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Diary of a Void

A hilarious, feminist read from the new star of Japanese fiction
By Emi Yagi
0.0 (0 reviews)
3.49 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 28,382 ratings, 4,215 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Diary of a Void by Emi Yagi is a thought-provoking novel that delves into the societal pressures and absurdities surrounding expectations of women in the workplace. The story follows a factory worker who fakes a pregnancy to escape relentless duties and scrutiny, revealing how far one might go for survival in a deeply conformist environment. Through this clever premise, the novel explores themes of identity, freedom, and the nature of deception.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2800
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're intrigued by the complexities of modern work-life culture and the lengths one might go to escape societal expectations. This novel offers a unique blend of humour and social commentary as it explores themes of identity, deception, and the search for personal freedom.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A prizewinning, thrillingly subversive debut novel about a woman in Japan who avoids harassment at work by perpetuating, for nine months and beyond, the lie that she's pregnant.

Discover this prizewinning, thrillingly subversive new novel that's perfect for fans of Convenience Store Woman and Breasts and Eggs.

'One of the most intriguing new novels of the summer,' Independent

For the sake of women everywhere, Ms Shibata is going to pull off the mother of all deceptions...

As the only woman in her office, Ms Shibata is expected to do all the menial tasks. One day she announces that she can't clear away her coworkers' dirty cupsβ€”because she's pregnant and the smell nauseates her. The only thing is... Ms Shibata is not pregnant.

Pregnant Ms Shibata doesn't have to serve coffee to anyone. Pregnant Ms Shibata isn't forced to work overtime. Pregnant Ms Shibata can rest, watch TV, take long baths, and even join an aerobics class for expectant mothers. But she has a nine-month ruse to keep up. Before long, it becomes all-absorbing, and with the help of towel-stuffed shirts and a diary app that tracks every stage of her 'pregnancy', the boundary between her lie and her life begins to dissolve.

Diary of a Void will keep you turning the pages to see just how far Ms Shibata will go.

Translated from the Japanese by David Boyd and Lucy North.

'Darkly funny and surprisingly tender.' Kirsty Logan, author of Things We Say in the Dark

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Diary of a Void by Emi Yagi is praised for its thought-provoking and humorous approach to themes of womanhood, motherhood, and workplace discrimination. Reviewers highlight its satirical yet profound examination of societal norms, with a unique focus on a woman's experience in a patriarchal society. The novel's engaging style and unexpected twists captivate readers, making it a standout read in contemporary fiction.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529114812

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 August 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage

Contributors:

  • Translated by David Boyd
  • Translated by Lucy North
  • Translated by David Boyd
  • Translated by Lucy North

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 14.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 162g

Pages: 224

Collections

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About the Author

Emi Yagi was born in 1988, and is currently a corporate employee and an editor. Diary of a Void is her first novel, and it won the 36th Dazai Osamu Prize, awarded annually to debut writers.

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