by Hiromi Kawakami, translated by Allison Markin Powell
Europa Editions ebook 2019, originally published 2003
240 pages
source: purchased (kindle daily deal)
Publisher's summary:
Best-selling and beloved Japanese author Hiromi Kawakami (The Nakano Thrift Shop) tells the story of an enigmatic man through the voices of ten remarkable women who have loved him.
Each woman has succumbed, even if only for an hour, to that seductive, imprudent, and furtively feline man who drifted so naturally into their lives. Still clinging to the vivid memory of his warm breath and his indecipherable sentences, ten women tell their stories as they attempt to recreate the image of the unfathomable Nishino.
Like a modern Decameron, this humorous, sensual, and touching novel by one of Japan’s best-selling and most beloved writers is a powerful and embracing portrait of the human comedy in ten voices. Driven by desires that are at once unique and common, the women in this book are modern, familiar to us, and still mysterious. A little like Nishino himself.
My thoughts:
Unfortunately, my favorite thing about The Ten Loves if Nishino was the cover and, if I'm completely honest, that's what attracted me to the book in the first place.
This is a collection of short stories, each highlighting a woman and her relationship, whether brief or longer term, with Nishino. From the stories, the reader is meant to piece together a portrait of the man... a prospect which sounded intriguing.
The writing/translation was fine, the stories were interesting enough, but the overall effect somehow fell short. They just didn't add up to much - at least for me. I doubt I'll remember much about this book in a week or two.
I own another novel by the author, The Nakano Thrift Shop (also courtesy of a daily deal), and still plan to read it. If you're curious about this one, go ahead and give it a try - it's short.
My rating:
It is a gorgeous cover. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you, though. I wonder if The Nakano Thrift Shop is any better.
ReplyDeleteLes - So do I, but since it's another short book I'll give it a shot. Stay tuned!
DeleteOh dear. I liked the cover and I like the title and I like the idea of the book. But if you didn't like it, it will be a pass.
ReplyDeleteDeb - It was perfectly fine reading, but not one I'd recommend.
DeleteOh too bad JoAnn, I love that cover as well. I have several Europa Editions that I need to catch up on.
ReplyDeleteDiane - I tend to like Europa Editions, but this just missed the mark for me. We'll see how The Nakano Thrift Shop goes...
DeleteVicki - I won't try to change your mind about skipping it! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI do love the cover but I don't think this one would be a hit for me either.
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I'm guessing this wouldn't be a good fit for you either.
DeleteThat's a really interesting concept - too bad it didn't work out!
ReplyDeleteAngela - I thought the premise sounded really interesting, too...
DeleteI'm in love with that book cover too, and would give the book a try. Many Japanese novels are so sublte with their messages, I have to give it a hard think, especially if I'm in the mood for my favorite psych thrillers! Happy reading week.
ReplyDeleteHarvee - I was wondering about subtle cultural differences coming into play, too. I'm still curious about The Nakano Thrift Shop and plan to read it within the next few months.
DeleteSame here. My final VERDICT was: A bit disappointing. It felt too much like a collection of short stories not delving deep enough into the characters.
ReplyDeletehttps://wordsandpeace.com/2020/02/27/book-review-the-ten-loves-of-nishino/
I'm curious to know what you think of The Nakano Thrift Shop
Emma - Same here... it was fine as a collection of stories but just didn't add up to much more for me. We'' see how The Nakano Thrift Shop goes.
DeleteSo the man's wonderfulness didn't warrant the 10 women who loved him? It seems that would be a bit hard to show. I'm getting into Japanese Lit a bit but will pass up this one.
ReplyDeleteSusan - It certainly didn't seem like it should to me. I'll try another book by this author, but Japanese Lit may not be for me...
DeleteA lot of work for the reader, to find the man in the ten stories by ten different women!
ReplyDeleteHarvee - Very true and, unfortunately, not worth it for me. (Sorry it took so long for me to approve your comment. I've been away from the blog this week.)
Delete