Prize Readers discussion

The Emissary by Yoko Tawada, Translated by Margaret Mitsutani

I enjoyed this book! I happened upon it at 57th St Books in Chicago and thought it looked quirky and interesting—and it was. I suggested it for the 2019 Rooster too.

An absolutely quirky book--it took me a bit to get into the world of it, and I think it merits a second go-through so I'm not wasting valuable concentration on the world and can focus on the narrative.

judy-b. wrote: "I enjoyed this book! I happened upon it at 57th St Books in Chicago and thought it looked quirky and interesting—and it was. I suggested it for the 2019 Rooster too."

I love that bookstore :)

I am currently reading The Emissary and I am really enjoying.

I am not sure if I will finish before the NBA announcements so the hard decision will once again be what is my favorite of the translated short list!

We're discussing it in the Newest Literary Fiction group for our November read. So far, most of the discussion is around getting a hold of a copy, but the most recent posts are starting to talk about the book itself.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Finally read this. Definitely very interesting. I actually ended up reading this memoir immediately following it, and they were a perfect pairing. In Small Animals, the focus is about hyperparenting, and not allowing children any risk, and it paralleled the fragile child world in The Emissary so well and helped me process it even more.

Karin wrote: "Finally read this. Definitely very interesting. I actually ended up reading this memoir immediately following it, and they were a p..."

What an interesting follow up. How did you find that book?

Bob, it was pretty depressing! not having children myself currently, I was not aware of the extent of the helicopter parenting trend-- the idea that children should constantly be under watch of an adult. not like, in the same house but different rooms, but visually monitored. blurring the lines of individuality. it makes childhood, and parenthood, sound pretty unappealing. the book as written, I wish the author had spent more time examining privilege, she touches on it a bit. it gave me a lot to think about.