Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - Kitchen

Kitchen
Kitchen
Author: Banana Yoshimoto
When Banana Yoshimoto's Kitchen was first published in Japan in 1988, "Banana-mania" seized the country. Kitchen won two of Japan's most prestigious literary prizes, climbed its way to the top of the best-seller list, then remained there for over a year and sold millions of copies. With the appearance of the critically acclaime...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780671880187
ISBN-10: 0671880187
Publication Date: 3/1/1994
Pages: 160
Rating:
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 78

3.6 stars, based on 78 ratings
Publisher: Washington Square Press
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Kitchen on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
A young person in modern times deals with the death of her grandmother by taking up the company of another person dealing with personal loss. It's touching without being overly sentimental, refreshingly clear and honest portrayal of life on earth. wonderful.
reviewed Kitchen on
Helpful Score: 6
Very touching story, written in a fun, unusual style. This is a great introduction to Japanese literature, IMO.
riverffashion avatar reviewed Kitchen on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Written in simple, yet poetic text. nice descriptions. A young womans grandmother (who she lived with) died. how she dealt with grief, friends she made in the process, healing nature of kitchen. a favorite. also includes shorter second story, as many of yoshimoto's books do.
reviewed Kitchen on + 54 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
From Library Journal
In this translation of a best-selling novel first published in Japan in 1987, the young narrator, Mikage, moves into the apartment of a friend whose mother is murdered early in the tale. What seems like a coming-of-age melodrama quickly evolves into a deeply moving tale filled with unique characters and themes. Along the way, readers get a taste of contemporary Japan, with its mesh of popular American food and culture. Mikage addresses the role of death, loneliness, and personal as well as sexual identity through a set of striking circumstances and personal remembrances. "Moonlight Shadows," a novella included here, is a more haunting tale of loss and acceptance. In her simple and captive style, Yoshimoto confirms that art is perhaps the best ambassador among nations. Recommended for all fiction collections.
- David A. Berona, Westbrook Coll. Lib., Portland, Me.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Read All 17 Book Reviews of "Kitchen"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

miss-info avatar reviewed Kitchen on + 386 more book reviews
The writing style was fine and there was enough to it to keep me reading, but overall I found the book a little depressing. Each of the three stories - two in a pair, and one separate - deal with overcoming the death of a loved one. I would read more by the author only if it had a different theme.
miss-info avatar reviewed Kitchen on + 386 more book reviews
The writing style was fine and there was enough to it to keep me reading, but overall I found the book a little depressing. Each of the three stories - two in a pair, and one separate - deal with overcoming the death of a loved one. I would read more by the author only if it had a different theme.
miss-info avatar reviewed Kitchen on + 386 more book reviews
The writing style was fine and there was enough to it to keep me reading, but overall I found the book a little depressing. Each of the three stories - two in a pair, and one separate - deal with overcoming the death of a loved one. I would read more by the author only if it had a different theme.
WingsPawsNMagick avatar reviewed Kitchen on
loved her style of writing.... i am now searching for more books by her
miss-info avatar reviewed Kitchen on + 386 more book reviews
The writing style was fine and there was enough to it to keep me reading, but overall I found the book a little depressing. Each of the three stories - two in a pair, and one separate - deal with overcoming the death of a loved one. I would read more by the author only if it had a different theme.
reviewed Kitchen on + 404 more book reviews
"Kitchen" is the first book I've read by Ms. Banana, and I was so pleasantly surprised at the simplicity of her writing style combined with the power of her message.

The author's very offbeat vibe is retained in this book by skillful translation to English. It also retains its uniquely Japanese flavor, but through it all, the book is very accessable." amazon
miss-info avatar reviewed Kitchen on + 386 more book reviews
The writing style was fine and there was enough to it to keep me reading, but overall I found the book a little depressing. Each of the three stories - two in a pair, and one separate - deal with overcoming the death of a loved one. I would read more by the author only if it had a different theme.


Genres: