Some relative light relief after the previous read. This is a collection of three short stories by one of Japan's most talented authors. Her works are now only gradually being translated into English. Ogawa is not dissimilar to Amelie Nothomb. Beneath the veneer of the quotidian lurks a world that is much more bizarre, macabre and sinister. Everyday objects (e.g. the diving pool of the opening story or the beehive in “Dormitory”) take on a sinister significance. Maybe Ogawa's point is that latent menace and violence lurk everywhere. How much is in the mind — we just imagine it — remains unclear. Beguiling and intriguing, “Dormitory” was my favourite of the triumvirate. 7.5/10.
By Yoko Ogawa