Abstract

Winner of the 174th Naoki Prize, ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE CAFE is "our story from a hundred years ago," stories of women working as waitresses at a cafe in Ueno, Tokyo.

Each and every one of them is a lovable character, strong and graceful. --Harada Hika

This work depicts the lives of ordinary women from the Taisho to Showa eras through the work of waitresses, a job that mirrored the times. From the author of "Tasukigake no Futari" comes a deeply moving new work.

Cafe Saigyo, a relatively unfashionable establishment in a corner of Ueno, Tokyo, doubles as a restaurant and coffee shop, serving as a local neighborhood hangout. There are waitresses with unique personalities who entertain customers at this cafe. Taiko, who draws attention with her Yumeji Takehisa-esque makeup; Sei, anxious about her lack of progress in her novel-writing training; and Sonoko, an older, newbie who surprises the liar but caring Midori with a bold lie. They all worked cheerfully at Saigyo, finding their own paths to live.

Author’s Information

Born in Tokyo in 1969. In 2016, Shimazu won the 96th All-Readers Newcomer Award for "Ane to Imouto" (Sister and Younger Sister). In 2019, she made her debut as a writer with the short story collection "Snack Graveyard," which includes the same work (retitled "The Cat in the Parking Lot" when it was released in paperback). In 2013, she won the 174th Naoki Prize for "On the Way Home from the Cafe." Her other works include "Two People Wearing a Tasuki (Sash)." Her works have also been included in anthologies such as "The Cat Knows" and "Our Special Day: An Anthology of Weddings, Funerals, and Other Ceremonies."