Book Review: The Stories of Ibis

The Stories of Ibis

By Hiroshi Yamamoto

Kaikusho Books

In a future where androids are the dominating presence and humans are left struggling for survival, a wandering story teller is kidnapped by the mysterious android Ibis and told the history of the machine’s rise through a series of stories. Though each story appears to be inconsequential to the other, they in fact reveal the earliest history of man’s interaction with machines. With every new tale, the story teller gains a little more insight into the true nature of the android and what her intentions are for sharing the stories with him.

Reading the Stories of Ibis left me with mixed feelings. The majority of the stories contained are previously published works from various years of the author Hiroshi Yamamoto’s career, with only two being specifically written for the book. As such, the quality varies. Between the stories are interludes, told from the story teller’s perspective as he discusses with Ibis the meaning behind each narrative. Truth be told, some are a chore to get through while others will breeze on by before you know it.

Needless to say, this is a book whose merit depends on the parts that make up the whole. Luckily, the good far outweighs the bad, combining to give readers a unique take on a dystopian future that really isn’t all that bleak.

The writing itself is a mixed bag. While the characters are interesting and well thought out, the descriptive nature leaves something to be desired. Much of the writing is simplistic, offering an almost shallow reading experience. It almost feels as if you’re reading the script for an anime.

On the whole, this book is recommended for young adults with an interest in sci-fi. Those looking for something deeper will want to look elsewhere.

The Stories of Ibis - B-