Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Kodansha America (1987), Paperback, 216 pages
Description
The problems of working families trying to care for aging parents is not just a phenomenon of the modern U.S.A. This is the novel of a Japanese family and the struggle, under sometimes unbearable pressures, to care for the husband's father through his decline and death.
User reviews
LibraryThing member xieouyang
As the title suggests, this is a novel about old age. But more than old age it's about caring for elderly, senile parents in Japan. Although this is a problem faced by many people in the U.S. already, it's a critical issue in the Japan of today. Compare these figures on the percent of populations
United States...13.5%
China ..............9.1%
Japan..............23.9%
That is, in Japan nearly one of every four people is 65 or older. That means they are not working and will likely need some kind of assistance in the future. Note that despite China's percentage being significantly lower than the US's, its situation will worsen very rapidly. High immigration rates in the US are keeping the number of young persons increasing. While in China with its one-child per family policy the number of young people is distressingly small.
Back to the story. It's about Akiko, a woman whose mother-in-law dies unexpectedly. Since her in-laws had moved to her house a few years back (actually, they had built a small cottage for the in-laws in their property), her father-in-law remains living there. Pretty soon it's apparent that Shigezo, the father-in-law, is senile and his wife (the mother-in-law now dead) had taken care of him and hid the problem from others. Now Akiko, her husband Nobutoshi and their son Satoshi are having to take care of him. But in reality Akiko is the one who bears the full burden.
The narrative movingly depicts the deterioration of Shigezo and the mental and physical stress of Akiko in trying to care for him. She's balancing house duties with her responsibilities at the office where she works. The author vividly shows the rigid attitudes of males in Japan and the high moral response of Akiko. Over time, Akiko begins to turn her duty into compassion and perhaps love for her father-in-law Shigezo.
This is a very moving book that tells the story of the situation that we are all facing, or will face, without resorting so much to the financial burdens of caring for an elderly, sick person. The focus is on the moral and filial responsibilities that seem to be such a rarity nowadays. The author is a woman who, naturally, can tell such a story with greater sensibility than I'd think a male author would.
I'd recommend this book highly for several reasons. One is the realistic way she treats the subject of senility. Second for the sensible manner in which she deals with the feelings and actions of the characters. Lastly for her depiction of the Japanese character, both male and female as well as the relationships between generations.
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that is 65 years or older (in 2012)United States...13.5%
China ..............9.1%
Japan..............23.9%
That is, in Japan nearly one of every four people is 65 or older. That means they are not working and will likely need some kind of assistance in the future. Note that despite China's percentage being significantly lower than the US's, its situation will worsen very rapidly. High immigration rates in the US are keeping the number of young persons increasing. While in China with its one-child per family policy the number of young people is distressingly small.
Back to the story. It's about Akiko, a woman whose mother-in-law dies unexpectedly. Since her in-laws had moved to her house a few years back (actually, they had built a small cottage for the in-laws in their property), her father-in-law remains living there. Pretty soon it's apparent that Shigezo, the father-in-law, is senile and his wife (the mother-in-law now dead) had taken care of him and hid the problem from others. Now Akiko, her husband Nobutoshi and their son Satoshi are having to take care of him. But in reality Akiko is the one who bears the full burden.
The narrative movingly depicts the deterioration of Shigezo and the mental and physical stress of Akiko in trying to care for him. She's balancing house duties with her responsibilities at the office where she works. The author vividly shows the rigid attitudes of males in Japan and the high moral response of Akiko. Over time, Akiko begins to turn her duty into compassion and perhaps love for her father-in-law Shigezo.
This is a very moving book that tells the story of the situation that we are all facing, or will face, without resorting so much to the financial burdens of caring for an elderly, sick person. The focus is on the moral and filial responsibilities that seem to be such a rarity nowadays. The author is a woman who, naturally, can tell such a story with greater sensibility than I'd think a male author would.
I'd recommend this book highly for several reasons. One is the realistic way she treats the subject of senility. Second for the sensible manner in which she deals with the feelings and actions of the characters. Lastly for her depiction of the Japanese character, both male and female as well as the relationships between generations.
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LibraryThing member jmoncton
Akiko's life is busy. This Japanese woman works full time outside of the home and cares for her husband, her high school son and her in laws who live in a small cottage adjacent to her house. But her life really gets crazy when her mother-in-law suddenly dies of a heart attack. Now Akiko takes on
This story hit very close to home for me. My parents are elderly and finding care for them is not only a logistics nightmare, but a subliminal source of guilt. Shouldn't I take on the role of dutiful daughter and care for them? I could empathize with Akiko's life that becomes an endless day as a caregiver. But the biggest gem for me was how Akiko finally comes to terms in her relationship with her father-in-law. Beautiful story and very touching.
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the task of preparing meals, laundry and daily chores for her father-in-law, Shigezo. What quickly becomes apparent after her mother-in-law's death is that Shigezo suffers from dementia and not only is prone to wandering the streets but also needs help dressing and daily hygiene. Akiko struggles with the conflict of maintaining her role as a modern Japanese working woman and the traditional expectations of keeping home for her family and in-laws. This story hit very close to home for me. My parents are elderly and finding care for them is not only a logistics nightmare, but a subliminal source of guilt. Shouldn't I take on the role of dutiful daughter and care for them? I could empathize with Akiko's life that becomes an endless day as a caregiver. But the biggest gem for me was how Akiko finally comes to terms in her relationship with her father-in-law. Beautiful story and very touching.
