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]
 | |
| 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) |
Synopsis
editThe 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
editJapanese
editThe 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
editKirkus 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.