JLT #19 - book review - Exophony

 Exophony: Voyages outside the Mother Tongue by Yoko Tawada

Translated by Lisa Hofmann-Kuroda

This was an unexpected find and addition to my #JapaneseLiteratureChallenge list, however, it's been quite engaging and entertaining, for a work of non-fiction. 

It came to be in my reading pile, when I sent my partner to the bookshop to get me a copy of Mieko Kawakami’s novel “Sisters in Yellow”. The bookshop didn't have it, so my partner and the assistant thought this would be a suitable alternative..  Not sure it was the same camp, but it was a Japanese Author. 

So I've not been reading this work 'in order because I found each chapter to be quite a different piece of work. In Part 1 - she talks about her experiences as a Japanese born but bilingual German resident, and seems to reflect on her experiences as she's been in different cities around her conference or writing lifestyle. The chapters are titles by the cities she's travelled to. Dakar, Berlin, Los Angles, Paris, Cape Town etc..... in each chapter she's reflecting on different 'relationships' people have with language. 

The most powerful quote from Part 1 for me speaks to the power that language has. The author reflects on the juxtaposition of the german words schrei (scream) and Schreiben (to write). 

To be able to choose the kind of education you want, to have the luxury of writing poems and novels, is quite rare. Most people are not given a voice at all. Instead they die with silent screams on their lips, their eyes flung wide open as they watch the destruction around them. To write is not the same thing as to scream. And yet, if writing were cut off from the act of screaming, it would no longer be literature. The act of screaming is inseperable from the act of writing. though the two words do not share an etymology, they are intimately bound together through a persons lived experiences. 

Part 2 she titles "adventures in German'..  Here I've been taken on some word game play. She mingles her Japanese and German language knowledge.  I've highlighted this little interplay: 

The literal meaning of the Japanese work sakubun (composition) - which is written with the characters for 'to make' and 'text' - is really quite blunt. The image that comes to mind when you think about 'making' something is of gathering materials, using tools, putting things together. But writing isnt at all like that. As you write something invisible flows out of the surface of your skin and language begins to move like a living creature. Your body temperature may become slightly elevates, and you many enter into a slightly euphoric state as you abandon your ego altogether. This process does not at all match the craftsmanlike feeling of the word tsukuru (to make). I wondered if there wasn't another word  that more accurately described the act of writing, something that captured its magical quality. 

It's been these reflections and Tawada's analysis of the interplay of language, words, craft, and the history of words, that has been keeping me diving into different chapters, and returning to some for more. 

One of her reflections has kept me asking my friends about their thoughts on this. Tawada believes you can hold more than one 'mother toungue'. When you speak with people who have more than one language, we often ask then which one they prefer? or we try to comprehend how their brain splits the different language elements. Do they dream in one or another? Well, Tawada is playing with the concept that they need not be 'buckets' but merged, seemlessly.. 

I am enjoyed my deviation in non-fiction Japaense literature, and I dont think this book will be put back into public circulation just yet - there's still room on my shelf for this one. 

To close out - here's an image I asked AI to create for me - that I think expressed how language and life merge - where the birds pass over us, and their shadows travel with us. 

JLC #19 - Book Review - Men without Women

 Some light bedtime reading??  Murakami “Men without women”. 

“stories of loneliness, of men struggling in a world, forced to live their lives for whatever reason without women”.  Review

 In the last short story of the book, I found what appears to be the punch line for me

 Suddenly one day you become Men without Women. That days comes to you completely out of the blue, without the faintest of warnings or hunts beforehand.

Murakami goes on to day “only Men without Women can comprehend how painful, how heartbreaking, it is to become one. You loose that wonderful west wind….

