Japanese
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Review of Marshland by Otohiko Kaga
I waited with trembling breath for over a year as the publication was delayed. Since I’m always on the lookout for new translations of Japanese literature, I often poke around Dalkey’s offerings.This is a historical novel in which a former convict going straight gives keen observations, exercises patience in his…
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Review of The Beggar Student by Osamu Dazai
Dazai stays in character with this autobiographical short novel about a sad author attempting to reconnect with his lost youth by hanging out with (or harassing) schoolboys. By sharing in their game, he attempts to recapture the sense of adventure and perhaps the inspiration he has lost in his dissolute…
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Review of Vanishing World by Sayaka Murata
Strange and unsettling lightly speculative fiction from a provocative author. Like with her previously Englished novels and story collections, Murata returns with a surprising novel of pointed social commentary. Though this one was too heavy-handed for my taste, it included enough nuance to captivate me most of the way through.…
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Review of Set My Heart on Fire by Izumi Suzuki
A great, sleazy Japanese novel in the tradition of Ryu Murakami and Shuichi Yoshida. I would love to read all of her books. I read and loved her two previous short story collections. So far, her most interesting book in English is Terminal Boredom. She broke from traditional Japanese realism…
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Review of Self-Portraits by Osamu Dazai
Can you turn a terrible life into high art? Dazai’s life was astoundingly reprehensible. Attempting three love suicides, succeeding at one, and attempting at least 3 other suicides. Combined with addiction, mental illness, alcoholism, infidelity, multiple marriages and illegitimate children, supporting prostitutes, engaging in public violence and insults, following illegal…
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Review of Cult X by Fuminori Nakamura
Fact-checking errors in this book: The lecturer claims trillions of humans have died since the beginning of time. It’s actually around 117 billion.The lecturer claims your body’s matter is 100% replaced through natural processes every year. It’s actually 5-7 years.The lecturer says there are tens of millions of neurons in…
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Review of Reconciliation by Naoya Shiga
A quiet and simple story in the best I-novel tradition. Shiga pioneered this style and joined the ranks of Soseki and others in giving slice of life and autobiographical fiction a place in Japanese literature. His book A Dark Night’s Passing is considered by some the first I-novel. Like his…
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Review of Maison Ikkoku Collector’s Edition, Vol. 1 by Rumiko Takahashi
This adorable sitcomic comedy by the inimitable Rumiko made for diverting reading. I will be continuing with the series. While lacking in supernatural elements, I was at once taken by the cozy atmosphere. Most of the scenes take place in the eccentrically populated titular rooming house, where the quintessential collegial…
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Review of The End of August by Yū Miri
Does in 700 pages what can be done in 120 pages. Ceaseless repetition, much of which is in Korean. Songs and prayers and onomatopoeia constantly invoked. The rhythm reminded me of Ducks, Newburyport, which I hated. -5 stars for abusing the reader’s time and patience. +2 stars for strong descriptions…
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Review of Diary of a Void by Emi Yagi
Japanese Slice of Life Versus American Literary Fiction. Slice of Life: mundane day to day events occur regularly. Characters go to work, commute, go shopping, etc. They interact with others in quirky and amusing ways. Characters make decisions, but the consequences are not usually earth-shattering. Readers have the chance to…
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Review of People from My Neighborhood by Hiromi Kawakami
Hiromi Kawakami collects here a dreamlike conglomeration of semi-related characters and events from her part of town, if the title and interior clues are to be believed. The random nature of the images and events lend the collection an experimental feel. The writing is smooth and simple and unadorned. Her…
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Review of MONKEY: New Writing From Japan (Volume 1) by Motoyuki Shibata
I have been a hug fan of this publication, having completing the original run of Monkey Business, so I was delighted to find this resurrected imprint. Nearly every issue contains writing or interviews available nowhere else featuring Haruki Murakami, Hiromi Kawakami, Mieko Kawakami, and Hideo Furukawa. If that isn’t enough…
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Review of Life Ceremony: Stories by Sayaka Murata
Murata portrays a skewed world, often in the form of a soft, mild-mannered dystopia, where one key component of life is unquestionably different from our own. This creates a massive paradigm shift, accompanied by harrowing cognitive dissonance. This brand of edgy speculative fiction is simply another form of wry satire,…
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Review of The Hole by Hiroko Oyamada
This book is a prime example of the commercial bent of recent Japanese translations. It is a case study in how to underestimate your readers. It is a case study in how to underestimate your readers. It was well-marketed to adults by a very reputable publisher. Of course it is…
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Review of Eight Dogs, or “hakkenden”: An Ill-Considered Jest, Being the First 14 Chapters of Nansao Satomi Hakkenden by Bakin Takizawa
“The Hakkenden” is the nickname for the longer titles by which this monumental novel has been known since it appeared in Japan in serial form. Bakin was one of the most prolific authors of all time, and wrote historical novels in a variety of styles. His work might be superficially…
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Review of A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
This book is a synthesis of subtle magical realism, well-rounded characters, and straightforward storytelling. I love learning about Japanese history and culture and this novel reminded me of that love. Ozeki provides snide commentary, learned context, surprising twists, humor and pathos. It contains ample literary chops and old-fashioned family drama…
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Review of The Easy Life in Kamusari (Forest, #1) by Shion Miura
The Easy Life in Kamusari is an easy read. It is compulsively readable, and I loved it. It is one of the most pleasant novels I have read in my life. It is not as humorous as Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods, but it is frequently chuckle-inducing. Read…
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Review of The Penguin Book of Japanese Short Stories
Since I’ve read every word Haruki Murakami has published in English I felt obligated to read his introduction once it showed up in the preview on Amazon. People saying “Haruki Murakami is my favorite author” has now become a cliche. But cliches can sometimes be true. His introduction was nice…
L. S. Popovich 