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Paperback
By Banana Yoshimoto (Author)
Publication Date: March 1, 2018
Kitchen is a modern classic of Japanese literature—a delicate, tender, and quietly moving story about love, loss, and finding solace in unexpected places. Written by internationally acclaimed author Banana Yoshimoto, this slim but emotionally rich novel explores grief and healing through the eyes of a young woman navigating life after the death of her last surviving relative.
The story follows Mikage, a lonely girl who finds comfort in kitchens and cooking, and her evolving relationship with Yuichi, a gentle soul with his own complicated past. Together, they form an unconventional family, bound by shared sadness and the slow, hopeful process of moving forward. Included alongside Kitchen is the companion novella Moonlight Shadow, a hauntingly beautiful tale of love and the lingering presence of the departed.
"The place I like best in this world is the kitchen." — Banana Yoshimoto
Kitchen is a quiet masterpiece—full of subtle emotions, poetic imagery, and a profound understanding of the ways we cope with grief. It speaks to the heart without trying too hard, making it especially comforting for those who’ve experienced loss or are simply searching for meaning in everyday life.
If you're drawn to introspective, character-driven narratives with a touch of melancholy and hope, Kitchen will leave a lasting impression. It's a story about the little things—meals shared, words unsaid, and the quiet strength it takes to begin again.
Genre: Literary Fiction, Contemporary, Japanese Literature
ISBN: 9780571336173
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Pages: 160 pages
Language: English
Beautifully simple yet emotionally resonant, Kitchen captures the quiet, messy beauty of being human. Banana Yoshimoto writes with a softness that feels like a whisper—gentle, but deeply affecting. Whether you read it in a single sitting or savor it slowly, this novel is a timeless meditation on love, loneliness, and the unexpected warmth of found family.