The Waiting Years

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The beautiful, immature girl brought home to her husband was a maid only in title; her true mission was to become his mistress. This humiliation spiraled as his insatiable lust ensnared another young woman, and the relationships among these women formed a complex, evolving web over the years. Among them was Suga, the innocent girl from a respectable but poor family; the lively, boyish Yumi; and the flirtatious Miya, who found her father-in-law more reliable than his brutish son. At the center was Tomo, the wife, whose tragic yet dominating presence was constrained by an old-fashioned code, her passionate heart held in check until the end. In a series of vivid, unforgettable scenes, the author masterfully explores the intricate dynamics within the ill-fated Shirakawa family. As Japan's leading female novelist and a member of the prestigious Art Academy, she employs a graceful, evocative style reminiscent of the Tale of Genji, coupled with deep insight into her characters. Rooted in female psychology, her women are distinct yet universally feminine, leaving a lasting impression. With this work, a significant literary voice makes her debut in the Western world.