A dream-like, emotionally charged tale by a bold new voice in Japanese fiction
Maki Kashimada Books
This author delves into the depths of the human psyche and the complexities of interpersonal relationships. Their works are known for their insightful exploration of character motivations and a precise linguistic style. With a keen eye for detail and an understanding of human nature, they craft narratives that resonate with readers on both an emotional and intellectual level. Their writing serves as an invitation to contemplate one's own existence and the world around us.
WINNER OF THE MISHIMA YUKIO PRIZEAn ordinary housewife finds herself haunted by visions of a mushroom cloud and abruptly leaves her husband and son to travel alone to the city of Nagasaki, where she soon begins an affair with a young half-Russian, half-Japanese man.Inspired by Marguerite Duras’s screenplay for Hiroshima, Mon Amour, this novel is a further demonstration of Kashimada’s distinctive literary style and technique and her commitment to plumbing the depths of her characters’ psychology. Dealing with the travails and traumas of history, with gendered identity, with the tension between private and public selves, Love at Six Thousand Degrees is a distinctive and intriguing novel by one of Japan’s most unique contemporary authors.
Touring the Land of the Dead (and Ninety-Nine Kisses)
- 144 pages
- 6 hours of reading
The narrative explores Natsuko's life, shaped by her husband Taichi's illness and their financial struggles. Her past, marked by her mother's obsession with former wealth, contrasts sharply with her present reality. A visit to a once-luxurious hotel sparks reflections on family history and the burdens of nostalgia. This overnight trip becomes a transformative experience, connecting her to deeper themes of life and death. Additionally, the book features a short story, "Ninety-Nine Kisses," highlighting the lives of four unmarried sisters in modern Tokyo, echoing classic literary themes.