Waiting Years

Tomo, a faithful wife of a government official, is sent to Tokyo in the late nineteenth century to select a respectable young girl to become her husband's new lover. The Waiting Years is a novel that was awarded Japan's most prestigious literary award, the Noma Prize.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 07 November 2019
Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Published for the first time in the UK, one of Japan's greatest modern female writers, In the late nineteenth century, Tomo, the faithful wife of a government official, is sent to Tokyo, where a heartbreaking task awaits her. From among hundreds of geishas and daughters offered up for sale by their families, she must select a respectable young girl to become her husband's new lover. Externally calm, but torn apart inside, Tomo dutifully begins the search for an official mistress.

The Waiting Years is a novel that was published for the first time in the UK. It is one of Japan's greatest modern female writers. The novel takes place in the late nineteenth century in Tokyo. Tomo, the faithful wife of a government official, is sent to Tokyo where she is tasked with selecting a respectable young girl to become her husband's new lover.

Tomo is a calm and composed woman on the outside, but she is deeply torn apart inside. She struggles with the moral dilemma of choosing a young girl who will become her husband's mistress, knowing that it will be a life of hardship and sacrifice for the girl. She also grapples with her own feelings of guilt and shame for being forced into this situation.

The novel explores the complex social and cultural dynamics of the geisha and samurai communities in Japan during the late nineteenth century. It sheds light on the struggles and hardships that these women faced, as well as the strict codes of conduct and traditions that governed their lives.

The Waiting Years was awarded Japan's most prestigious literary award, the Noma Prize. The novel is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Japanese literature and has been translated into numerous languages. It has been praised for its vivid portrayal of the characters, its intricate plot, and its exploration of the human condition.

In conclusion, The Waiting Years is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that offers a unique perspective on the lives of women in Japan during the late nineteenth century. It is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit and a reminder of the complexities and challenges that we all face in our lives.

Weight: 140g
Dimension: 191 x 132 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780099589457