BAKEMONOGATARI, Part 1

By: NISIOISIN

Narrated by: Eric Kimerer, Cristina Vee, Erica Mendez, Keith Silverstein

There’s a girl at their school who is always ill. She routinely arrives late, leaves early, or doesn’t show up at all, and skips gym as a matter of course. She’s pretty, and the boys take to whispering that she’s a cloistered princess. As the self-described worst loser in her class soon finds out, they just don’t know what a monster she is.

So begins a tale of mysterious maladies that are supernatural in origin yet deeply revealing of the human psyche, a set of case files as given to unexpected feeling as it is to irreverent humor. So begins the legendary novel that kicked off the MONOGATARI series, whose anime adaptations have enjoyed international popularity and critical acclaim.

This first of three parts introduces Senjogahara and Hachikuji, and fans of the blockbuster prequel KIZUMONOGATARI will be delighted to meet their favorite crazies again: the weirdly reliable narrator Araragi, class president among class presidents Hanekawa, shady problem-solver Oshino, and a certain pale, blonde former vampire.

Witty Chatty Fun

I recommend this book to fans of short stories, surreal realism, and witty, often humorous, dialogue.

This book consists of two short stories, Hitagi Crab and Mayoi Snail. The former is on the shorter side and the latter is on the longer side. But both are memorable and hilarious. They each also follow the same formula of introducing a character, their problem, and aiding them into solving their problem. Except the problem is never truly what it seems, there are twists within twists. Furthermore, though there are monsters and gods, everything is strongly grounded in reality… except when it’s not.

The greatest part is not the formula or the setting, but the character interactions and dialogue. The characters play off each other, play word games with each other, and just all around go on crazy entertaining tangents. I can’t count how many times I was laughing out loud.

So, this book is a great escape that will make you think and it isn’t too anime-like to put off people who aren’t a fan of anime/manga/etc.

such a good read and now a great listen

Such good choice of actors for these audio books. Own physical copies of the books but bought these to listen to at work. I pray to the universe they will keep doing these. Keith Silverstein such a good choice for Oshino. What a nice way to re enjoy something.

great book on tape

really great story especially after hearing kizu. the voice actors do a great job as well.

absolute joy

Loved everything about this.
Only wish would be to be able to get all 3 parts at once.

I love Senjougahara

I love the dialogue and meaning behind everything that happens and how it unfolds