Kitchen
"Ms. Yoshimoto's writing is lucid, earnest and disarming. . . . [It] seizes hold of the reader's sympathy and refuses to let go." --Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times
An orphan finds comfort in the kitchen, and in her chosen family, in this classic of contemporary Japanese literature
With the publication of Kitchen, the dazzling English-language debut that is still her best-loved book, the literary world realized that Yoshimoto was a young writer of enduring talent whose work has quickly earned a place among the best of contemporary Japanese literature. Kitchen is an enchantingly original book that juxtaposes two tales about mothers, love, tragedy, and the power of the kitchen and home in the lives of a pair of free-spirited young women in contemporary Japan. Mikage, the heroine, is an orphan raised by her grandmother, who has passed away. Grieving, Mikage is taken in by her friend Yoichi and his mother (who is really his cross-dressing father) Eriko. As the three of them form an improvised family that soon weathers its own tragic losses, Yoshimoto spins a lovely, evocative tale with the kitchen and the comforts of home at its heart.
In a whimsical style that recalls the early Marguerite Duras, "Kitchen" and its companion story, "Moonlight Shadow," are elegant tales whose seeming simplicity is the ruse of a very special writer whose voice echoes in the mind and the soul.
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
There are 2 stories continued is this little gem of a book. Kitchen is the first, longer story about a girl who feels drawn to and comforted by being in kitchens, hence the title, but is also about love and loss and grief and food and sacrifice and empathy and loneliness. The second story is called Moonlight Shadow and is about love and loss and empathy and magic. I loved both stories, and, although it is a translation, I feel the author’s style comes through. She writes with precision and simplicity and warmth.
Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto is a beautifully written and quietly powerful exploration of grief, love, connection, and the ways people find meaning after loss. Despite hearing mixed opinions about this book over the years, I believe this is a perfect example of how personal reading experiences can vary. After sitting on my digital shelf for more than a decade, I finally picked it up—and I’m very glad I did.
Through two stories, Yoshimoto captures the complexity of human relationships and the emotional process of moving forward while still carrying the memories of those we have lost. Her writing is simple yet deeply evocative, finding beauty in ordinary moments and expressing profound emotions with remarkable sensitivity.
While the themes are undeniably heavy, I did not find the novel to be simply depressing. Instead, it is a thoughtful reflection on healing, resilience, and the unexpected ways people can find comfort and connection during difficult times.
Overall, Kitchen is a moving and memorable short read that highlights the depth of human relationships and the different ways we experience love and grief. I’m grateful I gave this book the chance to speak for itself rather than relying on the opinions of others.
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.