Reviews

J-Lit Review #11: When the Museum is Closed

Emi Yagi returns with a magical-realist queer love story.

Jul 27 •

J-Lit Review #10: The Third Love

Reviewing a forthcoming novel from Hiromi Kawakami.

Jul 14 •

J-Lit Review #9: Vanishing World

Sayaka Murata is back with another weird and wonderful tale.

May 26 •

J-Lit Review #8: Goodnight Tokyo

New novel channels Murakami by exploring Japan after dark but lacks substance.

Apr 19 •

J-Lit Review #7: Inheritors

A sprawling narrative across multiple generations told in very different short stories.

Apr 12 •

J-Lit Review #6: Hunchback

A review of a forthcoming Japanese novel about a disabled woman.

Feb 27 •

J-Lit Review #5: Strange Pictures

Japan’s biggest new author has his first English publication.

Feb 21 •

J-Lit Review #4: Under the Eye of the Big Bird

A review of Hiromi Kawakami’s new novel.

Jan 18 •

The City and its Uncertain Walls: A Review

My (spoiler-free) thoughts on the latest novel by Haruki Murakami.

Dec 1, 2024 •

J-Lit Review #3: There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job

A strange but enjoyable novel that always hints at the surreal or supernatural

Oct 26, 2024 •

The Bookshop Woman: A Review

A review of the hit new Japanese book by Nanako Hanada.

Sep 28, 2024 •

How Not to Write a Novel: A Review of Butter by Asako Yuzuki

A new novel falls flat but provides important lessons for novelists.

Sep 2, 2024 •

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