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j9tang's review against another edition
4.0
“It’s not a matter of love or hate. She’s my mother, that’s all.”
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In the first scene of The Eight Day by Mitsuyo Kakuta (trans. by Margaret Mitsutani), we’re met with a scrambling character who is stealing away a baby from her former lover. It’s not premeditated and she struggles to find what to do with the baby without getting caught. As the rest of the story unfolds, questions regarding family, motherhood, and trauma unfurl. What makes up a family and what determines motherhood? The first 3/4 of the book is written from the perspective of the main character, Kiwako. They seem almost like journal entries of what happens each day after the abduction, where instead of chapters, each section is headed with what day it is. In the last quarter of the book, the narrative switches to Kaoru’s (the child), who has now grown up and faces the trauma from her past.
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.
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There are cyclical elements to the story, recurring over and over again. The idea of cicadas who spend seven years in the ground, shed their skin, and die only seven days after they reemerge, parallels with how the characters see themselves. But instead of being the cicadas that have died on the seventh day, each of the characters are actually the cicadas who, in Kaoru’s imagination, survive until the eighth day.
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“Remember what you told me about the cicada that couldn’t die?” she said quietly. “Since they all die in seven days, you said it would be much sadder for the one that lived on for an extra day. I thought so too but now I’m not sure. Because on the eighth day, that cicada would get to see things the other hadn’t. Maybe it wouldn’t want to see them, but they probably wouldn’t all be so horrible that it’d close its eyes to shut them out.”
.
In the first scene of The Eight Day by Mitsuyo Kakuta (trans. by Margaret Mitsutani), we’re met with a scrambling character who is stealing away a baby from her former lover. It’s not premeditated and she struggles to find what to do with the baby without getting caught. As the rest of the story unfolds, questions regarding family, motherhood, and trauma unfurl. What makes up a family and what determines motherhood? The first 3/4 of the book is written from the perspective of the main character, Kiwako. They seem almost like journal entries of what happens each day after the abduction, where instead of chapters, each section is headed with what day it is. In the last quarter of the book, the narrative switches to Kaoru’s (the child), who has now grown up and faces the trauma from her past.
.
.
.
There are cyclical elements to the story, recurring over and over again. The idea of cicadas who spend seven years in the ground, shed their skin, and die only seven days after they reemerge, parallels with how the characters see themselves. But instead of being the cicadas that have died on the seventh day, each of the characters are actually the cicadas who, in Kaoru’s imagination, survive until the eighth day.
.
“Remember what you told me about the cicada that couldn’t die?” she said quietly. “Since they all die in seven days, you said it would be much sadder for the one that lived on for an extra day. I thought so too but now I’m not sure. Because on the eighth day, that cicada would get to see things the other hadn’t. Maybe it wouldn’t want to see them, but they probably wouldn’t all be so horrible that it’d close its eyes to shut them out.”
gamas_de_azul's review against another edition
5.0
No esperaba encontrarme con un libro tan bueno tan cerca de fin de año. Realmente fue toda una sorpresa.
Lo pedí prestado en la biblioteca de la Embajada japonesa, por recomendación de Marian (@lecturas_niponas) y lo terminé leyendo en un día. No solo porque lo tenía que devolver
Lo pedí prestado en la biblioteca de la Embajada japonesa, por recomendación de Marian (@lecturas_niponas) y lo terminé leyendo en un día. No solo porque lo tenía que devolver
martamarne_'s review against another edition
4.0
Una historia sobre la triste situación de las mujeres japonesas respecto a la violencia verbal de género, con una trama reposada pero no por ello menos desgarradora. Hacía tiempo que no leía literatura japonesa y quizá esto ha hecho que disfrute la novela todavía más, con esa tensión en calma que caracteriza esta cultura.
jennoctavia's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
It a story about woman who wanted to be a mother and the child who brought up by a person who kidnapped her and her real mother.
Kiwako had an affair and pregnant with a married man’s baby, the man promised to divorce his wife but he never did. After convince Kiwako to had abortion, she found out his wife was pregnant and they are going to have a baby soon. Kiwako was hurt and she kidnapped the baby after she was born and named her Kaoru. They were on a run, Kaoru grew up with her until she was four. Life for Kaoru was not easy after she returned to her parent’s home. The story continue on Kaouru life after she grew up.
