The Asia Society Book Club
VIEW EVENT DETAILSAt our next Asia Society Book Club, we'll read and discuss "The Emissary" by Yōko Tawada. This book won the 2018 US National Book Award in the translated works category.
Japan, after suffering from a massive irreparable disaster, cuts itself off from the world. Children are so weak they can barely stand or walk: the only people with any get-go are the elderly. Mumei lives with his grandfather Yoshiro, who worries about him constantly. They carry on a day-to-day routine in what could be viewed as a post-Fukushima time, with all the children born ancient—frail and gray-haired, yet incredibly compassionate and wise. Mumei may be enfeebled and feverish, but he is a beacon of hope, full of wit and free of self-pity and pessimism. Yoshiro concentrates on nourishing Mumei, a strangely wonderful boy who offers “the beauty of the time that is yet to come.”
This event is for Asia Society members only. How to become a member?
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If you have any interesting reading recommendations, please let us know so we can consider them for our next meeting.
Event Details
Kaffeehaus zur Weltkugel
Bärengasse 20
8001 Zürich
(Map)