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.

Meh

I listened to the entire novel but I do not know what happened in the end! Something about the narrator’s voice—monotone?—just kept pulling me to sleep .

love

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

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.

beautiful story, could have been twice as long

very easy reading, genuinely interesting characters, I was surprised at how quick it was over.

Really quick read.

It was a really quick read. Didn't beat around the bush or have a slow start. It went straight to the warmth and love you receive after a death in the family and also how they dealt with loss. In both stories the protagonist slowly found their own way of dealing with death. It makes you feel somewhat relieved yet hopefully knowing that everyone goes through it differently. Loved this book!

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.

Definitely see why it was a hit~

A very quick read and exceptionally enjoyable. The original Kitchen story is definitely one of my favorites now. While death and loss are heavy themes, found family and acceptance are also prominent themes. I love the characterization of all 3 main characters. While I would’ve loved for a more concrete ending to Mikage’s story, the vague one isn’t lacking and magical in its own way. The “sequel” which plays right after, Moonlight Shadow, doesn’t have the same weight for me as Kitchen, but it is still a nice listen—mainly for Hiiragi.

First Time is the Charm

I've been interested in Banana Yoshimoto for a long time, but had mostly read male Japanese authors. I bought this a while ago and finally listened to it on my Summer Reading Around the World. The Japanese are known for novellas and short stories and this is 2 stories in 1 volume. There was a lot of loss and more beauty. There was humor and perfect descriptions. It's fairly typical of Japanese literature to combine disparate elements. I definitely will be putting more of her books on my wish list. I just wish I hadn't waited so long.

note: this is 2 stories (and there’s nothing wrong with that)

this is 2 stories, and there’s nothing wrong with that. there’s no reason why we should think that 1 story is better than two. it would have been ok even had it been 5 stories. or even more than that (like a collection of short stories), because Banana Yoshimoto’s writing is beautiful, and authentic, and there’s nothing else like it in the world. it’s definitely worth a credit. 2 credits even. maybe even more than that. it’s really that good.

A wonderful listen.

I’ve read Kitchen before so it’s nice to experience it again in audio-book format. One of my favorite books, and it’s done justice here.