Mon épouse américaine

Ruth Ozeki's writing is characterized by such remarkable precision and unwavering honesty that as I delved into her novel, I felt as if I was physically walking beside her main character, Jane Tagaki-Little. I was completely engrossed in the story, unable to view it objectively. I constantly had to remind myself that this was Ozeki's debut novel, for it is so impeccably crafted and well-written.

Jane, a documentary maker, secures a job producing a television series for Japanese housewives titled "The American Housewife," sponsored by the US Beef Conglomerate. She embarks on a journey across the country, seeking families that embody American wholesomeness and values and can also offer a delicious meat recipe. (Truly, it's a brilliant premise.) Meanwhile, across the globe, Akiko, a bulimic Japanese housewife, watches these shows and is deeply moved by them. Each chapter begins with the words and poetry of a 1st Century female writer, Sei Shonagon.

With its alternating viewpoints, the blend of verse and prose, the author's penchant for switching between first and third person, and a jumble of faxes thrown in, this novel could have easily descended into a chaotic mess. Instead, it emerges as a work of art.

Both women are on a quest to discover themselves, which forms the emotional core of the novel. Akiko's story unfolds in real time, while Jane writes with a certain self-awareness as she looks back on "My Year of Meats."

"It changed my life. You know when that happens -- when something rocks your world, and nothing is ever the same after?"

Although Jane's assignment initially starts as just a job, she becomes increasingly immersed in the lives of the families she profiles. She grapples with the challenge of balancing her desire to tell the truth with her obligation to serve her client, the show's BEEF-EX sponsor, personified by Akiko's husband. As she delves deeper into "meaty" stories, she uncovers disturbing truths about the meat industry, adding a deeply disturbing (almost nauseating) undertone to the novel.

Ozeki clearly states in the author's note that this is a work of fiction, yet it feels incredibly true, complete with a bibliography and footnotes. Issues such as hormones, fertility, abuse, agriculture, and culture all take center stage, but Ozeki resists the temptation to sermonize.

"I chose to ignore what I knew. Ignorance. In this root sense, ignorance is an act of will, a choice that one makes over and over again, especially when information overwhelms and knowledge had become synonymous with impotence."

Ozeki seamlessly transitions this novel from being sharp-witted and playful to emotional and honest. Her writing truly shines in the descriptions of each of the families Jane profiles, adding layers of depth and richness to the main narrative.

"Each sojourn into the heartland had its own viscosity - a total submersion into a strange new element - and for the duration, the parameters of my own world would collapse, sucked like a vacuum pack around the shapes of the families and the configurations of their lives."

This is my second encounter with Ozeki's work. Last year, I fell in love with "A Tale for the Time Being." I will now actively seek out her other books. I am officially a die-hard fan.

Highly Recommend.

Wow - this was an incredibly proactive, highly informative and at times truly heartbreaking story. It took me to places that I simply didn't expect.

I found myself constantly thinking about it in between reads. The vividness of the narrative made it impossible to forget.

I know for sure that it will stay with me for a very long time. It has left an indelible mark on my mind.

However, I would definitely recommend a large content warning before reading this book. As it does contain quite graphic descriptions of rape and slaughter houses. These elements can be extremely disturbing and may not be suitable for all readers.

It is important to approach this book with caution and be prepared for the intense and sometimes uncomfortable subject matter. But despite its difficult themes, it is a story that is well worth reading for its powerful message and engaging plot.

It wasn't very subtle about anything.

The cutesy people were extremely cutesy, as if they were deliberately designed to be overly charming. The good people were so incredibly good that they seemed almost too perfect to be real. The bad people were, on the other hand, so blatantly bad that they lacked any depth or complexity. And then there was the hunky macho guy, who was not only so hunky and macho but also rich!

It makes one wonder why American novelists feel the need to make so many of their characters so wealthy. Is it a reflection of the American dream, where everyone aspires to great wealth and success? Or is it simply a device used to add more drama and excitement to the story? Whatever the reason, it seems that in American novels, wealth is often equated with power and desirability.

