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A review by thebobsphere
Territory of Light by Yūko Tsushima
4.0
Territory of Light has an interesting genesis as it was serialised during the year’s 1977/78 and then brought together as a novel. Unlike other serialised novels, Territory does not feel too episodic and all chapters are linked deftly.
The plot concerns a woman moving into a sunlit apartment with her three year old daughter, as this event happens her husband leaves her. each chapter represents a month of the year and as the seasons pass, the main protagonist goes through trials of living as a single mother. Some chapters are funny, some quite tragic. As the year passes she realises that she has to move on.
I guess this is a novella about survival. As the book was written 45 years ago, this probably seemed quite daring as it’s about a single mother. I also saw it as a snapshot of Japanese culture on the topic of divorce as it is mentioned quite a few times both blatantly and surreptitiously. At the same time it’s a charming read with an odd feel good factor ( not all the time). Having done a bit of research I have found out that it’s now part of the Penguin Modern Classics range and I can see that – Territory of Light is a quiet momentous novella.
The plot concerns a woman moving into a sunlit apartment with her three year old daughter, as this event happens her husband leaves her. each chapter represents a month of the year and as the seasons pass, the main protagonist goes through trials of living as a single mother. Some chapters are funny, some quite tragic. As the year passes she realises that she has to move on.
I guess this is a novella about survival. As the book was written 45 years ago, this probably seemed quite daring as it’s about a single mother. I also saw it as a snapshot of Japanese culture on the topic of divorce as it is mentioned quite a few times both blatantly and surreptitiously. At the same time it’s a charming read with an odd feel good factor ( not all the time). Having done a bit of research I have found out that it’s now part of the Penguin Modern Classics range and I can see that – Territory of Light is a quiet momentous novella.