Diary Of A Void by Emi Yagi

This novel from Emi Yagi won the Dazai Osamu Prize for best debut work of fiction. I found it enjoyable and fresh - it has been called joyful, exuberant, and captivating - this quirky novel will appeal to women and mothers.

Ms. Shibata is the only woman at the paper supply office, which produces paper cores for toilet paper and paper towels, so naturally, she is expected to make the instant coffee, work the printer, and take care of the menial tasks on top of her own work. Sick of it, they are dumbfounded when she says she cannot clean up their cigarettes or wash the mugs anymore. Her spontaneous lie: she is pregnant with morning sickness. None of the men know anything about it, so give her the respect and space she needs, not questioning her lack of husband or lover. The perks of going home early means less crowd on the trains (with a maternity tag she is given a seat), earlier shopping means better quality at the grocery stores, and much needed sleep. She begins eating better, joins a Mommy aerobics class, and follows a Baby-N-Me book which details what to expect. Pregnancy is hard.

Soon, her eating for two means she can stop padding her flat tummy, and friends want to feel the baby. They wonder if it will be a boy or girl, and she starts picking out names. The baby has been kicking so much more lately.

She worries when the other mommies in her aerobics class share the work and postpartum which can follow the birth, but she feels she'll be ready to return after her maternity leave, to the company which produces simple items with empty cores.

The Japanese title for this book is closer to 'empty core handbook', which echoes the title of Japan's well-known pregnancy booklet issued to expectant mothers. While her pregnancy lie seems innocuous at first, there is an anger underneath not verbalized, a distain for her co-workers and even her parents (who know nothing of the baby), her visits to them a sort of hell. Her lie pushes back against gender discrimination, and the rewards which come with the success of creating a child are intoxicating - look at all you can get done when on maternity leave, not to mention the health of rest and a proper diet.

I enjoyed the writing, the interesting journey, and the unique ideas.

Perhaps someone who is not a 57 year old man would enjoy it even more.

2020 / Hardcover / 213 pages