Kitchen

By: Banana Yoshimoto

Narrated by: Emily Zeller

With the publication of Kitchen, the dazzling English-language debut that is still her best-loved book, the literary world realized that Yoshimoto was a young writer of enduring talent whose work has quickly earned a place among the best of contemporary Japanese literature. Kitchen is an enchantingly original book that juxtaposes two tales about mothers, love, tragedy, and the power of the kitchen and home in the lives of a pair of free-spirited young women in contemporary Japan. Mikage, the heroine, is an orphan raised by her grandmother, who has passed away. Grieving, Mikage is taken in by her friend, Yoichi, and his mother (who is really his cross-dressing father), Eriko. As the three of them form an improvised family that soon weathers its own tragic losses, Yoshimoto spins a lovely, evocative tale with the kitchen and the comforts of home at its heart.

In a whimsical style that recalls the early Marguerite Duras, Kitchen and its companion story, Moonlight Shadow, are elegant tales whose seeming simplicity is the ruse of a very special writer whose voice echoes in the mind and the soul.

©1988 Banana Yoshimoto. English translation Fukutake Publishing Co., Ltd., through the Japan Foreign-Rights Centre. Translation 1993 by Megan Backus. (P)2015 Audible Inc.

Amazing book on grief

The overall story is enticing, and heartfelt. It was kind slow at first but picks up very quick. Shocking and revealing of human grief and life beyond it.

Not worth a credit

Note: its 2 independent stories!
I liked the topic, the stories and characters, but somehow I found the writing a bit superficial and fast, lacking depth.
The performance is ok, but didn’t love it. It still feels weird to me to hear a japanese story in such strong American accent.

love

my favorite book that I read almost 26 years ago and still love it to this day

Beautiful and touching

Although it took me a while to get past the robotic narration at first, I grew used to it and immediately fell in love with the story and the characters. Having lost a loved one months ago, I wished I had found this book sooner. It truly felt like a long needed hug. Highly recommend.

Two Stories

I didn’t realize this when I bought it, but this version includes 2 separate stories. Both were about love and loss, although of a different nature. I enjoyed both books; the writing was concise yet tells a complete story.