The Book Nook

Intriguing Japanese Authors   When people ask me to provide reading suggestions, it’s generally beneficial to me as well.  Asking questions to guide me towards what they might like often yields new or forgotten treasures I can share with others.  This happened after I helped a reader from Japan looking for authors outside of her home country.  During our discussion she gladly shared her favorite Japanese titles and, fortunately for me, the library offered some that had been translated into English. Her first suggestion was “Kitchen”, a very short yet moving story about loss and healing.  It’s the debut novel by Banana Yoshimoto, who is known for writing stories with unusual characters. The story centers on Mikage, a young woman who becomes an orphan following the death of her beloved grandmother.  She’s sad, unable to sleep and feeling adrift in the world.  Then she’s approached by Yuichi, another student at the university she attends.  He and his mother are aware of her loss and invite her to dinner. She’s captivated by their beautiful kitchen and confesses that all kitchens make her happy.  She accepts an invitation to live with them temporarily and starts cooking meals for them.  This gives her life purpose as she works up the courage to clean out her grandmother’s apartment and find a new place to live. Once on her own again, she learns that tragedy has left Yuichi despondent, but is unsure how to help.  She finds a way to get him past the pain and darkness, finding that her own heart has also become lighter.   This copy of the book also included a second and even shorter work – “Moonlight Shadow”, which has similar themes of young people dealing with loss.  In this novella, two young people are mourning the death of someone close to them.  They struggle not only with the sudden loss but also with being denied an opportunity for closure.  Then, one of them is approached by a stranger who offers a mysterious gift which provides peace of mind. After finishing both stories I was impressed by how quickly the author could convey the main characters’ relationship with so few words.  The tone is subdued, even sad, yet there’s a determined effort by each the characters to move towards happiness. Banana Yoshimoto is a contemporary writer from a creative family.  Her sister is well-known for her manga and other artwork while her father is considered one of Japan’s top poets.  She majored in literature in college, which is when she changed her name from Mahoko, reflecting her love of the beautiful banana flower.  Those seeking a contemplative read with spare language will appreciate her work. If you’re a mystery lover, try “The Devotion of Suspect X” by Keigo Higashino, which offers an intriguing story about love, murder and sacrifice.  What makes this whodunit different is that we know the murderer’s identity early in the story.  Describing this closely plotted fiction without spoilers is tricky, so apologies if I leak significant details. A single mother living with her teenage daughter realizes they’re not as safe as they thought.  A dangerous person from the woman’s past tracks her down and threatens them both.  The situation quickly turns deadly and soon there’s a dead body in their apartment.  An argument about what to do next is interrupted by a knock at the door. A neighbor named Ishigami heard something suspicious.  Turns out he’s a math genius who used his powers of observation and deduction to determine what happened.  His conclusion is eerily accurate.  Just as surprising is his offer to help.  He seems unconcerned about being involved in the crime and ably diverts suspicion when the police arrive with their questions. While the evidence makes sense, it doesn’t make perfect sense, which bothers the lead detective.  He turns to his friend Dr. Yukawa, a brilliant physicist who has helped him solve difficult crimes over the years.  As the investigation proceeds and the detective discloses details, Yukawa recognizes Ishigami’s name from his past.  The two attended college together and the physicist decides to visit his friend.  What follows is a battle of wits and a clever game of cat-and-mouse filled with twists and an uncertain outcome. This cleverly-conceived fiction focuses on picking apart a fool-proof alibi.  Readers will be able to guess Ishigami’s motivation for helping, and watching him replay events in his head and adjust his next moves resembles a very serious chess game. Character-driven mysteries rely on carefully-woven storylines, and this one won’t disappoint.  They also require red-herrings which serve to divert reader from the facts.  There are plenty of these as the plot twists and turns multiple times.  Sacrifice is a featured theme from beginning to end.  The idea of trusting your life to a stranger is a fascinating one, and readers may find themselves caught up the intriguing game. “The Devotion of Suspect X” was very popular in Japan and became a trend-setting book.  It was translated into several languages and was the basis for a movie of the same name. And speaking of translations, the process of conveying a story from one language into another cannot be an easy feat and can make all the difference in how a book is experienced and understood.  Megan Backus provided the translation from Japanese for the two works by Banana Yoshimoto, while Alexander O. Smith did so for Keigo Higashno’s novel.  Thanks to them and to translators everywhere who allow readers to enjoy works by authors from other countries, enriching our lives by opening new doors.