Book Junky. Japanese/English Translator. Writer.
Growing up I loved reading myths. Greeks were my favourite – still are. Wanting to revisit the Japanese myths of my youth, of fantastical creatures and cursed spirits, I recently read the Pantheon Collection of Japanese Tales. Imagine my surprise when I encountered sexually depraved monks taking advantage of sleeping princesses, potty-mothed samurais, and a... Continue Reading →
Originally written in 1937 during pre-war Japan, this is a simple story of a 15 year old boy, Jun’ichi. All schools, no matter time, place or status, are a microcosm of social and ethical problems; this is another iteration of the awkward navigation through middle school. What makes the story special, however, are the occasional... Continue Reading →
Of Ogawa’s vast scope of work, I had read The Housekeeper and The Professor, which remains one of my favourite books; I read Ogawa’s interview with the famed mathematician, Masahiro Fujiwara, whom she met as part of her research for her novel; I read The Memory Police, which was as equally delicate as the first... Continue Reading →
This is my first book by the author. His previous novel A Man was hugely successful in Japan and has since been made into a movie and translated into English. After reading At The End Of The Matinee, which is his second book to be translated to English, I thought the same thing – it... Continue Reading →
It was rather – a difficult read. In that I am not sure I understood all of the existential arguments. Written in 1962, it has elements of Kafka where Abe replaces the infinite office corridors with grains of sand. Defined as sediment of certain measurements (ie: if it’s too big, it’s a pebble, too small... Continue Reading →
「世にも美しい数学入門」 Currently not translated into English, this is an interview style conversation between novelist Ogawa and the celebrated Japanese mathematician, Masahiko Fujiwara. The two unlikely pair came together for Ogawa’s research for her novel “The Housekeeper and the Professor.” As per its title translated literally, “A primer into the most beautiful mathematics,” the discourse includes... Continue Reading →
This was my second novel by author Yoko Ogawa, and my first impression remains; there is a quiet elegance in acceptance. As with “The Housekeeper and the Professor,” Ogawa challenges the notation of memory – how much ‘self’ remains despite the loss of personal history, loss of sentiment attached to an object. The writing is... Continue Reading →
"The Housekeeper and the Professor" is a story of love, in all forms of its iteration. The love of mathematics and the beauty that lies in the wonder of numbers. The love of baseball, its sweat and tears. The love between a mother and son. The uninvited love between a wife and her husband’s brother.... Continue Reading →
JohannaAirth 