Do you read Japanese Novellas ❓❓ If yes, then do you find them interesting ❓❓❓
This year, I've delved into many Japanese novellas and found them remarkably captivating. The unique writing style and storytelling approach bring a fresh perspective that sets these works apart. There’s an elegance in how Japanese authors weave their narratives, often with a quiet, contemplative tone that resonates deeply. The stories feel like glimpses into other worlds, rich with cultural nuances and understated emotions, which makes the experience all the more intriguing and memorable.
Name of Book: Nails and Eyes
Author: Kaori Fujino
Publisher: Pushkin Press
Publication Date: 27 July 2023
No. of Pages: 110
Format: Edelweiss ARC
A young girl loses her mother, and her father blindly invites his secret lover into the family home to care for her. As she obsessively tries to curate a pristine life, this new interloper remains indifferent to the girl, who seems to record her every move - and she realises only too late all that she has failed to see.
With masterful narrative control, Nails and Eyes builds to a conclusion of disturbing power. Paired with two additional stories of unsettled minds and creeping tension, it introduces a daring new voice in Japanese literature.
Kaori Fujino, a lifelong resident of Kyoto, is best known for fiction that reimagines tropes from horror, science fiction, Hollywood thrillers, urban legends and fairy tales. She holds an MA in aesthetics and art theory from Doshisha University. In 2013, Fujino was awarded the Akutagawa Prize, Japan’s most prominent literary prize, for Nails and Eyes. In the fall of 2017, she was in residence at the University of Iowa’s prestigious International Writing Program. Her stories have appeared in English translation in Granta, Monkey and the US-Japan Women’s Journal.
My Opinion
Nails and Eyes by Kaori Fujino opens new horizons in exploring complex relationships and emotions. Having always loved Japanese novellas, I knew this book was a must-read the moment I spotted it on Edelweiss. Fujino weaves together three stories, each delving into different forms of emotional trauma, culminating in some genuinely brutal surprises. While the first story felt a bit slow and had an unexpected climax, the other stories were gripping and enjoyable, making for a deeply engaging experience. I would give the book 4 stars.
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