Book: NP
Author: Banana Yoshimoto
Status: Re-reading
Rating: TBA
No, it’s not internet lingo for “no problem”, but NP and not “Up” as I misread is the book by Banana Yoshimoto that I had just finished. So, what was it about? Well, let’s see… the story is told by Kazami Kano, a girl whose boyfriend is a translator and had just committed suicide while translating a series of stories written by Sarao Takase. The short story anthology, composed of 97 stories, is called “NP”, which stands for North Point, a sad song that supposedly drove the author to suicide. After his death a 98th story is discovered and Kazami’s boyfriend, Shoji decides to translate it, which somehow leads to his suicide. After Shoji’s death, Kazami ends up getting involved with Sarao Takase’s children: fraternal twins Saki and Otohiko and Sui, their half-sister who is romantically involved with not only with Otohiko but her father before his death.
As strange as this novel may seem, it’s one that you can’t put down – hence why I basically bulldozed through it in a day. For now I’ll offer you this summary while I re-read this, since I’ll need this re-reading to recompose my thoughts and feelings on this novel.
Have a wonderful new year!
JLC
Sugar, Snark and Japanese Lit 