The World According to Mieko Kawakami

A video essay on the novels of Mieko Kawakami. Subscribe to the channel for more video essays.
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Description:
Earlier this year, I read Breasts and Eggs, a feminist novel by the author Mieko Kawakami. The book begins with Natsu, an aspiring writer, visiting her sister Makiko, in the city of Tokyo. Makiko is struggling with body issues and is tossing and turning over whether to get plastic surgery, in the form of breast augmentation.
In the bathhouse, Makiko describes, in detail, everything she thinks is wrong with her body. Her sister Natsu watches her undress, questioning what it means to be beautiful.
There are many reflective moments like this in the book, moments that point out the fractured nature of the time we are living in, with a growing gap between men and women and an imperative on women to be perfect at all times - and yet, at the same time, a growing confusion on what it means to be perfect.
Over the last couple of weeks, I read a few of Kawakami’s stories, trying to understand exactly what she thinks is tearing us apart. I re-read parts of Breasts and Eggs, and the shorter novellas, Ms Ice Sandwich and Heaven. In each case, I was taken in by the way Kawakami represents the downtrodden in society, the poor and the bullied, the beautiful and the mundane. It struck me that she could see something that I am missing, and so I sought to understand her perspective. This is the world according to Mieko Kawakami.
Image by: @SeerLight
Music by: Bensound
#kawakami #novels #literature

[@cebass9381]

I feel like a pedestrian who just found a random 100 dollar bill. This channel is amazing ! From the topics you touch on , your commentary , and that top-tier editing . Can't wait to see you blow up man!

[@joshuakrook1]

Thanks so much, that's very kind to say! :)

[@andrewanvo]

this is a great video! Your voice really fits the vibe too
I read this quote by Kawakami that really struck me, I thought you might like it too:
"Coming to the realisation that you’re alive is such a shock. One day, we’re thrown into life with no warning. And at some point, every one of us will die. It’s very hard to comprehend. We often talk about death being absolute, but I can’t help but think that being born is no less final.”
The finality of being alive, and it's incomprehensibility!

[@cxmxg]

Wonderful insight! Can’t wait to check out older videos and hopefully new ones!

[@rrcw320]

What a great job Joshua did in this review. I came looking for a framework to better understand Kawakami's literature after FT Weekend's review on her books. What an amazing companion is this channel.

[@preethi27]

Love this! I now want to read MK's books to experience this! Thank you! ❤️

[@tanabodeesangkrairungroj]

Love your video ❤️❤️❤️

[@joshuakrook1]

Thank you!

[@binniebeanie]

💞💞💞