By the end of this year, English readers will have access to three Hiroko Oyamada novells in four years: 2019’s The Factory, 2020’s The Hole, and the forthcoming Weasels in the Attic (out this October). All released through New Directions and all translated by David Boyd, these novellas (well, I can’t speak on the upcoming) encapsulate mystery and confusion and tradition and politeness and fear.
The Factory is so damn strange and strange and strange! Serious Get Out vibes reminiscent of that scene where the woman says, "No no no no no...you can't leave!" I read The Hole first and this The Factory is just as strong. Both are Lynchian and full of more questions than answers and I loved every page.
While reading the sparse eeriness of The Hole, I found myself thinking of it as a companion piece for Max Porter's Lanny. New family in new countryside with strange folkloric presence sweeping through the area. Elements of Leonora Carrington and Brian Evenson also come to mind. The Hole is a great novella. One that really started to pick up around page 50 and was a speedy page-turner all the way until the chilling end.
While I have yet to read Weasels in the Attic, I anticipate this 96 page novella, one that Goodreads describes “setting its sights on the overlooked aspects of contemporary Japanese society, and does so with a surreal sensibility that is entirely her own.” Will Oyamada be three for three? I’m certain of it.
Speaking with the author of the debut poetry collection Reveille (Flood Editions, 2025).
Speaking with the author of Easy Tiger & Holy Smokes
Speaking with the author and illustrator about his new book and more
Speaking with the author of Black Swan Theory.
Speaking with the poet, novelist, and educator.
So many damn books (complimentary)
Speaking with the Chicago-based poet.
Speaking with the NYC-based poet & co-host of Straight Girls reading series.
Speaking with the Asheville-based novelist & short story writer.
Speaking with writer and translator Hedgie Choi, who recently released her debut poetry collection.
An interview with the highly prolific prose poet and collage artist.
I read (a lot) more novels this year than ever before.
An animated short film by Asher McShane, inspired by one of my poems.
Speaking with the poet, curator, and visual artist.
Speaking with the novelist and short fiction writer.
Alina Pleskova’s debut collection, out now with Deep Vellum.
Percival Everett is quickly becoming my favorite living novelist.
Bob Hicok’s newest linked collection of grief.
An interview with the Indianapolis-based prose poet & board game enthusiast.
The books that held me to together in 2023.
Speaking with the poet, short story author, and screenwriter.
Another outstanding year for reading poetry, short fiction, novels, and more.
A glitched out, fragmented chapbook.
A second interview with one of my favorite poets, celebrating his sophomore collection.
A book about being in-between the noise. Available in Danish and English.
The debut poetry collection from a Midwestern gem.
