A subtle and haunting scenario about living a shadow of an existence.
“The person she most reminds me of is Mei-shan, a friend I had in elementary school. . . Could it be you? We lost touch after your returned to China, but. . . have you really come back all this way . . . to see me . . .?”
The Woman in the Purple Skirt by Natsuko Imamura
The Woman in the Yellow Cardigan tells us about The Woman in the Purple Skirt, the local celebrity of the neighbourhood, who sits on the park bench and eats her cream bun, without bothering any of the community members around her. But, slowly, Purple Skirt becomes involved in life around her as Yellow Cardigan finds her a job as a housekeeper at the hotel. Soon, Purple Skirt’s business is not her own. In fact, whose business is it? Who is this story about?
The eeriness of this story creeps up on you as you become immersed in the life and drama of the Japanese Women.
If you liked The Vegetarian and The Hole, this novella might be right up your alley.