Diary of a Void: A hilarious, feminist read from the new star of Japanese fiction

Discover this critically acclaimed and provocatively innovative novel, ideal for those who enjoyed "Convenience Store Woman" and "Breasts and Eggs." With accolades like "incredibly thought-provoking" from Stylist and praise from The New Yorker for its passionate portrayal of women's inner lives, this book offers a unique narrative. Ms Shibata, the protagonist, embarks on an extraordinary act of deception for women everywhere by pretending to be pregnant. Her pretense begins with refusing to tidy up coffee cups and cigarette butts at work, claiming that as a pregnant woman, she can't tolerate the odors. The twist is, Ms Shibata isn't actually expecting a child. Maintaining this elaborate act for nine months proves challenging but consuming, as she utilizes cleverly stuffed shirts and a pregnancy-tracking app to support her charade. Over time, the line between her fabricated story and reality starts to blur. This surreal, yet meaningful tale explores the nuances of womanhood today and shows how Ms Shibata's clever ruse serves as a form of subtle defiance. This masterful work, translated from Japanese by David Boyd and Lucy North, is sure to captivate and challenge readers' perceptions.