Moshi Moshi A Novel

"A beautiful translation . . . Yoshimoto deploys a magically Japanese light touch to emotionally and existentially tough subject matter: domestic disarray, loneliness, identity issues, lovesickness . . . [a] nimble narrative." ―ELLE

In Moshi Moshi, Yoshie’s much–loved musician father has died in a suicide pact with an unknown woman. It is only when Yoshie and her mother move to Shimokitazawa, a traditional Tokyo neighborhood of narrow streets, quirky shops, and friendly residents that they can finally start to put their painful past behind them. However, despite their attempts to move forward, Yoshie is haunted by nightmares in which her father is looking for the phone he left behind on the day he died, or on which she is trying—unsuccessfully—to call him. Is her dead father trying to communicate a message to her through these dreams?

With the lightness of touch and surreal detachment that are the hallmarks of her writing, Banana Yoshimoto turns a potential tragedy into a poignant coming–of–age ghost story and a life–affirming homage to the healing powers of community, food, and family.

With her first work, "Kitchen" Banana Yoshimoto won the 6th Kaien Newcomer Writers Prize in November, 1987 and then the 16th Izumi Kyoka Literary Prize in October, 1988. She was also awarded the 39th edition, Best Newcomer Artists Recommended by the Minister of Education in February, 1989 with "Kitchen" and "Utakata/Sankuchuari". In May 1989 "TUGUMI" was awarded the 2nd Yamamoto Shugoro Literary Prize. In November,1995 "Amurita" won the 5th Murasaki-shikibu Prize named after the authoress of the Story of Genji. Outside of Japan, she was awarded a few prizes in Italy; Literary Prize Scanno in June, 1993 and Fendissime Literary Prize in March,1996 and Literary Prize Maschera d' argento in November, 1999. In October, 2000 "Furin to nanbei" was awarded the 10th edition Bunkamura Deux Magots Literary Prize. Her works, including "Kitchen", are translated and published in more than 20 countries. She lives in Tokyo.

Asa Yoneda was born in Osaka and translates from Japanese. She currently lives in Bristol.