barbara ruch

At last a powerful girl/to/woman's voice emerges after decades of modern males' fictional ruminations over lost self identity and ennui. The Kirkus reviewer must be older and male. Otherwise how could he possibly question what audience this wonderfully apt translation is supposed to be for. A masterpiece, moving in a manner truly understandable to someone growing up female. Mieko Kawakami is Japan's Elena Ferrante. Only deeper. I understand the impetus for selecting the English title, but the original is simply Natsu's Story. Kawakami's Miss Ice Sandwich is a tiny sip of a miracle too.