I have read and posted on several works by Yoko Ogawa (Japan, 1962) including Hotel Iris and The House Keeper and the Professor, her most famous work. I have also read two collections of her interrelated short stories. A couple of years ago I acquired a decent collection of 21st century Japanese short stories, including "The Sea" by Yoko Ogawa.
Last January I participated in January in Japan, an event hosted by Tony's Reading List. I was glad to see it is being done for a second year. The first featured writer was Yoko Ogawa. "The Sea" centers on a couple who intend to marry on a visit to the woman's parents. He intends to ask her parents permission to marry their daughter. This is not a dramatic action filled story. It is a story with deeply subtle reflections of the relationships in the family. In addition to the parents there is a very elderly dysfunctional grandmother, a twenty one year old son who the fiancé refers to as her baby brother. During the evening meal, the grandmother asks when will the daughter and her fiancé be coming home, with them right at the table. The brother sits next to the grandmother in silence and looks out for her.
At night the boyfriend and the brother will share the brother's bedroom. We see them kind of straining to figure out something to talk about. The intrigue or mystery in the story centers on a strange musical instrument the brother has fashioned out of a fish bladder that can only be played next to the sea.
"The Sea" is an interesting insightful story. I am glad I read it.
Here is the link to January in Japan -
Mel u
I have so enjoyed Ogawa's writing. Thanks for sharing about this short story; the cover of the collection alone looks intriguing! Isn't it wonderful how Tony emphasizes a certain author? What a great idea.
ReplyDelete