The Japan Society’s online book club turns to The Third Love by Hiromi Kawakami, newly available in English in Ted Goossen’s translation.
The book
The novel follows a married woman who escapes into dreamlike lives across different historical periods, encountering love in new forms while questioning marriage, desire and intimacy. Reality and fantasy blur as the story considers how love changes over time.
About the author
Kawakami is also known in English for Strange Weather in Tokyo, The Nakano Thrift Shop, Record of a Night Too Brief and Under the Eye of the Big Bird. She won the Akutagawa Prize for “A Snake Stepped On”.
Joining the discussion
The meeting begins online at 19:00 GMT on Monday 9 November. Advance Zoom registration is required, and access details are sent in the confirmation email. The organiser does not publish an end time.
Attendance is free for Japan Society members. Non-members are welcome, with a recommended £5 donation rather than a mandatory ticket price.
Online access
There is no physical venue or travel requirement. The public listing does not state age guidance, live-captioning, recording or other online-access arrangements, so contact the organiser before registering if those details matter. Use the official book club page for registration and current information.
Cover image
Original AI-generated thematic illustration. It does not reproduce the book cover or depict Hiromi Kawakami, Ted Goossen, the actual meeting or organiser branding.