Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - Kitchen

Bought this book in Tokyo and read it on my way to Kanazawa and back. It’s a very fast book to go through, even though it deals with so much loss it almost falls into tragicomedy.

I cannot say I appreciate the way it is narrated, but I wondered if the translation did not give it justice. Knowing Japanese yo be rather poetic, maybe the translation was not up to par.

Anyway both Kitchen and the short novella afterwards are a somewhat lighthearted tales of chosen family, star crossed lovers and blossoming wild flowers between concrete.

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syinhui's review

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Cold and gloomy. Whimsical and serene. Charming and quirky characters.

The quiet melancholy and gentle but sorrowful atmosphere of these two novellas seem to be a perfect read for cold nights or rainy afternoons. While the themes of death and loss are central in Kitchen and Moonlight Shadow, it’s also about the process of healing and finding comfort in the most mundane things. The kitchen becomes a place of solace. Good food is like a soothing balm for a tired and wounded spirit.

As someone who also has an affinity for kitchens and loves cooking, I found myself inevitably drawn to the titular story, Kitchen. I’ve always had a certain fondness for books that offer exquisite descriptions and appreciation of food and eating. While the prose is rather simplistic and I think the approach to character dynamics and relationships is sometimes a bit too shoujo-esque or slice-of-life for my tastes, some lines relating to food and the transformative power of shared meals - turning ordinary into something extraordinary and deeply touching really resonated with me.

Truly happy memories always live on, shining. Over time, one by one, they come back to life. The meals we ate together, numberless afternoons and evenings.
When was it that Yuichi said to me, "Why is it that everything I eat when I'm with you is so delicious?"

"It's amazing how good this is," I said. The tempura on rice we were eating, seated at the counter in this new little shop smelling of fresh wood, was so good it revived my appetite.
"Isn't it?" said Hiiragi.
"Yes. It's delicious. So delicious it makes me grateful I'm alive."

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