Becca Reviews: Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto

Now a rating of only 3 stars does feel unfair for this novella but having really thought about it, it's all I can give. I think what this story DOES it does well but I feel a lot is missing - perhaps that's my unfamiliarity with novella's showing?

I initially took this book out of the library because I searched for novels with a focus on East Asian food (I get something in my head and stick with it okay).

I certainly enjoyed the characters, all from different walks of life, with different desires and problems but I wanted more from them. I felt potential depth rather than realised depth. Furthermore, considering this book was suggested to me based on it's inclusion of food and recipes, that was also lacking. There were some dishes mentioned and the importance of food and cooking was evident but, again, I wanted more. There was a soup dish towards the end which the protagonist, Mikage, enjoys so much she orders another and journeys in the cold to deliver it to her friend. The combination of the description of the warm soup, the various flavours, and the contrast of the cold weather outside did draw my attention and hold it but perhaps too little too late?

The theme of grief is explored well and feels relatable, however I expected insights into specific cultural attitudes towards death and did not find that. Yoshimoto's means of 'exploring' a theme seems to equate more to the raw, often unexplained, feelings of a character as opposed to description, which can be marmite for some people (luckily I love marmite). A conceit I always enjoy is that of chosen family. This is often seen in LGBTQIA+ novels, novels about loss and abandonment, plus many coming of age stories. Kitchen did tick this box, with the believable relationship of Mikage and Yoichi. Believable specifically because of the bonding over shared loss, awkwardness, things left unsaid, and messy bits!

The portrayal of the transgender character is poor and would likely offend (rightly so), and this acts as a stark reminder of the original publication date of 1988. The character is loved and portrayed in a positive light but Yoshimoto certainly lacks terminology or awareness, through lack of knowledge or otherwise I don't know.

Overall I wasn't drawn in and had to, unfortunately, really force myself to finish this story. I'll stick with my 3 star rating because I felt like I was watching them eat through that window rather than having a seat at the table. Ironically, after saying I want more from this text, I still would recommend it because it is worth a read for the short length of the novella. So, petition to recreate this as a full length novel? Or at least a do-over of the translation.

Read: 16/07/2024

Published: 1988

ISBN: 978-0571342723

Price: £8.85 (GBP)