Harare Review of Books

189 pages.

First published in

Finished reading on 13 Nov 2021.

Genre: (Mixed) Anthology.

Supplied blurb: MONKEY New Writing from Japan is an annual anthology that showcases the best of contemporary Japanese literature. Volume 2 celebrates TRAVEL — we may not be able to travel much during this second year of the pandemic, but we can travel in our imaginations. MONKEY offers short fiction and poetry by writers such as Mieko Kawakami, Haruki Murakami, Hideo Furukawa, Hiromi Kawakami, Aoko Matsuda, and Kyohei Sakaguchi; new translations of modern classics; a graphic narrative by Satoshi Kitamura; and contributions from American writers such as Brian Evenson and Laird Hunt.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Stone Bridge Press for this eARC.

What a lovely, refreshing read. A mix of poetry, non-fiction and short fiction in translation, this was beautifully laid out, with wonderful illustrations. So much eye and brain candy in one volume.

Some of my favourite reads:

• Hell, by Kikuko Tsumura
• The Overcoat, a graphic story by Satoshi Kitamura
• Whale Leg, by Laird Hunt
• The Trail, by Eric McCormack (looking forward to reading the novel)
• Itō Goes On A Journey, Making a Pilgrimage to Yuda Hot Springs, by Hiromi Itō.

I especially enjoyed the remarks from translators at the end of the volume, about the words and ideas they find hard to translate into English.

Well worth a read.

Rated: 7/10.