Hello! I've been really into Japanese fiction recently- I loved Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata, Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Earthlings by Sayaka Murata, The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai and most things Ruth Ozeki writes (I know she's Japanese American). As you might be able to tell I also really enjoy magical realism 🙂
I just finished Pachinko by Min Jin Lee and really enjoyed it and it has me curious about historical fiction set in Japan written by Japanese authors, since I know I really like Japanese fiction. Side note: I know Min Jin Lee is Korean-American– it was the setting of Pachinko in Japan that had me thinking about Japanese fiction.
I'm traditionally a huge historical fiction fan and always have been but I particularly love historical fiction that centers the experiences of historical women (especially when there is some basis in historical fact– I LOVE that!). Some examples are the Wolf Den series by Elodie Harper, Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, Bright I Burn by Molly Aitken, The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell, the Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave.
I'm curious if anyone has recommendations for Japanese historical fiction written that uplifts the experiences of everyday (or famous, that's fine too!) women? Bonus points if it's based on a true story, double bonus for themes of magical realism!
Thank you!!
by mhollidaydavis