This is a translation of Dobutsu no sorei, a collection of short stories by award-winning scriptwriter-poet turned fiction writer, Tomioka Taeko. In an objective style reminiscent of Japanese puppet theater, Tomioka deconstructs the discourse of the nuclear family and heterosexuality in gendered Japanese culture. Her stories focus on ordinary people who take life as it comes, living from day to day without the intervention of ego or rationalization, unfettered by introspection or a search for life's ultimate meaning. The stories are disturbing, moving, and compelling.

Chapter 1 The Funeral of a Giraffe; Chapter 2 Yesteryear 1. "Yesteryear," hatsumukashi in Japanese, is the name of a quality tea produced from leaves plucked on March 21 of the lunar calendar.; Chapter 3 Happy Birthday; Chapter 4 A Dog's Eye View; Chapter 5 Days of Dear Death; Chapter 6 Yesterday's Girl; Chapter 7 Time Table;