(while the artist in me likes formal experimentation, the sleepy reader in me likes chapter breaks) - such a quotable line. Hope you do send out a few mails re the Kathmandu stories. There would be a ready market in the UK and it is still frustrating trying to access Asian writing here. You wait years for a translation to come through then are faced with a task finding the newer writing. My writing group has just discovered Italo Calvino. Oh, I've started on Japan Lights, so thank you in advance.
I finished Japan Lights, so first thank you again. It was nice to spend time with you and Minori, James and Stephen. Books are like nice meals; they take an age to prepare and get on the table, then they are wolfed down and gone, a lingering taste. I was doing a curious experiment as I was reading Marion Poschmann's The Pine Trees (2023) simultaneously - one in hard copy, one on Borrowbox - lots of talk of Basho and Matsushima Bay. The Pine Trees (translated from the German by Jen Calleja) gave a useful update on the post-tsunami situation. Her character finds the Bay full of cranes and concrete and an island completely gone missing. So coming back to The Japan Lights was always relaxing, a great road trip a la Alan Booth. And a great achievement to make a readable book out of quick trips to lighthouses, closed or open, heritaged with souvenirs or forgotten little out-of-the-way corners. Where's my rucksack? I'm so ready to go.
Yes, layers on layers, Japan via a (modern) German lens then translated into English. Jen Calleja and Polly Barton are in conversation at the first Translated By Bristol festival next month, instant sell-out. I am hoping next year they will do some on-line sessions as well.
(while the artist in me likes formal experimentation, the sleepy reader in me likes chapter breaks) - such a quotable line. Hope you do send out a few mails re the Kathmandu stories. There would be a ready market in the UK and it is still frustrating trying to access Asian writing here. You wait years for a translation to come through then are faced with a task finding the newer writing. My writing group has just discovered Italo Calvino. Oh, I've started on Japan Lights, so thank you in advance.
I finished Japan Lights, so first thank you again. It was nice to spend time with you and Minori, James and Stephen. Books are like nice meals; they take an age to prepare and get on the table, then they are wolfed down and gone, a lingering taste. I was doing a curious experiment as I was reading Marion Poschmann's The Pine Trees (2023) simultaneously - one in hard copy, one on Borrowbox - lots of talk of Basho and Matsushima Bay. The Pine Trees (translated from the German by Jen Calleja) gave a useful update on the post-tsunami situation. Her character finds the Bay full of cranes and concrete and an island completely gone missing. So coming back to The Japan Lights was always relaxing, a great road trip a la Alan Booth. And a great achievement to make a readable book out of quick trips to lighthouses, closed or open, heritaged with souvenirs or forgotten little out-of-the-way corners. Where's my rucksack? I'm so ready to go.
Hi Mandi, I'm really happy to hear you enjoyed The Japan Lights. I haven't read The Pine Trees but it sounds up my street, I'll check it out.
Yes, layers on layers, Japan via a (modern) German lens then translated into English. Jen Calleja and Polly Barton are in conversation at the first Translated By Bristol festival next month, instant sell-out. I am hoping next year they will do some on-line sessions as well.
Fukushima is in the air again. Will be interested to hear your thoughts on this which (see below) appears in English nearly a decade after the author's passing. This was picked up Paula Bardell-Hedley's Winding up the Week blog https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3303101/hiroshima-fukushima-yuko-tsushimas-novel-wildcat-dome-strangely-riveting