Twinkle Twinkle

Kaori Ekuni is young Japanese fiction writer. Her books represent the similar genre to Banana Yoshimoto. Her novel Twinkle Twinkle is fascinating story of Mutsuki and Shoko, newlyweds. They have been married for ten days, but they are not just another ordinary couple. Mutsuki happens to be gay, and Shoko has tendency to drink too much.

The book is beautiful description of the marriage of the young couple, imperfect human beings, and Japanese society. Twinkle Twinkle is narrated in alternating chapters by Mutsuki and Shoko. Kaori Ekuni writes with sharp wit and gentle humour.

I felt it is interesting that the relationship of Mutsuki and Shoko is in fact platonic - they don't make love, but still there is gentliness and love in the air. Some reviews say the couple got married because of the pressure from their parents. I don't want to think so. Sure, the marriage is convenience - it's important for Mutsuki's career as doctor, and Shoko can get relief from the pressure of her parents. As Shoko says: My carefree, convenient marriage was as fun as playing at house, but it came with a price after all.

However I don't want to think that they got married simply because of the convenience. I thought the couple loved each other simply in different way. Perhaps this was what Ekuni wanted to say.

Ekuni's writing is very visual, and simple. The book doesn't have the same complicated structures as Kenzaburo Oe's books have. It's easy book to enjoy. Twinkle Twinkle is a recommended reading for everyone interested of Japanese contemporary fiction.

"Simultaneously seductive and elusive...Ekuni serves up an array of subtly nuanced emotion." -Lambda Lit Review

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