 I’ve been reading the short stories as my commitment to the Japanese Literature Challenge #19. Each one of the 6 short stories comes from the perspective of a man, in different iterations of a mans life and life stage.  I think only 2 of the stories were a little too bizarre for me to see the point, but still, Murakami does write with some magic.. and I keep on reading.  Murakami writes about men who have slept with other mens wives, or other men who have slept with the main character’s wife, and mostly I think women who die. One of the stories is of a man who lives with a disability, and the women in his life are paid carers who also sleep with him, but also bring companionship to his housebound life. In another story, a well to do cosmetic surgeon, with a womanising reputation, ends up starving himself to death over a women he accidentally fell in love with… dramatic ending!!

But I think the take-away for me, is just how men (in Murakami's writings), see women as an integral part of their life journey, playing a variety of roles…  

I ponder, on this International Women’s Day, March 8, my reflections on this book of stories… perhaps dark, moody, and narrowly focused on a particular aspect of men's relationship with women.

 

The front cover of my hard copy depicts a black background with perhaps raindrops or tears.  Seems a fitting visual reference to the sadness this book conjures..

JLC #19 - Book Review - Hunchback

 

I'm still experimenting what what my type of book is... so this recommendation, among other references to this author, made me pick up this copy. 

A literary phenomenon in Japan, Hunchback is an extraordinary and thrilling debut novel about sex, disability and power

 Further more, Ichikawa is the first author with a physical disability to receive the Akutagawa Prize, Japan’s premier literary award. She has congenital myopathy, and uses a ventilator and an electric wheelchair. (ref). In 2025 she was also long listed for the international Booker Prize.

It was definitely something new for me, but so easy to read and get into the space and story, I completed it in 3 reading sittings.. Some reviews referred to it as 'hilarious' or 'up-roaringly funny', but to be honest I must have missed that thread. She does however let us in on her view of life with a disability that is quite provocative, and intense. 

I have delayed writing this review while I was processing my take on the book - but what I've come up with is - you need to be brave enough to be questioned when you take on this read. She does provoke the reader to consider what's acceptable or even possible, for someone who lives with a disability to think or do. In her book, Saou, lets us get to know her as a survivor, a resilient and persistent individual, and someone who doesn't what to waste he capacity to live and experience life as she sees it. 

There are a couple of scenarios explored in this short book which provoke the reader to question

• Wow, is this something happening in my city/ state or place? 
• I'm not sure that happens in real life? 
• is that even ethical? 
• Would this happen to an able bodied individual? 

For me, I want to join the author in celebrating the experience we have in our daily life, the hard ones and the joy-filled ones... We are all able to experience things, interpret those events, and choose more of less of them... that's the pleasure of learning to be who we are. 

Be brave, be curious - check out this author and her view on life. 

JLC #19 - Book Review - Murakami

 Plot Reveal Warning: I dont think I can review this without some outline of the plot.. 

Its truly bizarre .... and sooo Murakami! 

An ordinary man, Mr Katagiri, is approached by a giant frog to be a collaborator in the task for saving the city from an earthquake, for which the frog says, is yet to occur but is imminent.

Firstly the frog has to convince the man he has the right man, and that the frog knows what he's talking about. Then the frog explains the plan...

The earthquake will occur when a giant worm has a temper tantrum. .they need to intervene and stop the worm!

Of course! Makes perfect sense!

However, at the critical moment in the plan, it seems the man is stopped in his tracks... and ends up in hospital..
Misses the whole worm & frog event... underground
Earthquake is avoided..

My summary is just the highlights, Murakami takes the reader on a journey.. perhaps its fantasy, but its a captivating read. Fun. Leaves you both entertained and intrigued. 

some typical Murakami moments:

- Mr Katagiri is a proper Japanese business man who insists on call the frog, Mr Frog. But the Frog insists on being called Frog.. this just adds a sense of familiarity which itself is bizarre

- Mr Katagiri, like many of Murakami's character is portrayed as an average citizen - who gets home with "his brief case and his grocery bag with fresh vegetables and canned salmon" .

- there are weird moments when things go into alternate reality. - like when Frog's demise occurs in front of Mr Katagiri (I wont explain it - it was kind of grosse. 