The book has a really deep meaning about women, parenting and being a mother. In some society it seems so hard to be single mother (for example when Kiwako wanted to rent apartment they asked her prove of her marriage and the husband work).
I really enjoyed the book and the unique story.
It a story about woman who wanted to be a mother and the child who brought up by a person who kidnapped her and her real mother.
Kiwako had an affair and pregnant with a married man’s baby, the man promised to divorce his wife but he never did. After convince Kiwako to had abortion, she found out his wife was pregnant and they are going to have a baby soon. Kiwako was hurt and she kidnapped the baby after she was born and named her Kaoru. They were on a run, Kaoru grew up with her until she was four. Life for Kaoru was not easy after she returned to her parent’s home. The story continue on Kaouru life after she grew up.
The book has a really deep meaning about women, parenting and being a mother. In some society it seems so hard to be single mother (for example when Kiwako wanted to rent apartment they asked her prove of her marriage and the husband work).
I really enjoyed the book and the unique story.
ezzasyuhada's review against another edition
4.0
You would think that with a plot where a scorned woman kidnaps her ex's baby and then took refuge in a religious commune aka A CULT (?!!!), there would be far more things happening in the storyline that would put the plot to the Mission Impossible movies to shame but alas it was not to be and I went into this book expecting action, drama, intensity and MORE action but what I got was the complete opposite which is a slice-of-life type of book which let me tell you is definitely lacking in the action-drama department but surprisingly I kept on reading even though nothing much was happening.
The book was interesting in subtle ways, it didn't focus much on the kidnapping of the baby but instead focused on how Kiwako would raise the baby in the situation that they were in and it was the prose of the book that captivated me. The prose was simple and unassuming yet it is the main reason why I kept on reading even though half the time I was wondering where exactly is the plot going to take us and the ending of the book was realistic in a way that it was messy and a lot of things weren't answered like how it is in the real world.
Whilst reading this book I really pity the baby who was kidnapped and the young woman she grew to be. I honestly pitied her. She was raised well by the woman who kidnapped her she had a happy childhood living on an island heck even living in the cult the kid had a happy childhood only for it to be destroyed due to adults selfishness.
The book was interesting in subtle ways, it didn't focus much on the kidnapping of the baby but instead focused on how Kiwako would raise the baby in the situation that they were in and it was the prose of the book that captivated me. The prose was simple and unassuming yet it is the main reason why I kept on reading even though half the time I was wondering where exactly is the plot going to take us and the ending of the book was realistic in a way that it was messy and a lot of things weren't answered like how it is in the real world.
Whilst reading this book I really pity the baby who was kidnapped and the young woman she grew to be. I honestly pitied her. She was raised well by the woman who kidnapped her she had a happy childhood living on an island heck even living in the cult the kid had a happy childhood only for it to be destroyed due to adults selfishness.
amalia1985's review against another edition
3.0
''I left the house and turned to the alley. No shops insight. This was a strange corner of the city, a row of uninhabited houses. Shutters closed, a rusty bike lying next to a shut door. The entire neighborhood looked like a ghost town. The steel tower rising looked fake, like a missing piece of a poorly-made backdrop in an impoverished theatre.''
A young woman flees from an apartment in Tokyo, carrying a baby girl, a child that isn't hers. Is she trying to save the child? And if she is, what is the danger? What makes her accept the dubious help of a madwoman? What drives her into the arms of a suspicious pseudo-religious cult? How can she create a home for her and the girl on a remote island? How can she escape from those who are after her?
This is the story of a woman who was weak and foolish enough to destroy her life because of a man. And yet, it was impossible for me not to sympathize with her. Kakuta has created a character that sees the wrong in her actions but is unable to withdraw because of a strange and powerful mixture of love and revenge.
Her quest is a troubled journey across Japan, its traditions, its values, its cities, and sleepy villages. In beautiful prose, Kakuta takes us into the world of neighborhoods that need to follow a controversial dogma of modernization in contrast to the island communities where the residents are there to support one another. Myths of deities, ghosts and demons, beautiful festivals and fables create an extraordinary setting in a story where motherhood takes the spotlight. Kakuta stresses two important questions regarding the theme of motherhood. Is every woman capable of being a true mother to a child and do we have the right to project our own mistakes to our children? In the end, it is certain that they will pay the prize.
