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Fifty Sounds

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( 982 ratings, 175 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
Fifty Sounds by Polly Barton is a memoir that explores the author's journey to deeply understand Japanese language and culture. It blends personal anecdotes with linguistic reflections, giving readers a vivid insight into the challenges and delights of immersion in a foreign culture. Through playful and thoughtful exploration, Barton reveals the profound connections between language, identity, and self-discovery.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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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?

This book may appeal to you if you are interested in exploring Japanese culture through language, as it offers a unique blend of personal memoir and cultural exploration. With a focus on the nuances of the Japanese language, it provides an immersive experience for those curious about linguistic connections and cultural insights.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Fifty Sounds is a personal dictionary of the Japanese language, recounting her life as an outsider in Japan. Irreverent, humane, witty and wise, Fifty Sounds is an exceptional debut about the quietly revolutionary act of learning, speaking, and living in another language.

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

Why Japan? In Fifty Sounds, winner of the 2019 Fitzcarraldo Editions Essay Prize, Polly Barton attempts to exhaust her obsession with the country she moved to at the age of 21, before eventually becoming a literary translator.

From min-min, the sound of air screaming, to jin-jin, the sound of being touched for the very first time, from hi'sori, the sound of harbouring masochist tendencies, to mote-mote, the sound of becoming a small-town movie star, Fifty Sounds is a personal dictionary of the Japanese language, recounting her life as an outsider in Japan.

Irreverent, humane, witty and wise, Fifty Sounds is an exceptional debut about the quietly revolutionary act of learning, speaking, and living in another language.

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?

The book is highly praised for its engaging, witty, and insightful exploration of language and cultural immersion. Reviewers commend Polly Barton for her intelligent and exuberant storytelling, which is both educational and entertaining. The book, described as an inventive and gripping work, delves into themes of identity, communication, and love, with a focus on the transformative experiences of learning a language and translating literature. Barton's writing is noted for its philosophical depth, humour, and vibrant prose.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781913097509

Publisher: Fitzcarraldo Editions

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 14 April 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Fitzcarraldo Editions

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 125.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 360

About the Author

Polly Barton is a Japanese literary translator. Her translations include Where the Wild Ladies Are by Aoko Matsuda, There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job by Kikuko Tsumura, and Spring Garden by Tomoka Shibasaki. She won the 2019 Fitzcarraldo Editions Essay Prize for Fifty Sounds. She lives in Bristol.

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