Kitchen - by Banana YoshimotoThis is my first book for the Japanese Literature Challenge 4 (JLC) being hosted by Dolce Bellezza. In past JLC's I discovered Murakami as one of my favourite Japanese Authors. This year I have set the challenge to find others - and now Banana Yoshimoto joins the ranks. Besides the fact I think her name is just gorgeous, this little book was a winner for me.
Firstly, it's short. Secondly, she cleverly fits all sorts of stuff into two short stories. The back cover reads:
For me - I enjoyed the strong and the flimsy threads through the lives of the two main characters. I don't really want to say alot about the book, but that I was engaged with the characters, learnt more about Japanese society, and was reminded that not all things turn out for everyone, and sometimes there is no 'ending'..
For JLC 4 - I'm currently reading Murakami's 'A Wild Sheep Chase', and then I'm reading Yoshimoto's 'Goodbye Tsugumi'.
Firstly, it's short. Secondly, she cleverly fits all sorts of stuff into two short stories. The back cover reads:
Kitchen juxtaposes two tales about mothers, transsexuality, bereavement, kitchens, love and tradgegy in contemporary Japan. It is a startlingly original first work by Japan's brightest young literary star and is now a cult film.
For me - I enjoyed the strong and the flimsy threads through the lives of the two main characters. I don't really want to say alot about the book, but that I was engaged with the characters, learnt more about Japanese society, and was reminded that not all things turn out for everyone, and sometimes there is no 'ending'..
For JLC 4 - I'm currently reading Murakami's 'A Wild Sheep Chase', and then I'm reading Yoshimoto's 'Goodbye Tsugumi'.
What a great name right?
ReplyDeleteI read this one for the JCL challenge last year and thought it was such a moving book. The way she described the grief the characters experienece was really touching. Glad you enjoyed this one. I really want to read Goodbye Tsugumi. I'll be looking forward to your review.
This was the first novel I read of Banana's, for the very first Japanese Literature Challenge four years ago. It's been awhile since I read it, but I remember being amazed that an author so young could write of such sadness with such beauty. I remember loving it.
ReplyDeletenice review-I prefered Goodbye Tsugumi over Kitchen though I am in the minority in that opinion
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