Author: Yoko Ogawa (translated by Stephen Snyder)
Published: 2003 in Japan, 2009 in America, Picador Publishing
Rating: 5/5
Ogawa created a world of nameless characters, except for the nickname of the housekeeper's son, "Root". Although, the story is told in first person through the intimate thoughts of the housekeeper, Ogawa keeps her readers at bay outside of the intimate circle of characters. The effect is successful as the reader is unable to completely inhabit the three main characters' sphere of life. Ogawa's ability to create deep, dimensional characters allows her readers to accept their nameless identities. The story itself is episodic and bittersweet about how friendship and loyalty can come in unexpected ways. The deep impressions such events have on humans is captured in the spirit of Ogawa's story. Ogawa's subtle writing style will leave her readers reflecting on human psychology as her characters strike a chord in each reader’s view of humanity.
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