Novel
熟れてゆく夏
Not translated into English
Shizuko Tōdō · 1988
Synopsis
One summer, in an elegant seaside resort hotel in Hokkaidō, a student, Ritsuko, and the young lover of a rich widow, Matsuki, await the arrival of the latter, who has taken a liking to the girl, according to a reading blog. According to the presentation by the publisher Bungei Shunjū, the wait brings to light the selfishness and loneliness of the two young people, and the link between love and sexuality. The young man, who hopes to be adopted by Matsuki, does not want to upset her, and Ritsuko finds him physically repellent.
Context
The volume appeared on 20 November 1988 from Bungei Shunjū and brings together, with the story that gives it its title, two shorter texts. The back-cover text is signed by the critic Ueda Yasuo, who classes it among stories about desire. The reading blog that summarises its plot supposes that a 1979 version, submitted without success for the Shinchō Prize for new authors, was entirely rewritten. The paperback edition dates from October 1991.
Who it is for
A short, clean-cut narrative, for those who like summer chamber pieces in which desire mingles with selfishness. Nothing exists in French.
Prizes and reception
Hundredth winner of the Naoki Prize, in 1988; the publisher then printed fifty thousand more copies.
Sources for this page 5
The pages consulted to check this page.