This little collection is short and sweet, consisting of 3 short stories and a poem, but hits the mark with each.

The first story consists of a single part, and features aguy stuck in a relationship that's consuming his soul and when he's finally free, finds the hold she has on him is deeper than he can escape.

The second is a several part story of trauma from which the book takes its title. It's raw and emotional and again features the theme of life trapping you in its grip, with a somewhat preternatural twist.

Lastly, is a classic werewolf story with a twist, from the viewpoint of a wife stuck in an unsupportive relationship and a history of pregnancies gone awry, and by which she's haunted.

All 4 parts to the book feature heavy themes of mental health and mental anguish, all portrayed well in my opinion. They also each shine a light on a variety of relationships that fill readers and protagonists alike with dread and moral questioning, something I enjoy a lot about the horrid genre especially when written by women, I've found.

This was a good book. I really love the world building and the characters. The pacing was really good and it kept the story moving and I was engaged the entire time as a reader. I love reading about the culture and all the stories involved in it

While this is a short collection of stories, each tale is dark and disturbingly beautiful in its own way. This author writes with raw emotion, and the JAPANESE BOX drips with it. The author explores the theme of the emptiness inside of us and the different ways that people cope with it in a haunting and lyrical way.

It was easy to get lost in this book, and I wish it was longer. I will definitely seek out more work from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy.

A book of Sadness, Confusion, Bipolar, Lovelorn, Self-Harm and Death.
Unusual tales that succinctly captures the essence of the book, emphasizing it's emotional depth and unconventional themes.

Well, this was really amazing! It's dark, gothic, sad, poetic and extremely beautiful!
I want to read more from this author. Solid five stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for a honest review!!

Short story collections usually aren’t my thing, but I LOVED this. The stories were masterfully interwoven and had such an eerie atmosphere hanging over it like a dark miasma. Jennifer Anne Gordon’s writing is so poetic and beautifully crafted. A horrifying (and at times hyperrealistic) take on mental illness, she was able to accomplish so much in such a short amount of pages.

I really enjoyed reading The Japanese Box and Other Stories. The short stories and poem in this book are dark, creepy, chilling, and scary. You can really related to stories if you have been dealing with grief. Any horror fan will enjoy this book. I like the author's writing style and look forward to reading her other works.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

What an exceptional collection of stories. This was one of the rare occasions that I enjoyed every story. This was true to the genre and I will definetly recommend this as one of the best collections I've read.

Japanese Box & Other Stories

Author:- Jennifer Ann Gordon

Book :- 140 Pages

Publisher:- Last Waltz Publishing

The Japanese Box is a love letter to anxiety, trauma, grief, and longing. It is a story of a child becoming
an adult, and all the ghosts and misfortunes that happen in order to survive.
The Lithium Moon: Simone is an artist by day, and an emotionally abused wife at night. She is a
successful artist with a long history of schizoid effective disorder with bipolar tendencies.

Review....

The short stories in this book are not light & airy ( ⚠️ Trigger warnings ⚠️ )

* Trauma
* murderous Thoughts
* slight sexual themes
* suicidal thoughts
* miscarriage
* loss
& other issues.

If ur OK with reading any of this then pick up this book... The short stories are only a few pages long but the wording used with a disturbing narrative to each story pulls you in wanting to read the events that unfold before you, each story dealing with growing up & how certain events form us and cause us to grow up too fast, but there are also 1 or 2 stories that deal with adult themed issues like miscarriage & this story hit me quite hard ( I have experienced miscarriage twice in my past).

It's worth a read but do not read if these triggers effect you allot

This is a detailed and raw account of trauma yet coming through the other side as an adult. Many triggering topics are incorporated in these tales. Very atmospheric and dark in their depiction, this collection was a thought provoking read.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

I initially skimmed over this book, because to be honest I wasn't a huge fan of the cover. BUT the horror genre is near and dear to my heart, haha.

This book is a collection of short stories based around grief, anxiety and trauma. It's pretty short in length, so very easy to get through.
And I'm honestly a huge fan of short story collections anyway.

Lithium Moon really ... captured me. Out of everything in that book, that story really struck me. I don't 'want to say too much to give the storyline away, but it features artist Simone who has bpd and skitzo-effective disorder.

If you're a horror fan, check this one out. Worth the read even if it doesn't wow you completely.

The Japanese Box: A Memoir of Horror, Trauma, and Survival

The story of a potential serial killer's origin; the Japanese Box is a combination of memoir, creative nonfiction, and the horror of a coming-of-age and middle-age story. Imagine growing up with a reflection that is frequently absent and a Japanese box filled with items that should never have been there. Memories. Violence. The Japanese Box is a tribute to anxiety, trauma, grief, and longing. It is the story of a child growing up and all the ghosts and misfortunes they encounter in order to survive.

The Lithium Simone is an artist by day and an emotionally abused wife at night. She is a successful artist with a long history of schizoid effective disorder with bipolar tendencies. When her marriage deteriorates, she suffers her first miscarriage. The tragedy coincides with a wolf moon, causing trauma and magic to appear to merge in Simone's mind.

This story delves into sadness, illness, hallucinations, full moons, and the creative process. What Stage of Grief is not a poem or a song, but rather a dirge. This poem walks a fine line between nightmares and memories, fantasy and reality, grief stories and love stories, dogs and drama, nightmares, and nevermore.

Such a beautiful book. It's short, at times a difficult read due to the subject matters - self harm, grief, mental health, abuse, eating disorders and so much more. So go into it with more trigger warnings than a box of faulty guns - as they are loaded and could hurt.

I don't say that lightly. Honestly, it's written so well, and in such a raw and straight-from-the-heart way that it's difficult not to lose yourself in its casual darkness. The train of thought style that permeates the book delivers hammer blows to the psyche whilst kissing your neck.

As the blurb would suggest, it's extremely thought provoking and to be read when feeling sturdy in oneself's mental health. But read it you should - especially men - as I feel you will learn much about women within its pages.

Tough and wonderful. 5 Stars.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this.

A haunting collection of short stories, “The Japanese Box & Other Stories” by Jennifer Anne Gordon, explores the horror of our own psyches. With unreliable narrators at the helm of most of the stories, you’ll be questioning what’s real to the very last page. Each piece feels like a master study of grief and sadness. Gordon creates such lonely worlds but writes them with such poetry.

Similar Vibes: Come Closer by Sara Gran, and Daniel Isn’t Real (2019)