Court reviewed Diary of a Void by David Boyd
A single lie with so many layers
5 stars
Cutting and delightful--simultaneously sad and challenging
English language
Published Nov. 9, 2023 by Penguin Random House.
Diary of a Void
A Hilarious, Feminist Read from the New Star of Japanese Fiction
4 stars
(18 reviews)
Ms Shibata refuses to clear away the coffee at work one day, because she's pregnant and can't bear the smell. The only thing is . . . Ms Shibata is not pregnant.
Being a mother-to-be isn't easy. Ms Shibata 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.
Erin reviewed Diary of a Void by David Boyd
Review of 'Diary of a Void' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
The definition of "it was okay." This book is saying things about being a woman in Japan in terms of gendered expectations at work and in motherhood. The extra labor women are supposed to take on with childcare and the lack of respect for that work.
I wish the book had gotten weirder or darker or something. It stayed pretty on the nose and so little happens. There were moments when I thought, "that was poignant," but a lot of the time it was just not that interesting. At least it was pretty short!
Tessa reviewed Diary of a Void by David Boyd
Review of 'Diary of a Void' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
First half is great and captivating, loses its momentum in the second half. Still, an interesting reflection on the position of women and pregnancy, encapsulated by an all compassing but quiet loneliness.
k1dokuu reviewed Diary of a Void by David Boyd
Review of 'Diary of a Void' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
At first, I thought this is going to be a fun, short while read with social commentary, regarding sexism, the role of women in a work environment and gender roles in relationships. But at some point the narrative...shifted. This book became a story about denial, loneliness, alienation and change. It gave the book a whole 'nother layer.
I enjoyed Emu Yagi's debut novel very much. The translation was good - it "flowed" well and there were some beautifully written passages.
