The Emissary
Japan, after suffering from a massive irreparable disaster, cuts itself off from the world. Children are so weak they can barely stand or walk: the only people with any get-go are the elderly. Mumei lives with his grandfather Yoshiro, who worries about him constantly. They carry on a day-to-day routine in what could be viewed as a post-Fukushima time, with all the children born ancient--frail and gray-haired, yet incredibly compassionate and wise. Mumei may be enfeebled and feverish, but he is a beacon of hope, full of wit and free of self-pity and pessimism. Yoshiro concentrates on nourishing Mumei, a strangely wonderful boy who offers "the beauty of the time that is yet to come."
A delightful, irrepressibly funny book, The Emissary is filled with light. Yoko Tawada, deftly turning inside-out "the curse," defies gravity and creates a playful joyous novel out of a dystopian one, with a legerdemain uniquely her own.
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Community Reviews
Despite reading the back summary, I was not sure what to expect when reading this story. It is a speculative/dystopian fiction, although I think it is a light dystopia. We follow an old mans meandering thoughts about the state of the world, his great grandson, and his family. It is a short story, and at times I found myself grateful that it was not longer. The last 20 or so pages, however, had me wishing for more. Like others have said, it feels like a setup for a longer story.
I liked the prose, and I could feel Tawada's love for language throughout the story. I also learned more about Japanese culture through reading this novel. For example, I did not know that fluffy bath towels are a Western thing, and a traditional Japanese towel is much thinner (I ordered one out of curiosity).
Overall, I am glad I read this story, and am eager to read more of Tawada's work.
I liked the prose, and I could feel Tawada's love for language throughout the story. I also learned more about Japanese culture through reading this novel. For example, I did not know that fluffy bath towels are a Western thing, and a traditional Japanese towel is much thinner (I ordered one out of curiosity).
Overall, I am glad I read this story, and am eager to read more of Tawada's work.