Akutagawa's The Trolley Cart

The surest way to grow your Japanese is to read, and to listen to, something real. The Trolley Cart is Akutagawa Ryūnosuke's short story, written in 1922: a boy, a work trolley on a half-built railway, and a ride that goes farther than he meant it to. Japanese schoolchildren have read it for generations. In this audiobook you hear all of it, in Akutagawa's own words, read by Yumi Boutwell.

The story is told in five parts, and each part is taught in six passes, so your understanding builds one layer at a time:

Story introduction: a short English preview so you know where you're headed

Vocabulary: key words in Japanese, then English, with room to repeat after a native speaker

Line-by-line: each sentence broken into short phrases with English meanings, then rebuilt

Normal speed: the part at natural pace, to hear how much more you catch now

Comprehension questions: answer out loud, then hear a model answer

English version: the whole part in English to confirm you understood it

At the end you hear the complete story once more, straight through, with sound.

Japanese narration by native speaker Yumi Boutwell, with English explanations by Clay Boutwell. For intermediate learners (JLPT N3 and up) ready for real Japanese literature. Includes a companion PDF with the full Japanese text, furigana and vocabulary notes.

© 2026 Makoto Press (Lydbog): 9780466617219

Udgivelsesdato

Lydbog: 24. oktober 2026