Kitchen discussion

1. Did you enjoy the book? Why, or why not?

I enjoyed Kitchen, it gave me a brief insight into another culture, how they dealt with death and at the same time provided a sense of hope.

I enjoyed Kitchen because it provided an insight into modern Japan, and showed parallels with Western culture. I like how even though the characters are from a different culture, we can still understand them and relate to them.

((UR WELC PAMCAKE))

Ellen wrote: "I enjoyed Kitchen because it provided an insight into modern Japan, and showed parallels with Western culture. I like how even though the characters are from a different culture, we can still under..."

Yeah I think that's an important aspect of the novel. The way she is able to show parallels with western culture allows us to relate and connect with the characters more. This is probably an influencing factor in her success.

(HAHA THANKS MELLEN)

I didn't enjoy it at all. That may be partly the fault of the translator (or maybe not). It was also because it felt contemporary but was actually written nearly 30 years ago, when attitudes and language were very different. I hadn't noticed its age when I started, but even when I did, it felt contradictory.

I've given more detail in my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Ellen wrote: "I enjoyed Kitchen because it provided an insight into modern Japan..."

Thirty years ago is "modern"?

Cecily wrote: "I didn't enjoy it at all. That may be partly the fault of the translator (or maybe not). It was also because it felt contemporary but was actually written nearly 30 years ago, when attitudes and la..."

Yeah, the translation could be the cause for your dislike. I too found it was awkward in places ("I went back and sat on the sofa, and out came hot tea"...???) but I understand that it is also a translated novel and find that I can look past the not-so-perfect writing. For me the themes are more important in this case and the general feeling the book gives. I do understand where you are coming from on the transgender issues but at the same time, I also think there are positives to be found in the way Yoshimoto discusses it. She seems to approach it in a "this is normal" way. This also adds to the magical realism of the novel, a style I'm particularly fond of.

Cecily wrote: "Ellen wrote: "I enjoyed Kitchen because it provided an insight into modern Japan..."

Thirty years ago is "modern"?"

I think that 30 years ago is generally considered modern? but i guess it depends on the context.

A generation is usually considered to be 25 years (partly for the easy maths of four per century), and something more than a generation ago doesn't strike me as "modern". But that's just my opinion.

Cecily wrote: "Ellen wrote: "I enjoyed Kitchen because it provided an insight into modern Japan..."

Thirty years ago is "modern"?"

Strikes me as modern enough. 30 years ago means it was written around mid-eighties. Def modern times, IMO.
(We did already have Computers back then :D)