why many will be turned off or simply "not interested." The events are largely nonevents, in the way that most events in our own lives aren't anything big but may well stay with us and affect us for years. So readers wanting a straightforward story, the common "beginning, middle, end," will resist this one. Just please, as a former teacher, don't make it sound like there is only one way to correctly write a story. If a story doesn't work for you, that is fine. But the implication with using correct or proper is that whatever is done differently is incorrect and improper. If a story works, then it was done properly for that story. If it is how the writer wants to tell the story, then it was done properly for that writer. If it didn't work for you, then it didn't work for you. Subjective taste is not objective fact.

If you enjoy slice-of-life vignettes that may well cover an entire lifetime in just a few pages, that leave room for you to think about not just the story but your own life, then you will be richly rewarded. Don't read this as quickly as you will be tempted, let each story sit with you for a while. Maybe just five or ten minutes, maybe a day, you might be surprised at the insight some of them will offer on your own life. Change is constant, even when we aren't aware of it. Returning to any place, or any person for that matter, can be startling because of what is changed, and what hasn't. These are some of the things this volume will give you the chance to reflect on, if you are a reflective type of reader/thinker.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

These stories are ordinary, yet sometimes slightly offbeat, making them perfect for reading one at a time while waiting for someone in a café.
No alarms and no surprises.

This was a cozy read of 34 short stories.
Every story had a different theme and some I enjoyed, while others I could have done without. However I will say that Tomoka Shibasaki has talent and overall this was a nice read.
Thank you NetGalley & Stone Bridge Press for offering the opportunity.
arc

A Hundred Years and a Day by @shibasaki_tomoka , translated from the Japanese by @pollybukuro , is one of most unique story collections I’ve read in a while.

Sometimes when collections skew experimental, I find myself losing some enjoyment to the extra brainpower it takes me to keep up—certainly not the case here.

Yet again, @pollybukuro doesn’t steer me wrong. Truthfully, the cover & Polly’s name are what pushed me to give this one a try. The more translated lit I read, the more I learn to trust my favorite translators’ tastes. Polly is easily one of my auto-buy translators.

Do you have a translator you seek out? @lizzie_davis_ @kevingerrydunn & @emkateram keep Polly company on my list (so far)!

I recommend this one to fans of translated lit, unique structuring in story collections and/or lovers of indie presses.
@stonebridgepress is SUCH a great source for Japanese literature!! & I’m so grateful for this #gifted finished copy, thank you bunches 💌

From the author of the wonderful 'Spring Garden' comes this collection of 34 short stories, each linked by themes of connection, nostalgia, of moments in people's lives. It is a wonderful and immersive experience, one that will resonate with many people. The cumulative effect is one of contemplation - there is nothing flashy, no fireworks, no shocks. This is human existence, in all its quiet progression, our connection with time and changing landscapes and environments.

A subtle and involving series of stories, wonderfully translated by Polly Barton. 4.5 stars.

(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this title.)

These 34 short stories show compelling glimpses into people's days and lives. These stories are short and yet I get a sense of feeling complete with the interactions with each story.

A Hundred Years and a Day offers 34 very brief glimpses into the lives of others. The titles of the stories are more of a quick synopsis with the stories then fleshing out a few more details.

In a way, this collection felt more like a series of ideas for stories given in short form. There was a definite theme of human connection (or lack thereof in some cases) but the stories were so short that I didn't feel able to connect with them on an emotional level. This was nonetheless an interesting piece of work and I wouldn't avoid reading more by Shibasaki in future.

Temporary DNF

From what I have read so far, this is a beautiful short story collection, with strong themes of nostalgia and reflecting on the past, that currently stands on 3 and a half stars for me and has the potential to be a 4 or 5-star. The reason why I am DNF'ing is it is just not the right time for me to read this book, and if I were to read and review it right now I wouldn't appreciate it as much as I could at a later point. I will definitely be returning to it.