Kitchen
by Banana Yoshimoto, Megan Backus
Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto, Megan Backus holds a well received rating of 3.83 out of 5, based on 25.8K reader ratings. First published in 1988. The book spans 160 pages.
About Kitchen
Banana Yoshimoto's novels have made her a sensation in Japan and all over the world, and Kitchen, the dazzling English-language debut that is still her best-loved book, is an enchantingly original and deeply affecting book about mothers, love, tragedy, and the power of the kitchen and home in the lives of a pair of free-spirited young women in contemporary Japan. Mikage, the heroine of Kitchen, is an orphan raised by her grandmother, who has passed away. Grieving, she is taken in by her friend Yoichi and his mother (who was once his father), Eriko. As the three of them form an improvised family that soon weathers its own tragic losses, Yoshimoto spins a lovely, evocative tale that recalls early Marguerite Duras. Kitchen and its companion story, "Moonlight Shadow," are elegant tales whose seeming simplicity is the ruse of a writer whose voice echoes in the mind and the soul.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Banana Yoshimoto, Megan Backus |
| Published | 1988 |
| Pages | 160 |
| Genres | Fiction, Fiction, Romance |
| Average Rating | 3.83 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 25,797 |
Reader Ratings & Analysis
Rating Overview
How It Compares
Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Kitchen?
Kitchen is categorized as Fiction, Fiction, Romance. Its primary genre classification is Romance.
Is Kitchen worth reading?
Based on 25.8K reader ratings, Kitchen has an average score of 3.83 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is Kitchen?
Kitchen has 160 pages. It is a relatively quick read.
Who wrote Kitchen?
Kitchen was written by Banana Yoshimoto, Megan Backus. It was first published in 1988.
What is the ISBN for Kitchen?
The ISBN-13 for Kitchen is 9780802142440.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
