This collection of five short stories is the second book in the Galileo series. The short stories were first published between 1998 and 2000 in the magazine オール読物 (よみもの).
Review
This second book in the Galileo series is slightly different from the first one, 『探偵ガリレオ』. In my review of this first volume, I said that physics-related explanations were present in each story, and that they never really managed to trigger my interest nor to really convince me.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that the stories in 『予知夢』 have taken a different direction. The scientific elements are dramatically reduced. Instead of presenting us with a problem that is apparently impossible and explain it with science, the short stories in 『予知夢』 present us with apparently supernatural phenomenons and explain them with logic, rationalism and deductions.
I found this book extremely addictive, I have read one short story a day, completely putting aside my other books. I love the theme of supernatural elements, and how it is explained in a rational way. I also start getting used to and liking the character of Yukawa, whom I did not particularly like in the first book. Overall, going through all these short stories allowed me to feel closer to the duo of protagonists.
If you want to read the Galileo series but are not particularly excited about physics and science, you could skip the first book and start the series with 『予知夢』 . In any case, 『予知夢』 is a book that I recommend, especially if you prefer reading short stories in Japanese instead of diving into a whole novel.
Other books in this series:
About
I’m learning Japanese, Korean and Chinese to read mystery novels and play video games in these languages.
Learning languages has always been one of my favourite hobbies, but I’m not a social person, I don’t like to meet new people and make friends, this is just not me. I keep hearing that languages are meant for communication, that we have to actively use them, talk with natives, etc. and for a long time, I thought it was weird to learn languages just to read books, with zero interest in communication.
Now I don’t really care what people think, and this blog helped me a lot to stop doubting myself and just do what I enjoy doing.
Hi Inhae, I could not find any contact info for you on this blog, so sorry for the unrelated comment. I am writing an post about the use of ブックカバー (the leather/paper/cloth protective case that people use for their books) in Japan for my blog and wanted to know if you used one as well. I am curious in general if any other non-native Japanese book readers have gotten into the habit of using them. I use them a lot.
Anyways, do you use them? If so, why? And if you feel comfortable with me quoting you on my blog, please let me know. If not, that’s okay. Thanks for all of your book reviews!
Yes I use them, but only the cloth ones that I have bought separately, not the paper ones you receive when you buy your book in Japanese bookshops (I usually decline when they offer them).
I have bought one or two book covers every time I traveled to Japan, so I have a small collection by now. I don’t know if people mostly use book covers to protect their book or to hide what they are reading, but I use them just because they are so beautiful. It is something that I am happy to carry with me, like a pretty accessory. I also like to choose from all my book covers when I go out. Even if I am still reading the same old book, choosing either the bright orange/cat cover, the turquoise forest theme or the white/purple floral pattern makes things feel fresh and new. I feel like I am matching my book with my mood 🙂
I am also curious whether non-native Japanese readers use book covers or not… Anyway, feel free to quote my answer and edit
it if needed. Don’t hesitate to send me a link when you have published your post, it’s an interesting topic!
https://japanesebookclubcafe.com/2020/08/05/what-are-book-covers-and-why-are-they-so-popular-in-japan/
Thank you for the link! So interesting!! I also thought that more Japanese were using book covers… I am currently living in Korea, but if I were living in France like I used to, I think I would use a book cover for the same reason you mention.
Thank you for asking me to participate!
Thank you so much! And yes, I will send you a link when its posted 🙂