Mina's Matchbox (ミーナの行進, Mi-na no Kōshin, "Mina's March") is a novel by Yōko Ogawa. It was originally serialized in Yomiuri Shimbun in 2005 before being published as a novel in 2006 by Chuokoron-Shinsha, after which it won the 42nd Tanizaki Prize.[1][2] In 2024, an English translation of the novel by Stephen B. Snyder was released.[3]
 | |
| Author | Yoko Ogawa |
|---|---|
| Original title | ミーナの行進 (Mina's March) |
| Translator | Stephen B. Snyder |
| Language | Japanese |
| Genre | Literary fiction |
| Publisher | Chuokoron Shinsha (Japanese), Pantheon Books (English) |
Publication date | 2006 (Japanese), 2024 (English) |
| Publication place | Japan |
Published in English | August 13, 2024 |
| Pages | 348 (Chuokoron Shinsha) 288 (Pantheon Books) |
| Awards | Tanizaki Prize |
| ISBN | 978-0593316085 |
| Preceded by | 博士の愛した数式 (The Housekeeper and the Professor) |
| Followed by | 寡黙な死骸みだらな弔い (Revenge: Eleven Dark Tales) |
Synopsis
editThe novel, set in 1972, follows a twelve-year-old girl named Tomoko who leaves Tokyo to stay with her aunt in Ashiya. There, she lives in a large, pristine mansion with her aunt, uncle, and great-aunt, who's German. She also meets her cousin, Mina, whom she befriends and gets closer to.[1]
The novel briefly touches upon certain events of the time, such as Yasunari Kawabata's suicide and the Munich Olympic Massacre.
Critical reception
editJapanese
editThe novel was awarded the forty-second Tanizaki Prize. Hisashi Inoue wrote that the story felt disjointed but was nonetheless refreshing through Ogawa's depiction of life in Ashiya.[4]
English
editIn a starred review, Kirkus Reviews called Ogawa's take on bildungsroman "charming" with "reflective poignancy."[5] Also in a starred review, Publishers Weekly wrote that "Ogawa pulls off the rare feat of making childhood memories both credible and provocative. Readers will be hypnotized."[6]
The New York Times wrote that the novel continued, in "effervescent prose", Ogawa's enduring interest in memory manifested also in her previously translated novels, The Memory Police and The Housekeeper and the Professor.[3] The Asian Review of Books found it a "truly beautiful coming-of-age novel written from a mature adult's perspective."[7] Similarly, The New Yorker called it a "beguiling coming-of-age".[8] World Literature Today noted its "precious, tender prose".[9]
The Star Tribune lauded Snyder's sensitivity in translation, particularly in the scene where the characters of Tomoko's name are explicated to her grand-aunt.[10] The Financial Times noted that "In Stephen Snyder's elegant translation, the tone is whimsical but never syrupy."[11]
Several publications, like Time Magazine, placed the novel on their lists of must-reads and best books.[12][13][14][15][16] The New York Times included it on their weekly Editor's Choice.[17]
References
edit- ^ a b Ogawa, Yōko (August 13, 2024). Mina's Matchbox. Translated by Snyder, Stephen B. Pantheon Books. ISBN 978-0593316085.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ "単行本 好評発売中". 中央公論新社. Archived from the original on June 27, 2006. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
- ^ a b O'Grady, Megan (August 10, 2024). "When All You Have Left Are Memories, Plus a Hippopotamus". The New York Times.
- ^ "『ミーナの行進』(中央公論新社) - 著者：小川 洋子 - 井上 ひさしによる選評". 好きな書評家、読ませる書評。ALL REVIEWS (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-10-27.
- ^ MINA'S MATCHBOX | Kirkus Reviews.
- ^ "Mina's Matchbox by Yoko Ogawa". www.publishersweekly.com. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
- ^ Fincher, Alison (2024-09-17). ""Mina's Matchbox" by Yoko Ogawa". Retrieved 2024-10-27.
- ^ Yorker, The New (2024-09-23). "Briefly Noted Book Reviews". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
- ^ "Mina's Matchbox: A Novel by Yoko Ogawa". World Literature Today. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
- ^ Oldweiler, Cory (2024-08-14). "'The Memory Police' author and Booker Prize nominee Yoko Ogawa is back with 'Mina's Matchbox'". www.startribune.com. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
- ^ House, Christian (September 2, 2024). "Mina's Matchbox — the precarious wonder of growing up". Financial Times. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
- ^ Carlin, Shannon (2024-07-31). "The Best New Books to Read in August 2024". TIME. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
- ^ "Six Books to Read this Summer". artreview.com. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
- ^ "Flip through the Monitor's 10 best books of August 2024". Christian Science Monitor. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
- ^ Carlin, Shannon (2024-05-22). "25 Books You Need to Read This Summer". TIME. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
- ^ Meakem, Chloe Hadavas, Allison (2024-10-28). "The Novels We're Reading in October". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "7 New Books We Recommend This Week". The New York Times. September 19, 2024.