In April, the International Booker Prize1 shortlist was announced and I set off to read every book on the list. Instead, I read two from the longlist and a book about a flock of sheep that investigate the murder of their shepherd. I also read a lot of Japanese literature, so now my most-read author is actually the woman who translates a lot of it (shout out to Allison Markin-Powell for that)!

I’m 100% sure that I watched more than two movies in April, but I can’t remember them. In which case, it’s probably for the best.

Books

1. Hunchback by Saou Ichikawa

   Ichikawa, a disabled woman herself, writes an uncompromising exploration of a woman searching for autonomy and control in a life punctuated by disability. This was a Booker Prize longlist book.

2. The White Book by Han Kang tr. Deborah Smith

   A poetic exploration of grief and loss through the colour white. Beautiful work by a fantastic Nobel prize winning author.

3. The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin

   Ursula K Le Guin is one of a kind. This book is an interesting exploration of the ideological battle of collectivism vs individualism, and the realities of anarchy and revolution. This book is part of her Hanish Cycle novels, and takes place on the fictional planets of Anarres and Urras featuring a scientist that was heavily inspired by her real-life, personal knowledge of Oppenheimer.

4. Reservoir Bitches by Dahlia de la Cerda tr. Julia Sanches

   This book by Mexican author Dahlia de la Cerda is a complication of the stories of thirteen Mexican women who make the most of the cards they were dealt. The definition of “most” varies greatly as we read about such different women within Mexican society. A violent, grim, and relentless read that hit very close to home for me. Another Booker Prize longlist choice.

5. Parade by Hiromi Kawakami tr. Allison Markin-Powell

   I picked this up without realizing it was a companion to another of Kawakami’s books, Strangers in Tokyo, so I missed a lot of context. I’ll read Strangers in Tokyo and get back to you.

6. Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann tr. Anthea Bell

   A heart-warming book with a surprising amount of depth. It was drawn out at times but overall an enjoyable experience as we follow this Irish flock desperate to uncover what happened to their murdered shepherd.

7. Kappa by Ryunosuke Akutagawa tr. Allison Markin-Powell

   This short story by the most acclaimed Japanese writer of the time (of Rashōmon fame) is about a man who falls into the world of the mythical creatures named kappas. As he lives among them and learns their ways, we’re led on an existential exploration of the purpose of life. When put into the context of the author’s often turbulent and short life, this story becomes a devastating account of a man’s attempts to make sense of his own existence.

   

Movies

1. Conclave dir. Edward Berger

RIP Francis, hello Robert. But also — I loved this film. It was beautiful and thought-provoking and gossipy in all the best ways. The devil is in the details with this one and Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini, and Carlos Diehz were fantastic.

2. Suspicion dir. Alfred Hitchcock

I love classic movies, Cary Grant, and Joan Fontaine, but this movie falls flat. The best thing about it is Joan Fontaine’s dress. The usual disquiet that Hitchcock is able to bring was ruined by the lackluster ending2 and the awful treatment of Fontaine’s character. She won an Academy Award for it, so it’s more the writing than the acting. I don’t know what Hitchcock was thinking with this one.

That’s it for April! We’ll be back with another recap for May :)