Three Streets

Yoko Tawada's stories take a supernatural turn, featuring a ghost boy, white feathers, kittens, and a Soviet-era memorial of soldiers coming to life. The narrator is delighted to meet Mayakovsky's ghost and is fascinated by the work of this magisterial writer.

Format: Hardback
Length: 64 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2022
Publisher: New Directions Publishing Corporation

Yoko Tawada, a writer known for her extraordinary talent, delves into the supernatural realm in her captivating story "Kollwitzstrasse." As the narrator strolls through the streets of former East Berlin, they contemplate the recent emergence of bourgeois health food stores, which have gained popularity among wealthy young individuals. Amidst this contemplation, a ghost boy approaches the narrator, pleading with them to purchase the old-fashioned sweets he craves. The narrator, initially concerned about the sugar content, questions the wisdom of lecturing a deceased person. However, they ponder the absurdity of avoiding the subject since the boy is already beyond life. Suddenly, white feathers fall from the narrator's head, and they transform into a crane. The scene is surreal and unsettling, as the narrator witnesses their own metamorphosis.

In the following story, "Majakowskiring," the narrator, a admirer of the renowned Russian poet Mayakovsky, encounters the ghost of the poet himself. The encounter fills the narrator with delight and awe, as they connect with the spirit of a literary legend. The story unfolds in a hauntingly beautiful setting, with pure white kittens haunting the narrator's every step. The poetic nature of the encounter adds an extra layer of enchantment to the narrative.

Lastly, in "Pushkin Allee," the narrator finds themselves in front of a massive Soviet-era memorial of soldiers. To their surprise, the memorial comes to life, unleashing a scene of carnage. However, amidst the chaos, everything is remarkably well-ordered. The contrast between the serene memorial and the violent scene creates a powerful and thought-provoking narrative.

Through these captivating stories, Yoko Tawada showcases her exceptional writing skills and ability to explore the boundaries of the supernatural. Each narrative opens up into new dimensions, revealing the rich and complex world of this magisterial writer.

Weight: 270g
Dimension: 159 x 235 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780811229302