Georgic: stories

by Mariko Nagai

Fiction. Asian American Studies. Winner of the G.S. Sharat Chandra Prize for Short Fiction selected by Jonis Agee. "Based on dire events in Japanese history and the key of folktale Mariko Nagai has written stories of a stark and unforgettable human landscape. War, imprisonment, hunger, and betrayals are in these timeless narratives. In the last story, drowning land, a young man who has spent his life sleeping and dreaming hears a voice whispering, It is time to wake up. The past has finally counted and enough change has come from his dreaming life to get him to act. Now, there is the possibility of release and change—of body, soul and mercy uniting with what is essential in order to grace communal life. This is a deeply thoughtful and beautifully written work"—Gioia Timpanelli.

Genres: Short Stories

163 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2010

Reviews

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mariko Nagai are darul de a lăsa cititorul fără cuvinte în timp ce crește în el o poftă nebună de a se apuca de scris la rândul său. Așterne cuvinte simple prin care reușește cumva să dea naștere unor imagini și emoții greu de măsurat, unui univers întreg construit dintr-un singur adevăr: foamea. Trupul înfometat și sufletul înfometat, suferința unei națiuni izolate la capătul lumii despre care nimeni n-a știut niciodată nimic.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The opening story, "Grafting," is about an ancient Japanese village on the brink of starvation, where the elderly are banished or eliminated so the able-bodied villagers will have enough food.I first read the story in the literary journal NEW LETTERS around ten years ago and although I couldn't remember the name of the author, it has stuck with me ever since. I was happy to rediscover it here, and found it just as disturbing and distinctive as I did at first reading. The other nine stories in this award-winning collection - many about mothers and daughters - are equally unsettling, but they also induce compassion for those who are forced by circumstances to commit unspeakable deeds. Mariko Nagai is an interesting, intelligent writer with a poet's voice.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

am reading a bunch of short fiction to try to understand the form & what it has to offer. these stories are haunting and tight. as 'a georgic', the stories cycle. they veer from the 'inverted check-mark thingy' that seems to be the tradition of fiction. these tensions cycle. a disturbing, good read.

[Alaine Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having heard the author speak on an author night at the library, I purchased this book. These short stories are dark, but based on history events and folktales. They are poetically written and I especially enjoyed the notes and reader's guide at the end.

[Jillian Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful little book full of sometimes ugly decisions. The writing is economical, describing both tragic and ordinary events with the same detached tone. It's lovely.

[Calvin]

Extremely well written-bleak, harrowing and often unique in their style.

[Mette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, dark and somewhat disturbing collection of stories, makes me want to read more of her writing...

[Ruth Sanabria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunting, poetic, & powerful. Gorgeous & heart breaking.

[Colorado Review]

Read our review by Julia Bouwsma at http://coloradoreview.colostate.edu/r...