Banana

Product Information

The Life of a Banana tells the story of Xing Li, a British born Chinese girl. The story begins with the tragic death of her mother, meaning Xing and her brother are forced to live with their super rich and super strict grandmother. They've never had much of a relationship with her and they're dreading going to live with her and their aunt and uncle. There are a couple of very sensitive issues discussed in this book, and I think that PP Wong handled these issues very well. The bullying in this book was extremely well handled and well written. There was one particular seen that I found very harrowing and I was reading the words with tears in my eyes, making my vision blurry. PP Wong has blazed a trail for future British Chinese novelists. The Life of a Banana is bursting with original and exciting flavours.' The Independent, UK

There were some truly horrifying moments in this poignant tale. It's hard hitting but nothing ever feels unnecessary or over the top. There is a lot to learn about the impact of the banana on the world. And I would bet that all, or surely most of it, is in this book. Banana was a fun, educational and often surprising read. There is a lot of information to take in, and while you may know some of the info here, it is certain that there is a bunch you do not. Did you know that the banana tree isn’t properly a tree, but a very large herb? Neither did I. Or that the bananas we eat are considered berries? Say it ain’t so. Koeppel spent many chapters on the history of United Fruit, the modern Chiquita. I knew it was a history of violent colonialism, but I didn't know to what extent. The history of the "banana republics" of Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, etc. is fascinating, dark and disturbing. Guatemala in particular, with the CIA-orchestrated conspiracy / coup that was very much related to United Fruit and bananas. Impeccably observed, often hilarious, and deeply moving... pitch-perfect.’ David Henry Hwang, Tony Award-winning writer. The characters in the stories are on their journey to realize that there is so much more that the world has to offer. Spiritually inspired, they find the true essence of life; some through religious aspirations, some in marital bonds, and others through peaceful journeys.The grieving narrator reflects on nostalgic memories of their sacred time. The effect of the young girl’s imminent death on her loved ones is shown in a light and a matter-of-fact way, in a true Banana Yoshimoto style.

I was at a book launch, in a book shop, last week and while waiting for the author to appear I scanned the bookshelves and spotted this. For young people, particularly, this book is a must-read. It is one of those experiences that forces the reader to learn more about the people they never get to know in their communities. What a wonderful new discovery it can be to accept people different from ourselves, into our lives. Of course it counts for both immigrants and old inhabitants alike.Jadi, Saudara-saudara sekalian, pohon pengetahuan yang terlarang di surga itu bukan pohon apel. Tapi pisang. Ulangi kata-kata saya, PI-SANG! Hanya karena kesalahan penerjemahan bibel saja membuat orang awam jadi mengira buah yang menggoda Hawa itu adalah buah apel. The novel is brimming with loss, a tinge of nostalgia, and loneliness on the surface but just like Kitchen, this novel also ends in hope for human strength, beauty, and transcendence.

Many scenes from the novel depict Banana’s exceptional skill of sowing hope into the readers’ minds despite their circumstances. The true spirit of Yoshihiro in his son, the tender sweep of Haru’s beautiful hair, and the ghost of Shiori on the swings urging the mortals never to lose hope during the dark phases of life.When she published her first novel Moonlight Shadow she was a student at Nihon University Art College and was waitressing at a country club. The novel was a hit and she received the Izumi Kyoka Prize from her university. She has also won the Umitsubame First Novel Prize and the 16th Izumi Kyoka Literary Prize.