Why people recommend it
The Emissary by Yōko Tawada is a translated work of contemporary Japanese fiction that presents a somber and dystopian vision of society. On The Book Review podcast episode titled Jo Nesbo Reimagines Macbeth, Parul Sehgal discussed the novel, observing that it is neither a light nor a funny book, yet noting that it is very good in certain specific ways. During another episode of the same podcast titled The Past, Present and Future of Jews in America, Alexander Alter reported on literary accolades, announcing that the winner of the translation award that year was Yoko Tawada for The Emissary alongside her translator Margaret Mitsutani. The podcast discussions collectively drew attention to the novel's heavy thematic weight and its international recognition through translation prizes. While Sehgal focused on the serious, unhumorous tone and literary merit of the text, Alter highlighted its success in the broader literary award sphere, celebrating the collaborative achievement of the author and her translator in bringing this evocative work to an English-reading audience.
Who recommended it
- Parul Sehgal Discussed
- Alexander Alter Discussed
Parul Sehgal — 1 mention
“and she's a new book called The Emissary which is not funny and it is not light but it's very good in certain ways”
Alexander Alter — 1 mention
“and the winner this year was yoka toada for the Emissary and her translator Margaret matsun”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
- A Higher Loyalty
- Call Me Joe (The Collected Short Works of Poul Anderson)
- Dear zealots
- Germinal
- God Save Texas
- Going Clear
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“it's a 60 page essentially long short story by a Japanese writer named Yoko toada called the bridegroom was a dog... our listeners might remember that last week parl seel one of our critics talked about reviewing Tat's newest novel which is called the Emissary”