Despite being one of Japan�s most popular writers in the first half of the 20th Century, Hayashi Fumiko (1903-1951) has remained virtually unknown outside of her country.
Susanna Fessler of the Department of East Asian Studies has made a comprehensive attempt to suggest the scope and texture of this novelist, short story writer, poet and essayist. Wandering Heart: The Work and Method of Hayashi Fumiko (SUNY Press, 1998) employs a thematical narrative to weave together major events in Fumiko�s life and show their effect on her voluminous output.
The very best of Fumiko, says Fessler, belongs in the literary canon of Japanese literature. The author�s particular style of imagery, the theme of centrality of longing and loneliness, the influence of travel on her life and work, the non-political nature of her narratives, and the importance of free will in her world view all emerge clearly � and, at her best, vividly and profoundly.
"I think Fumiko�s greatest talent was as a novelist, then as a short story writer," said Fessler. "Her poetry was of a new wave style for its time and isn�t very satisfying. Her essays are often quite interesting, but disorganized."
Much of Fumiko�s work has not been translated into English to this point, but Fessler does so with numerous key passages, three full essays and critical commentaries. "The numerous translations are accurate and fluent, often quite moving," said Stephen Snyder of the University of Colorado. "She draws from so many works, representative of so many periods, that the conclusions she draws are convincing," said Ruth Forsythe of Winona State University.
"Professor Fessler�s eminently readable book explores new territory in the field of modern Japanese literature and sets a new higher standard of scholarship on Hiyashi Fumiko," said James Hargett, chair of the Department of East Asian Studies.
Fessler joined the University faculty in 1994, three years after becoming interested in Fumiko as a graduate student at Yale University. "I was in search of a dissertation topic," she said, "and after reading one of Fumiko�s early novels I said, �Okay, I�ll do her.�
"I think the book may have value for current graduate students interested in Japanese literature. I hope through the book they will learn about her, including some of her work translated, and then pursue the rest of her work in Japanese."
Fessler says that Fumiko is not a writer "who loses much in translation. Her most representative work would be well worth translating. I believe there is work being done in that direction now."
Vinny Reda