Kitchen : Book review

Book Review

Title: Kitchen

Author: Banana Yoshimoto

Genre: Translation (Japanese)

Kitchen is the story of a young Japanese woman named Mikage who finds herself orphaned overnight after the death of her grandmother who was her only remaining relative. She finds refuge in her neighbor Yuichi aand his transgender mother Eriko who offer kindness and a home to stay. Mikage begins to find refuge in the kitchen. Cooking and churning out meals helps her grapple with her grief and loss. 

Kitchen is followed by another novella/story called Moonlight. This story is about 2 teenagers named Satsuki and Hiiragi who lose their sweethearts in an accident. Satsuki takes up jogging while Hiiragi wears his dead girlfriend's uniform. A chance meeting with a woman by the river opens them to a world of healing and closure.

Kitchen is written in first person narrative from the point of view of Mikage. It delves deep into her stream of consciousness and feelings. Readers feel every ounce of sympathy for this character. The Kitchen forms a subtle setting in the book. It is also a metaphor to symbolise life as the protagonist equates kitchen as a place where life takes place.  

Moonlight is written in third person narrative. It borders on mysticism where the characters' feelings blend with the changing seasons. It brings in the metaphysical and spiritual elements of chance encounters and journey of life. 

Both stories primarily focus on grief as the main theme. It also delves into the coping mechanisms exhibited by different individuals to deal with tragedy. While loss is inevitable, Kitchen and Moonlight emphasize on the importance of moving on.  A beautiful read capturing  a myriad of emotions.