Madeleine Thien, a writer, reads and discusses Yoko Ogawa's 2004 story 'The Cafeteria in the Evening and a Pool in the Rain' on The New Yorker Fiction Podcast. Thien admires Ogawa's ability to tap into something beyond language, explores the protagonist's relationship with a dog, speculates on the identities of the characters, and discusses the ending's positive tone despite not being a fairytale ending.
The story explores themes of memory and the indifference of things, highlighting the impact of past experiences on the narrator's solitude.
The podcast emphasizes the power of specific images and experiences to evoke intense emotions and shape perceptions.
The podcast delves into the theme of displacement and loss of appetite, raising questions about trauma and the search for connection.
Deep dives
Isolation and Solitude
The narrator is left alone in a house for three weeks before her wedding, and she doesn't feel lonely despite being by herself. Her isolation raises questions about her past and the reasons for her solitude.
Meeting the Man and the Boy
During a walk with her dog, the narrator encounters a man and a boy standing by a window at a school cafeteria. They have a cryptic conversation about anguish, and the encounter leaves a strong impression on the narrator.
Themes of Memory and Indifference
The story explores themes of memory and the indifference of things. The narrator experiences memories and emotions that are difficult to express or define. There is a sense of things happening without consideration for individuals, like the rain falling without thought for the dog's feelings.
The Power of Specific Images: A Journey into Memory and Emotion
The podcast explores the power of specific images and their ability to evoke intense emotions and memories. The narrator encounters a man and his son who seem to have no home and engage in various odd activities. The man shares three stories from his childhood, including witnessing a strange scene in a school cafeteria, his experiences in a swimming pool, and a memory of visiting a dilapidated chocolate factory with his drunk grandfather. These stories are filled with vivid and unsettling details that reflect primal fears, lost livelihoods, and a sense of displacement. Through these stories, the narrator and the listeners are drawn into a world where specific images and experiences leave a lasting impact on the characters and shape their perceptions.
Displacement and the Loss of Appetite: The Impact of Traumatic Experiences
The podcast delves into the theme of displacement and the loss of appetite caused by traumatic experiences. The man's memories of a disturbing scene in a school cafeteria and the sight of the food preparation process haunt him and lead to an aversion towards cafeterias and a loss of his ability to eat. These experiences are connected to a sense of anxiety, fear, and a struggle to find a place within a group. The man's encounter with the narrator and their conversations about these traumatic experiences provide a cathartic release for both characters. The story ends with the narrator feeling a weight on her chest, a desire to confess something to the man, and a sense of melancholic longing as he prepares to leave. Through the exploration of displacement and loss of appetite, the podcast raises questions about the effects of trauma and the search for connection and understanding.
The story in The New Yorker’s November 27, 2023, issue is “Beauty Contest,” by Yoko Ogawa, translated from the Japanese by Steven Snyder. Ogawa was not able to read her story for The Writer’s Voice, but, on a recent episode of the New Yorker Fiction Podcast, the writer Madeleine Thien read and discussed Ogawa’s 2004 story “The Cafeteria in the Evening and a Pool in the Rain,” and we wanted to share that episode with you instead. We hope you enjoy it.
