Manazuru (novel)
 | |
| Author | Hiromi Kawakami |
|---|---|
| Translator | Michael Emmerich |
| Language | Japanese |
| Genre | Literary fiction |
| Publisher | Bungeishunjū (Japan) Counterpoint (English) |
Publication date | October 30, 2006 (Japanese) September 1, 2010 (English) |
| Publication place | Japan |
| Pages | 266 (Japanese) 224 (English) |
| Award | Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Prize |
| ISBN | 978-4163248608 |
| Preceded by | 古道具 中野商店 (The Nakano Thrift Shop) |
| Followed by | パスタマシーンの幽霊 (Pasta Machine Ghost) |
Manazuru (真鶴) is a 2006 novel by Hiromi Kawakami, published by Bungeishunjū. In Japan, it won the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Prize.[1] Later, in 2010, an English translation by Michael Emmerich was published by Counterpoint, marking Kawakami's first English novel translation.[2]
Synopsis
[edit]The book follows Kei, a widow whose husband, Rei, disappeared 12 years ago, leaving her behind with a daughter, Momo. Together, Kei, Momo, and Kei's mother live in Tokyo. Periodically, for years, Kei visits Manazuru, a place which makes her ambiguously reminisce about her past—memories of which she is unsure.
Critical reception
[edit]Japanese
[edit]The The Asahi Shimbun's book column noted its atmosphere of darkness, eeriness, and primordial feeling. Many readers lauded the book's emotional sensibilities, relationships, and sense of location at Manazuru's seaside.[3]
English
[edit]Kirkus Reviews, calling it a "dreamlike novel", wrote that the book was an "Evocative, original exploration of grief—more of a journey than a destination, with plot almost beside the point."[4] Publishers Weekly said "Kawakami has a remarkable ability to obscure reality, fantasy, and memory, making the desire for love feel hauntingly real."[5]
Three Perecent, an international literature site at the University of Rochester, stated Emmerich "did an amazing job translating this, capturing the oddness of the prose and punctuation in a way that's poetic, dreamlike, and fun to read."[6]
References
[edit]- ^ "『真鶴』 | 第3回選定作品 | 翻訳作品紹介 | JLPP 現代日本文学の翻訳・普及事業". www.jlpp.go.jp. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
- ^ Kawakami, Hiromi (September 1, 2010). Manazuru. Counterpoint. ISBN 978-1582436005.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ "真鶴 [著]川上弘美／母の声、川の匂い [著]川田順造 - 大上朝美 - ゼロ年代の５０冊２０００－２００９ - コラム別に読む - 書評・コラムを読む - BOOK.asahi.com：朝日新聞社の書評サイト". 2012-04-02. Archived from the original on 2012-04-02. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
- ^ MANAZURU | Kirkus Reviews.
- ^ "Manazuru by Hiromi Kawakami". www.publishersweekly.com. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
- ^ "Latest Review: "Manazuru" by Hiromi Kawakami « Three Percent". Retrieved 2024-10-31.