The construction of the novel and the prose were satisfying. Even though the main theme isn't one I am interested in, my love for Japanese Literature prompted me to read it. But for the last 100 pages, I'd say I was satisfied. Unfortunately, the last chapters managed to disappoint me. First of all, the chapters that were based on the girl's point of view were boring. Why? Because choosing to have your two main characters committing the same mistakes in an attempt to show that life moves in inevitable circles is the epitome of lazy writing. Certain parts of the plot didn't make sense and the questions were answered in an extremely neat way. Too convenient, too organized, too unrealistic. The contrast was so intense that I found myself turning the last pages too fast…
Melodrama isn't my cup of tea. It doesn't appeal to me in the slightest. I am not a sentimental person and I consider the women who sacrifice their choices and their life for the sake of a man to be devoid of personality and ideals. The moment a novel takes a turn into the soap-opera territory, I'm out. This one takes 3 stars for the beautiful writing and an interesting main character. Unfortunately, the last 20% of the novel was so bad that in the end I was left with a bitter taste in my mouth.
*Extract translated by me, taken from the Greek edition translated by Irene Papakyriakou.*
My reviews can also be found https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/
A young woman flees from an apartment in Tokyo, carrying a baby girl, a child that isn't hers. Is she trying to save the child? And if she is, what is the danger? What makes her accept the dubious help of a madwoman? What drives her into the arms of a suspicious pseudo-religious cult? How can she create a home for her and the girl on a remote island? How can she escape from those who are after her?
This is the story of a woman who was weak and foolish enough to destroy her life because of a man. And yet, it was impossible for me not to sympathize with her. Kakuta has created a character that sees the wrong in her actions but is unable to withdraw because of a strange and powerful mixture of love and revenge.
Her quest is a troubled journey across Japan, its traditions, its values, its cities, and sleepy villages. In beautiful prose, Kakuta takes us into the world of neighborhoods that need to follow a controversial dogma of modernization in contrast to the island communities where the residents are there to support one another. Myths of deities, ghosts and demons, beautiful festivals and fables create an extraordinary setting in a story where motherhood takes the spotlight. Kakuta stresses two important questions regarding the theme of motherhood. Is every woman capable of being a true mother to a child and do we have the right to project our own mistakes to our children? In the end, it is certain that they will pay the prize.
The construction of the novel and the prose were satisfying. Even though the main theme isn't one I am interested in, my love for Japanese Literature prompted me to read it. But for the last 100 pages, I'd say I was satisfied. Unfortunately, the last chapters managed to disappoint me. First of all, the chapters that were based on the girl's point of view were boring. Why? Because choosing to have your two main characters committing the same mistakes in an attempt to show that life moves in inevitable circles is the epitome of lazy writing. Certain parts of the plot didn't make sense and the questions were answered in an extremely neat way. Too convenient, too organized, too unrealistic. The contrast was so intense that I found myself turning the last pages too fast…
Melodrama isn't my cup of tea. It doesn't appeal to me in the slightest. I am not a sentimental person and I consider the women who sacrifice their choices and their life for the sake of a man to be devoid of personality and ideals. The moment a novel takes a turn into the soap-opera territory, I'm out. This one takes 3 stars for the beautiful writing and an interesting main character. Unfortunately, the last 20% of the novel was so bad that in the end I was left with a bitter taste in my mouth.
*Extract translated by me, taken from the Greek edition translated by Irene Papakyriakou.*
My reviews can also be found https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/
alaura92's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Won't see the movie
lnlabriet's review against another edition
4.0
Un roman haletant, dans le Japon des annees 80. Kiwako est enceinte de son amant, un couard qui ne se decide pas a quitter sa femme, et qui l'oblige a avorter. Quelques temps plus tard, Kimiko enleve le nouveau-ne de son ex-amant. Pendant 4 ans, Kiwako et la petite fille qu'elle a enlevee vivent dans la clandestinite, jusqu'a ce que Kiwako soit arretee, et la petite rendue a ses parents. L'histoire se poursuit, cette fois du point vue de l'enfant, devenue adulte.
Tres bien ecrit, et d'une infinie tristesse.
Tres bien ecrit, et d'une infinie tristesse.
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