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A review by thewordsdevourer
Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
kitchen is my life novel. the mood and atmosphere, brimming with light and airiness, are palpable and unlike anything i've read; the characters and their stories + struggles are painfully human; the power of the kitchen and food are indescribably comforting. this is a book that makes me glad to be alive because it means i get to read it, and when it gets hard to hold on, i'll always come back to this story for the comfort and hope it will undoubtedly provide me.
this was the first book that made me feel happy to be alive, as being so allows me to read it. The story's like a warm blanket that envelops and comforts me on a dark, chilly night where the moon shines bright, a safe cocoon that protects me from the oft harsh reality of the outside world. Even while reading it, I knew that this book is one where I would go back to again and again whenever I need courage, security, comfort, or just a friend.
The story's seeming simplicity belies its abundant wisdom, and is simultaneously understated and evocative; it's astonishing how Yoshimoto's simple, concise prose can evoke such strong emotions for the reader. Kitchen is also full of living, breathing characters--I could imagine just randomly bumping into one of them round the corner, that's how real they seem--which is an astounding feat considering the story's relatively short length. The katsudon and staring-up-at-the-sky-at-the-inn scenes have also become one of my perennial literary favorites.
The book makes the ordinary whimsical and magical, and its exploration of the themes of loss, love, the power of food, and the will to live are heartachingly timely yet comforting. Kitchen is truly a story that illustrates the power of stories and one that makes me grateful to be alive and living in the world in all its beautiful, ugly reality
this was the first book that made me feel happy to be alive, as being so allows me to read it. The story's like a warm blanket that envelops and comforts me on a dark, chilly night where the moon shines bright, a safe cocoon that protects me from the oft harsh reality of the outside world. Even while reading it, I knew that this book is one where I would go back to again and again whenever I need courage, security, comfort, or just a friend.
The story's seeming simplicity belies its abundant wisdom, and is simultaneously understated and evocative; it's astonishing how Yoshimoto's simple, concise prose can evoke such strong emotions for the reader. Kitchen is also full of living, breathing characters--I could imagine just randomly bumping into one of them round the corner, that's how real they seem--which is an astounding feat considering the story's relatively short length. The katsudon and staring-up-at-the-sky-at-the-inn scenes have also become one of my perennial literary favorites.
The book makes the ordinary whimsical and magical, and its exploration of the themes of loss, love, the power of food, and the will to live are heartachingly timely yet comforting. Kitchen is truly a story that illustrates the power of stories and one that makes me grateful to be alive and living in the world in all its beautiful, ugly reality
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, and Grief
Moderate: Stalking and Transphobia