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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Kitchen juxtaposes two tales about mothers, transsexuality, bereavement, kitchens, love and tragedy in contemporary Japan. It is a startlingly original first work by Japan's brightest young literary star and is now a cult film.
When Kitchen was first published in Japan in 1987 it won two of Japan's most prestigious literary prizes, climbed its way to the top of the bestseller lists, then remained there for over a year and sold millions of copies. Banana Yoshimoto was hailed as a young writer of great talent and great passion whose work has quickly earned a place among the best of modern literature, and has been described as 'the voice of young Japan' by the Independent on Sunday.
About the Author
Banana Yoshimoto was born in 1964. She is the author of Kitchen, N.P., Lizard, Amrita, Asleep and Goodbye Tsugumi. Her writing has won numerous prizes around the world.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is one of the most famous Japanese postmodern novels. The main plot about a modern young woman struggling with grief and trying to find love is very touching and delicately handled really. A female protagonist obsessed with kitchens sounds potentially annoying, but she is actually quite likeable, and it is obvious a lot of Yoshimoto's personal experiences and affections have gone into her character. The plot follows Mikage's attempts to reconstruct her life after it was shattered by the death of the last member of her family.
It is interesting and unique, introducing many daring and ununsual themes, such as obsession, bereavement, motherhood and transsexualism. The novel does not go into much depth in its discussions of these themes, mostly relying on a certain ineffable something to convey its message. The characters' personality deformities are treated as natural and even endearing, and the often bizarre nature of the themes is accepted as an inevitable part of life.
There is nothing really deep about this novel. One feels concern and affection for the fates of the characters, and an interest in the themes of the novel. However, it is very short - I read it in one sitting. I believe there could have been room to discuss in depth some of the interesting issues that Yoshimoto raises here, but I suppose that was neither her intention nor desire. Perhaps she wishes to say that it is pointless worrying about such things, that one should just accept them and carry on with life, because otherwise something wonderful might be missed in the present or just around the corner.
It is interesting and unique, introducing many daring and ununsual themes, such as obsession, bereavement, motherhood and transsexualism. The novel does not go into much depth in its discussions of these themes, mostly relying on a certain ineffable something to convey its message. The characters' personality deformities are treated as natural and even endearing, and the often bizarre nature of the themes is accepted as an inevitable part of life.
There is nothing really deep about this novel. One feels concern and affection for the fates of the characters, and an interest in the themes of the novel. However, it is very short - I read it in one sitting. I believe there could have been room to discuss in depth some of the interesting issues that Yoshimoto raises here, but I suppose that was neither her intention nor desire. Perhaps she wishes to say that it is pointless worrying about such things, that one should just accept them and carry on with life, because otherwise something wonderful might be missed in the present or just around the corner.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the first book that I read of Yoshimoto's work. This piece was really different from the type of books that I usually read but I was pleasantly surprised. The theme of this book is quite an unusual one of our main character's struggle to come to terms with the death of the last member of family that she has. Felling utterly alone, Mikage comes to live with a friend and his transsexual mother and we learn of each of their stories. Mikage finds comfort in one of the most mundane things in our lives, the kitchen. Here she finds the time to heal and come to terms with the great loss that she feels. Yoshimoto uses simple imagery to portray complex ideas which makes it a refreshing and enjoyable read. Her style of writing also draws you into the world of the characters. Although this book does not go into much depth outside of the ideas of loss and mourning, this being my only criticism, I would recommend this book.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Banana Yoshimoto's sparse style of prose evokes a serene sense of repose. It's protagonist, Mikage, is so endearing that one feels that they are reading the intimacies of a close friend. The recently bereaved Mikage finds comfort in Yuichi. Mikage's mourning is averted when Yuichi suffers his own loss. The pain of their mutual bereavement brings the couple together. Mikage and Yuichi find solace in one another, and their touching relationship is both uplifting and inspirational. Kitchen is a novel that is cast with shadows, but is tinged with rays of hope.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great read
This was my first book by Yoshimoto Banana, but I will definitely read more.
Very interesting story and good translation.
Very interesting story and good translation.
Published 5 months ago by bookreader
Brilliant
A brilliant little book. Both stories are a lovely read and the author is a great writer. Recommend it wholly.
Published 9 months ago by ilovereading
Beautiful
A lovely heartwarming book - beautifully written.
Food for thought.
Made me want to eat chicken noodle soup! Read more
Food for thought.
Made me want to eat chicken noodle soup! Read more
Published 11 months ago by Noo Noo
A Short But Emotion-packed Journey
This book is two stories, Kitchen and Moonlight Shadow, following young people who are greiving for loved ones. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Black Orchid
Two sensitively drawn portraits of bereavement and lost love, but let...
Kitchen is a collection of two stories, and was the first translated publication to introduce Banana Yoshimoto, a Japanese literary star, to English readers. Read more
Published 17 months ago by R. G. White
Meh! I give it 2 and a half out of 5!
I cannot even begin to understand why this 'Novel' (it isn't really a novel, more a novella) has been critically acclaimed. There is just nothing particuarly speical about it. Read more
Published on 18 Jan 2010 by L
Kitchen - Banana Yoshimoto
Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto was always going to find its way into my life somehow. Im a fan of Haruki Murakami, and after reading a sparkling review of Kitchen, i decided to give... Read more
Published on 26 July 2008 by reedydeluxe
Wow
It's one of those rare gems. I have searched high and low and have never found a better read.
Published on 7 Feb 2008 by Jake Turner
Good and promising prose but unemotional
It is true that Yoshimoto expresses a well structured, easy going and promising prose in this book but I personally found her writing rather cold and lacking in empathy. Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2008 by F. S. Andrea
Wonderful
I came across Banana Yoshimoto quite by accident, and what a happy accident it was. She is a modern Japanese writer who is both accessible to Western readers and yet resolutely... Read more
Published on 27 Oct 2007 by Mrs. K. A. Wheatley
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