The six stories that make up "Little Pieces" are all set in Japan, land of Zen austerity, manga excess, and much in between. In "First Snow," a joyous chance reunion of a babysitter and her one-time charge unexpectedly spirals into confession and response. Sonoko, in the story that bears her name, slips with practiced ease out of the world of her life into that of 11th-century Japan. In "The Miracle," the miracle is that nothing happens-until the end. The narrator of "The Concussion," age 87, sums up the spirit of these stories when, responding to the disbelief he inspires, he says, "I have...
The six stories that make up "Little Pieces" are all set in Japan, land of Zen austerity, manga excess, and much in between. In "First Snow," a joyous...
“Listen, Granule, about what daddy said. Is it true?”
“Mummy said he was joking.”
“I think it’s true.”
“Really?”
“I think so.”
“D’you mean mummy’s a liar?”
Mandolyn was thoughtful. Granule’s eyes were fixed on her face. He loved her face. It was so… he didn’t know the word… it kept changing… unlike his own, which was always the same. Mandolyn smiling and Mandolyn grave were almost two different people; Mandolyn laughing...
“Listen, Granule, about what daddy said. Is it true?”
