Modern Japanese Fiction

[InterestedBeing]

I am developing an interest in this and am currently reading The Passengers on the Hankyu Line.

There's something about it. A distinct style, very emotive.

A friend got me into it and has recommended "Before the Coffee Gets Cold" and I like the look of "The Lantern of Lost Memories"

Does anyone else read such books and have any recommendations?

I love Banana Yoshimoto, particularly Kitchen and Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami.

I enjoyed one called Butter

I loved OUT by Natsuo Kirino and Strangers by Taichi Yamada. Agree that there’s something about them.

What You are Looking For is in the Library is a lovely short read. Convenience Store Woman was an interesting read. Confessions by Kanae Minato was a great thriller read

I read Strange Pictures by Uketsu a few weeks back and I can’t wait to pick up Strange House.
I’ve enjoyed them because they are a slower read, more chilled out, they feel more relaxed.

ive read a couple of other Japanese fiction but one I had to put down as it was too too slow with virtually nothing happening.

I really enjoy Japanese women authors. There's a detached tone and so much atmosphere with so little verbal flourish.

Terminal Boredom by Izumi Shizuki. It's a collection of short stories.

The Ten Loves of Mr Nishino by Hiroki Kawakami. Anything by her is good. The writing just sucks you in.

Sayaka Murata. She wrote Convenience Store Woman. Earthlings gets a little bit weirder.

OP might like the cat books by varied Japanese writers, like If Cats Disappeared from the World by Genki Kawamura and The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki. There's quite a few more but those are the two that stand out for me.

I think OP would slso enjoy What You Are Looking For Is In the Library by Michiko Aoyama.

Strange Pictures and Strange Houses by Uketsu are interesting and good. I think Strange Houses was a bit easier to figure out.

Haruki Murakami and Banana Yoshimoto are always good. The Premonition by Banana Yoshimoto does include incest.

Next up for me is The Great Passage by Shion Miura.

I love Pro Bono by seicho matsumoto

keeps you on your toes

and beast in the shadows by edogawa Rampo - kept me thinking for days!