I just finished A Woman of Pleasure by Kiyoko Murata, a historical fiction novel about the lives of sex workers in Japan at the beginning of the 20th century. I haven't seen much discussion on this book and wanted to share my thoughts/start a conversation.
I loved this book and found the writing style absolutely gorgeous. The story centers on a young woman who was sold to a brothel to pay her family's debts. The book details the lives of her and her fellow residents, the unique social system within the brothel, and the political/social context of sex work in Japan at the time, a topic I knew almost nothing about.
I am just a layperson and can't always articulate why writing feels the way it does. That said, the writing carries a sense of defiant dignity that echoes the attitude of the main character, who never seems to define herself by her occupation the way some of the women around her do. I read the English translation of this novel by Juliet Winters Carpenter, and I imagine that the translation does the original writing justice.
I couldn't put this book down. I wanted to follow along with the main character and understand all the various facets of her life in the brothel, how she would adapt to new situations, and how she would define her own life.
I understand that Kiyoko Murata is a celebrated author in Japan, but this is the first of her novels to be translated into English. I hope more are translated in the near future because I can't wait to read more.
I would love to hear what others think.
by movingtosouthpas