Perhaps it's time for a change. Maybe readers are ready for more realistic characters, ones who struggle with financial difficulties and have to work hard to achieve their goals. After all, life isn't always about being rich and beautiful. Sometimes, it's the ordinary people with their ordinary problems who make the most interesting stories.

My Year of Meats is my second encounter with the works of Ruth Ozeki, and it is also the author's debut novel. I have previously read and adored A Tale for the Time Being.

What I truly appreciate about My Year of Meats is its sharp satire of American and Japanese commercialism as well as reality TV. The unappealing aspects of the US meat industry are not entirely foreign to me, yet Ozeki manages to craft a captivating story. Anti-racism is skillfully interwoven into the narrative. The portrayal of the relationship between the protagonist and her Japanese mother is nuanced and multi-layered. The inclusion of quotes from Japanese classics like The Pillow Book by Sei Shōnagon enriches the story further.

However, certain plot details seem a bit too idealistic. The handling of sexism and rape gives the impression of being somewhat outdated. After all, the book was published in 1998, and a great deal has changed in the past 22 years. I can't help but wonder how the author would have approached the story if she were writing it today.

It’s a sticky one, hence the absence of a rating.

Ozeki writes amazingly on a subject that I had absolutely no clue about. At work, a woman mentioned how much of a stir this caused when it was released, and I can see why. It’s fascinating yet nightmarish stuff, for real.

The only major concern I have is that I truly loathe the Akiko subplot. There is so much gratuitous violence and gore that I found a great deal of her story extremely difficult to read, which was really sad. I really don’t think it was necessary for the general plot, and it felt as if the book as a whole would have worked fine without the constant horrific jump scares that defined her entire character arc.

Other than that, though, it’s a really interesting and impactful read, blending an extremely real issue with a gripping story. It makes you think about the consequences of our actions and the power of words. The characters are well-developed, and the setting is vividly described. Overall, it’s a book that I would recommend to others who are looking for something different and thought-provoking.

This book starts off gently, but then the pace quickly builds and it hits you hard with its powerful content.

What makes it even more engaging are the really interesting characters that are introduced. They bring the story to life and make you invested in their fates.

It's quite remarkable that a book that is 17 years old can still address the same issues that are so relevant today, and perhaps even more so.

Unfortunately, it can't be said that there is a happy ending. This serves as a reminder that the problems we face in society are complex and often don't have simple solutions.

Overall, this was a very good book that managed to capture my attention from start to finish and left me with a lot to think about.

Possibly one of the most important books I have ever read is Ruth Ozeki's first work. I was already aware of how Ozeki excelled in handling various themes, but her debut novel truly surpassed all expectations. It delves into not only misogyny, culture, and corporate corruption but also the terrifying reality of American Beef. The story of Jane and Akiko is incredibly captivating, filled with numerous delightful twists and turns. From their shared struggles with fertility to the confining roles imposed on women, Ozeki skillfully weaves their tale. The parallels between the two characters are especially remarkable, leaving a breathtaking impact. Overall, Ruth Ozeki's first book is an absolute masterpiece, demonstrating her exceptional talent as a writer and her ability to explore complex and thought-provoking themes.

I embarked on this book more than a year ago. It was an old purse book that I had picked up on a whim. However, for some reason, I stopped reading it midway. But then, something compelled me to go back and start over again. And boy, am I glad that I did!

It is an incredibly witty story that revolves around a half-Japanese young woman who is working on a documentary series for Japanese television. The series is fully funded by the Beef Export Group, with the aim of persuading the Japanese to consume more beef. But everything changes when our heroine gets her hands on the series and transforms it into something completely different.

The book is filled with a plethora of really well-developed characters that you can't help but fall in love with. Even the villain is utterly fascinating, with his or her own motives and quirks. There are some rather brutal scenes in the book that might make you think twice about eating beef for a while. But overall, the entire thing is excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely be on the lookout for more works by this talented author.