The Genius of Yoko Ogawa 

The way The Memory Police was pitched by the publisher does more damage than good. Many people are drawn to its comparison to 1984 but I don't think Ogawa was going for a 'dystopian' enquiry, instead it was leaning more towards the philosophical and human nature.

This is perhaps one of the best reviews of Ms. Ogawa's work. Well summarized. I have recently read some of her books, starting with The Housekeeper and the Professor.

My jaw dropped to the ground the moment I read the final few words of Sewing of the Heart in Revenge. Ogawa has this mystical way of worldbuilding and building suspense that captures just how good of a writer she is. Thx so much for bringing light to her work with this vid

I finally got to reading The Memory Police. The only word to describe it is WOW. It is one of the most disturbing and fascinating books I've ever read. Thank you for recommending

I love Ogawa. He subtlety towards horror is amazing: like she can make the most innocent looking person appear nefarious and twisted like he has this diane arbus way at depicting characters. The first works I read from her is "Tale of the House of Physics"

I was introduced to Ogawa from one of your videos on Asian LIT and the first book I read was The Professor and the Housekeeper. And then I read Hotel Iris followed by the Memory Police. Indeed The Professor is probably her only book which isnt dark. The others are god so freakingly dark yet said in such a calm tone almost. Thank you for introducing me to such a legend of a writer

Just finished The housekeeper and the professor, following your recommendation and WOW I loved it, so beautiful! I needed something like that, thank you :)

It’s so nice to see yoko ogawa get the love she deserves. I adore her novels as they made me love and learn about things that I originally hated such as maths. Not many authors can achieve that on a level like ogawa. I’m so excited to read more of her work and I’m really hoping that more of her works get translated, especially if it’s by Stephan Snyder. Fantastic video

I've just finished The Housekeeper and the Professor this month and really liked it! I love your descriptions of it, here.

I absolutely love your channel! I am pursuing linguistics and translation studies. I love your way of reviewing the books, especially translated ones. It's so surprising how translators are able to not just translate words, but also worlds!

Loooveeee The Diving Pool! And I mean, the short story itself. I especially loved the descriptions of the body during diving positions.

Thanks again, I just finished The Memory Police on your recommendation and loved it - so rare to read a dystopian book which feels so grounded and human and rooted in its characters. I read Hotel Iris years ago and will be onto the rest as soon as possible

Currently reading The Memory Police by her. Just read The Diving Pool and Revenge this week and got absolutely hooked!

I like her books so it was very interesting to hear your reviews and analysis. I happened to find you while I was looking for good Korean literature. Now I am a big fan of yours.

I absolutely love your review style and how in depth you go in the book and talk about the author. I'm really glad I clicked on your video. Can't wait to see more reviews 😊

I loved her novel "Kotori", such a wonderfully bitterweet, subtle story. I read the German translation, "Herr der kleinen Vögel" ('master of small birds'), I don't think it has been tranlated to English yet? If I remember correctly: It's about two brothers. The older one has taken care of the birds in a large aviary pretty much all of his adult life, and he speaks a language that only his brother and the birds understand. Then he dies, and the younger brother is bereft with grief, so he decides to take over the job of caring for the birds. This leads to him befriending a young woman and an old man, though he is not a man who trusts easily. But then something happens, and he is confronted with loss yet again. I really need to read the rest of her novels.

Hi Willow, I am newish to your channel. I really love the content you put up here ❤️ Listening to you talk about books gives me the feel of meeting a friend over coffee and talking endlessly about life, food, music & Books! Thank you so much :)

Hey I'm currently half way through the memory police and absolutely love it! I found your page from the women don't owe you pretty video and instantly knew i needed to follow your book recommendations. I can't wait to catch up on all your old videos and see what you post in the future.

I adore yoko ogawa's books!

I wanted to thank you for recommending Ogawa's books bc ive just finished The Diving Pool and im obsessed with it. Dormitory is my favourite out of the 3, love how eerie it is. I will definitely try to find her other books 😊

She is one of my favorite Japanese writers.

i'm new but really love your review...i'm catching up to all your other videos..

She is very good

I feel real lucky cause Ms Ogawa has many books translated in Spanish, I’m currently reading a book by her called The girl who went to school on a hipo, Its a beautiful story !

Thank you for an excellent video. I would love your thoughts on ideas for a course I’m preparing on 21st century dystopian novels. I love The Memory Police, and I really love the fact that you can read the story on so many different levels. I also really enjoyed The Ten Percent Thief from India. I’d be grateful for any feedback on your favourites in this category.

Memory Police reminded me of "If Cat's disappeared from the world". It is also a novel and masterfully made into a Movie (Japanese) either wont disappoint. So amazing.

Fortunately there are more ogawa's books translated in italian than in English. I'm italian but I read mostly in English. The first book of her that I read(in italian)is the housekeeper and the professor.

I can't agree with you enough about contemporary female Japanese fiction - over the past two years I have slowly been exploring many of the works you are talking about. I got interested in Japanese fiction after travelling there, Osaka is one of my favorite places in the world. My favorite so far are Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto and Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami (it's in my top 10 books of 2020). I bought the Housekeeper and the Professor just before Christmas and I think I'm going to read it this month.

I just finished Revenge. Does anyone else not understand the ending to the last story Poison Plants? I don’t get why the old woman says she is seeing herself dead in the refrigerator. Didn’t a little boy die in the refrigerator in the first story? I thought she was going to be the one who found him.

I like dark and sinister books written by women. I think I'll check this one out. I've been on a kick for some new writers, especially those from other countries, so this one sound right up my alley.

I did not understand the ending of Dormitory from The Diving Pool, can someone please explain it to me??

translation (especially Japanese) being so important to your reviews, have you read any of the books in the original?

I'm currently reading Hotel Iris. I am a third into it and I have a lot of feelings.

You need to read 'Confessions'by kanae Minato it's an amazing thriller. Please read this book and make a review about it if you already read it.I want to know your opinions about this book.

The Diving Pool is one of the best books I've read. Reversing the male gaze to show the effects of isolation on women doomed to observe. Edit: Rec: Probs already read it but H. murakami's the Elephant Vanishes was on a similar bar...more nuanced than his other novels imo

You seem particularly interested in Japanese culture, what is it that you love about it ?

Do you prefer reading japanese or chinese literature?

Symbi students are coming here lol

Ur commentary on the diving pool concerning gender/sexuality: while adolescent male fantasy can be seen as creepy, it’s definitely normalised. The visceral descriptions of female love interests in works such as Murakami’s dont strike as being terrifying. It’s so normalised for men to make observations of women in literature, media and life. On the other hand, you suggest society views girls/ women as being more ‘pure’ and devoid of desire - I think what Ogawa is trying to show is how terrifying the male gaze truly is through having the roles reversed. Or perhaps show how demonised female sexuality is, to a point where ‘purity’ is pushed as an expectation. For a women to make objective judgment of a man is terrifying. She’s essentially depicting the way in which society enables young men act, but through a girl. Making judgement of the opposite sex who is younger. Who find it voyeuristic. Being free of caretaking duties (hence baby-jugging). And acting out of impulsivity.