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LibraryThing member nobooksnolife
I read this splendid novel about 20 years ago, and now that I'm old myself (!) I want to re-read it. This is what I wrote about it in 1989:
A novel of the dilemma of aging in modern Japanese society and a moving depiction of the role of woman in post-war Japan. Ariyoshi quietly champions the
The story unfolds without unnecessary dramatics or self-pity, yet reveals the strength of women in dealing with life itself, which in this case means dealing with death. The everydayness in the novel is subtle, yet unexpectedly striking, similar to that special quality in Ozu Yasujiro's movies, capturing life without romance, making the statement that it is not life's high and low moments of drama, but rather its complete mundanity which one must transcend. Individual humanity lies only rarely in heroic acts or works of genius, but more commonly resides in our everyday actions, such as caring for family members.
Excellent literature.
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A novel of the dilemma of aging in modern Japanese society and a moving depiction of the role of woman in post-war Japan. Ariyoshi quietly champions the
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situation of a middle-aged married woman who also works outside the home and who must suddenly shoulder the responsibility of caring for her aged, senile father-in-law. The story unfolds without unnecessary dramatics or self-pity, yet reveals the strength of women in dealing with life itself, which in this case means dealing with death. The everydayness in the novel is subtle, yet unexpectedly striking, similar to that special quality in Ozu Yasujiro's movies, capturing life without romance, making the statement that it is not life's high and low moments of drama, but rather its complete mundanity which one must transcend. Individual humanity lies only rarely in heroic acts or works of genius, but more commonly resides in our everyday actions, such as caring for family members.
Excellent literature.
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LibraryThing member SqueakyChu
This novel is a slow, careful telling of how one Japanese family deals with an aging family member, Shigezo. I was interested in the reactions of closest family members - Akiko (the daughter-in-law and primary caregiver), Nabutoshi (the son), and Satoshi (the grandson) - to Shigezo's increasing
There are two apt quotes about aging in this novel that I want to share:
1. “I really hate the (senior) Centre. All I see there are old people.”
My dad refused to participate in "senior" activities when he was in his sixties because he also had that perception. It's funny how people see "age" over "individuals".
2. "It suddenly occurred to her that perhaps it was because the elderly were not needed that their situation was so pathetic."
The latter quote hit me unusually hard because it was during my reading of this book that I myself was laid off from my employment (at age 66) and forced into sudden and unexpected retirement. What irony!
Nevertheless, for those who love learning about social issues, other cultures, and do not mind the absence of high drama in a novel, this book is quite beautiful and worth the read.
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senility and loss of bodily functions. Maybe I found it intriguing because I'm a nurse? As I was reading, I did note the differences of care-giving and involvement in this example within the Japanese culture as opposed to how I perceive the same family situation would have played out in my own country, the United States. There are two apt quotes about aging in this novel that I want to share:
1. “I really hate the (senior) Centre. All I see there are old people.”
My dad refused to participate in "senior" activities when he was in his sixties because he also had that perception. It's funny how people see "age" over "individuals".
2. "It suddenly occurred to her that perhaps it was because the elderly were not needed that their situation was so pathetic."
The latter quote hit me unusually hard because it was during my reading of this book that I myself was laid off from my employment (at age 66) and forced into sudden and unexpected retirement. What irony!
Nevertheless, for those who love learning about social issues, other cultures, and do not mind the absence of high drama in a novel, this book is quite beautiful and worth the read.
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LibraryThing member JolleyG
In Sawako Ariyoshi's novels she often addresses social problems, and this book is no exception. Here she takes on the problem of caring for the elderly who are descending into senile dementia, or Alzheimer's. In male-centered Japan, the burden of care falls on the women in the family.
The heroine
Akiko's husband and son are both seen as cowardly and squeamish when it comes to taking care of physical issues, and Akiko has to overcome her repulsion because there is no one else. Although there are some senior centers available for activities during the day, intensive care of the elderly is not generally available to most people in Japan, which means that most care must be given in the home.
Akiko is nearly driven mad while taking care of her father-in-law and is sleep deprived most of the time. Her struggle to persevere is told in a very sympathetic way, but this novel could be depressing to those people who don't have the stomach to face all the terrible details involved in dealing with this challenge.
The heroine
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of this book, Akiko Tachibana, has a fairly responsible full-time job, but it is up to her to stay home and deal with her father-in-law when her mother-in-law dies and they discover that he no longer recognizes most people in the family and that he can't take care of most of his basic needs.Akiko's husband and son are both seen as cowardly and squeamish when it comes to taking care of physical issues, and Akiko has to overcome her repulsion because there is no one else. Although there are some senior centers available for activities during the day, intensive care of the elderly is not generally available to most people in Japan, which means that most care must be given in the home.
Akiko is nearly driven mad while taking care of her father-in-law and is sleep deprived most of the time. Her struggle to persevere is told in a very sympathetic way, but this novel could be depressing to those people who don't have the stomach to face all the terrible details involved in dealing with this challenge.
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LibraryThing member Kristelh
This novel is by one of Japan's leading women writers. It was translated by Mildred Tahara. The author focus is on social problems and in this book she addresses the problem of caring for the elderly in a modern society. The story is of the Tachibana family. They live in Tokyo and both work out of
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the home. His parents live next door. Everything changes for Akiko when her mother-in-law suddenly dies. In the first few pages the reader is introduced to a Japanese wake. Akiko is the only one her father-in-law will respond to in his senility. Akiko is desperate but also a strong woman as she responds to nights without sleep and days of caring for her elderly father-in-law. She finds very little support in her community and even in her own family. The Tachibana family face the fear of their own aging as they care for the father. Show Less
Language
Original language
Japanese
Original publication date
1972
Physical description
216 p.; 7.1 inches
ISBN
0870118528 / 9780870118524