Customer Reviews

SHAKEN: Stories for Japan

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Tim Hallinan and the 20 or so mystery writers who have contributed to this anthology have done a remarkable job with stories that cover a range of mystery sub-genres and are each somehow connected to Japan. Some chilling, some scary, some funny but all well written and a pleasure to read. Well done!

SHAKEN is a book of short stories written by some of the most popular writers in fiction today, especially in the mystery genre. Tim Hallinan approached some of his friends with the idea of a book that could be sold as an ebook with all the money going to help the people of Japan suffering from the earthquake and the tsunami. SHAKEN is the result of that collaboration and it is a book worth everyone's attention. For the paltry sum of $3.99 on Amazon, less than the cost of most fancy coffees, readers will get a taste of writers whose works are new to them and another look at authors whose work we know in long form and now get to appreciate in the shorter form of story-telling.

The Japan America Society is the organization which will be dispersing the money raised by the sales of the book, guaranteeing that every penny goes where it is pledged.

Not all the stories are mysteries. They are stories that span human experience while reflecting Japanese culture. Some are in the present time, some are not. Some take place in Japan, many do not. All will resonate with the reader in a way that is personal to each.

Some of the writers are new to me but I will be remedying that very soon. Vicki Doudera sets her story in a small town on the coast of Maine. Wendy Hornsby tells the story of The Emperor's Truck and a determined young girl during World War II. Stefan Hammond writes of a group of young women who have lost their way but maybe have found the way for another. Dianne Emley introduces the reader to a couple of girls, teenagers in the 1970's, who share a secret that challenges their views of family. Rosemary Harris offers a glimpse of life among the genteel, gracious ladies of Connecticut in 1983. Debbi Mack takes a look at roots and the soil that nourishes them. Gary Phillips takes a slightly different look at the obligations of family.

Then there are all the wonderful stories written by people whose books I have read : Naomi Hirahara, Kelli Stanley, Dale Furutani, Brett Battles, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Jeri Westerson, C.J. West, and I.J. Parker.

Last but not least are Tim Hallinan, Cara Black, and Jeff Siger who prove again that they cannot write anything that isn't terrific whether it is a full-length mystery, a short story, or a post on their blog, Murder Is Everywhere.

And because a picture is worth a thousand words, congratulations to Gar Anthony Haywood who designed the stunning cover that is so evocative of the double horrors inflicted on the people of northern Japan.

Guys, this is not only a wonderful book, but a wonderful initiative.

Thanks for the reading pleasure.

And thanks for the opportunity it gave me to contribute, in a small way, to the very worthy cause for which it was conceived.

I hope you sell millions!

I just downloaded my kindle for PC. I had no idea that this was something that could be done. I only was made aware of it from these stories. "Shaken: Stories for Japan" ...... it is overwhelming for me to imagine what it has been like for them. But I know in reading these stories I will be a degree closer to understanding. So my review is really my appreciation that this is available and later on once I am finished I will be able to say how good they are.

It is astonishing that 20 writers could produce such wonderful works in such a short time. The stories touch the gamut of emotions, and the proceeds are going to touch people who are dealing with tragedy with dignity, who look out for others as much as they look out for themselves. My congratulations and gratitude to Tim Hallinan and his colleagues. Stan Trollip

I'd never heard of the Japan America Society of Southern California before picking up a copy of "Shaken: Stories for Japan." As of the anthology's publishing, the Society has been in existence for 102 years.

Before the earthquake and subsequent tsunamis that hit Japan in March 2011, I hadn't heard of many of the places in Japan that would dominate world headlines. That's what a tragedy will do. For all the wrong reasons, it brings together people regardless of borders, cultures or routine.

For all the right reasons, a group of authors decided to put together an anthology of short stories. Each contribution intertwined some component of Japan and its people, be it present or past. All the proceeds go toward the ongoing relief efforts in Japan following those few minutes that changed everything. Amazon even agreed to donate its portion. The win-win-win of this anthology is a sign of humanity in an otherwise inhuman event.

That third win is for the reader. The quality of these stories is remarkable. I'm not saying other charitable anthologies aren't worth your time, but some forget about where these donations ultimately come from: the reader. The authors didn't submit backwash sitting idle on their desktop. No, these are quality stories that could stand on their own. It speaks to their passion for responding to this disaster that they would contribute such salable work.

In addition, each story is partitioned by haiku from "Narrow Road" by Matsuo Basho, one of the most renowned names in the craft. It reminds the reader of the timelessness of Japan, and why a country so eternal will survive to see better days.

It's a bit daunting to review each story individually, but I can say each was a treat to read. This is my first introduction to fiction with a Japan theme. It won't be my last, though, not with this talented roster. I'll be checking out their work.

Aside from Japan, a recurring theme was justice. Some find it, some don't. In the wake of a tragedy that still seems so unjust, that theme speaks loud and clear. Nature is cruel. It knows no justice, because nothing can deny it.

All you can do is plan for it. Which is what I encourage everyone to do with this anthology.

A wonderful collection of short stories centering on Japanese individuals in both the US and Japan and ranging in time from the far past up through the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire up to the present in the Japan devastated by the recent earthquake and tsunami. Each is very well written and all have unexpected ending twists. These authors have come together to produce this excellent collection for the sole purpose of raising funds for the current Japan recovery efforts, so there are two good reasons to make this purchase - excellent short stories and a worthy cause.

This book is everything one would want in a book about the Japanese people, and their ability to endure so many heartbreaking realities. From the earthquake in San Francisco, to just living in an ordinary life, to the cruel internments during WWII, these stories cover so much of the experience of the Japanese and our very mixed interactions with them. The haiku are so powerful and worth the price of the book alone. As a resident of earthquake prone California, I ached with the Japanese people, and feel very strange, enjoying a book so much when it is being sold to help them. Kudos to the authors who did what they did so well-write very good stories and remind us of our shared humanity.

and eBooks making it possible. Love supporting this cause while reading some great stories. ^.^/\ My heartfelt prayers to the people of Japan for their continued recovery and healing.

Twenty-one authors accepted the challenge set down by Tim Hallinan: write a short story that would be one part book, one part gift of time--which by the way, is no mean gift. These are professional authors with deadlines of their own to meet, the Japanese culture not necessarily part of their repertoire. And yet, Cara Black, Dale Furutani, Brett Battles, Dianne Emley, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Rosemary Harris, Debbi Mack, Jeffrey Siger, Adrian McKinty, Naomi Hirahara, Vicki Doudera, Tim Hallinan, Ken Kuhlken, Kelli Stanley, Wendy Hornsby, Stefan Hammond, Gary Phillips, Jeri Westerson, CJ. West and IJ Parker all said yes. I couldn't do it, not in the time allotted these authors as they jumped into a completely unique and foreign culture, making a deadline that would choke most of us writers. But, they did it, allowing the book to have its most immediate impact for the 2011 Japan Relief Fund.

The stories range from 11th century Japan to post WWII in America to present day Japan. But, each story, whether it's a simple noodle girl who balks at tradition in order to decide her own fate, to a gang of cutthroat Yakuzi murdering each other so that one can be credited for the much needed supplies after this last earthquake, will capture, leaving you with memories of places you may never visit, but will always remember.

I was delighted by the simplicity of the plots laid out in patterns that effortlessly walked across the pages of my Kindle. This is a full length book of wonderful stories, and yes, I have my favorites, adding some new names to search out when it comes time to pick up a new book, but I'm sure you will find your own. Buy it. You won't be sorry.

RPDahlke, author

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