Its s short story, with unexpected twist & turns...
And a trip worth taking with Murakami

The bonus is the graphics on every page.
I loved it.

I couldn't resist..... and perhaps the time is right

 

Hello my friends, it's been a long time. 

Nothing like a little challenge to get oneself into gear. Thank you Dolce Bellezza! I've always loved this challenge. It was through this challenge that I found myself actually enjoying fiction, learning to love surrealism, and even some historic fiction. This challenge has given me virtual escapes to a country I've only visit once, but felt at home in. So it's only fitting I come back to it, when I'm feeling the need for some escapism and a vacation. 

I've found four books to dive into for this challenge, and I hope to review this month. 

"Hunchback" came to me via a podcast I've been really enjoying - BookShelfie: Women's Prize Podcast. Vick Hope interviews women about the books that changed them. 

The Guardian said "The narrator muses on everything from pornography to David Lynch, in this gloriously transgressive debut from Japan"... 

Anyway, I couldnt resist but to pick it up this season. 

"Exophony" was an accidental addition to my list. I sent my partner off to the local independent bookshop to find something by Yoko Tsushima (pen name). I was intrigued by something I read about her work being inspired or informed by her own experience. 

Anyway, what came home from the bookshop was this - a non fiction collection of essays, noted in reviews as "a brilliant exploration of language and its relationship to power, colonialism and history'. I'm getting into this, and finding some great insights.... more review to come. 

Murakami is just one of my go to favourites for escapism.. So this year I've picked one from my previously read pile, and I've started re-reading. Strangely, I usually dont re-read - but perhaps the time is right.... 

Imagine my surprise when I walked through a city bookshop to see this! It was a must have. 

Thanks to #JLC19 - I had my eye's open for a new Murakami. The girl in the bookshop said she didnt think the story was new, just that this book is illustrated... I dont recall reading the story before, so this addition to my list was a must have.  Review to come, but here's a glimpse of the fabulous illustrations... 

So after years of non-blogging, I make my re-entry through the portal of the Japanese Literature Challenge now in it's 19th year! 
 

Paris in July 2023 - It's still alive!!

 

It's is with Great pleasure and humble gratitude that I am passing the baton this year to Emma at Words and Peace, to lead and host Paris in July 2023.  

I'm so honoured that our event has such a sincere and genuine group of followers, lovers of all things French, that together, we've found a way to keep it alive. I'm even more excited that we might see where these developments take us, as Emma will have her ways of doing things, and has already flagged with me some exciting ideas. 

For me, I have been managing some life matters that have needed some attention, and I knew if I put out a call for assistance it would be there.  I will endeavour to follow along this year, and may find a post or two in me also. 

Avez-vous un bonne voyage mes amis, et j'espere que vous decouvre beacoup des chose neuveux de la Paris! 

Tamara 

Paris in July 2023

 For the love of cycling

Tour Down Under 2023 - the Dutch Corner

Tour Down Under - the caravan 

Bonjour mes amis! 

The Tour de France is coming, and for those who know me, you know I love the TV footage of this huge event that takes in the sights and loves of all things French... so, Yes, it's that time of year... when I would also normally be hosting the Paris in July Blogging Event...

The Paris in July blogging event, has been a huge success of the years, largely because of you - the participants. It's always been an event that welcomes everyone who loves all things Paris and France. It's been about 

• books & movies
• restaurant reviews and favourite meals
• recipes
• theatre, film and festivals
• travel memories 
• favourite photos of Paris
• wine tastings
• itineraries for travellers

The event has been hosted here, at Thyme-for-tea, with weekly sign-in posts, weekly reviews, and a widget that supported you to link to other bloggers involved. 

This year, I'm just not sure I can maintain the level of support this event has required in the past. So I'm posting this for two reasons

• declaring that I fear I can not honour participants with the right diligence 
• seeking expressions of interest from anyone who would like to take on hosting the event, or co-host with me... 

I would love to hear your thoughts about how you would like to see Paris in July hosted in 2023. 

Tamara