Salty Air Ride: Selected Novels Awarded the Japan Naoki Prize

Author: (Japan) Daido Tsubuki Tomoko Hikari
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-02-01
Features: Salt Air Drift depicts a 34-year-old part-time worker from a small town, Mei, who is abandoned by a theater troupe star. Disheartened, she throws herself into the arms of a wealthy elderly man, Kujū, who is over sixty. Initially, Mei lives with the old man out of gratitude for his financial support, but inwardly, she longs for his death. However, on the very morning of their official cohabitation, she unexpectedly develops a genuine affection for this seemingly gentle yet inwardly persistent old man. The novel intricately and delicately portrays the hollow and melancholic psychological states of a disconnected society, exploring themes of life, death, and sexuality. Amidst the sorrow of emptiness, it carries a touch of humor. It received high praise during the (Kawabata Prize) selection, being hailed as "the most novelistic work to date," "a masterful piece with depth," and "a force that feels extraordinary."