My Year of Meats
So far in the book “My Year of Meats”, we get two different people and the story of how their lives will eventually come together. This book is more “with it” and up to date with the times, being the most latest released book we have read so far. I like how the book is straight forward, the facts are stated and there are no mysterious symbols and questions like “what is real and what is fake.” The book opens up with two characters Akiko and Jane, who have to do with the TV show “My American Wife!” The show is about America and the meats and traditions that are served at the American table. The two character’s lives at this time are surrounded by the “meats” and their paths will eventually cross.
Akiko is a small frail woman living with her husband whom wants to have children. Akiko’s husband “John” wants to fatten her up with meat so that she will get her period and bear him children. Akiko is oppressed, but chooses to stay that way not only because of tradition but because it is all she knows. Akiko has bulimia and through her poems she expresses the ability to have control over what she eats by “throwing it up” afterwards. Maybe this is Akiko’s way of standing up to her husband in the most subtle way. Does Akiko really want children? Or is her husband the one who forces it upon her? This is something Akiko could control, but she continues to stay thin and unable to bear children. One incident when Akiko went to get condoms was quite interesting in that she was so afraid that she had to degrade herself by buying condoms out of a vending machine. The fear of going to the store to buy them was too much to handle. John refused to buy them and made it Akiko’s job to do so. Is John having an affair behind Akiko’s back? He rarely seems to be present and seems unconnected with his wife, Akiko. I am interested to see what happens to Akiko next.
Jane is a producer for the show “My American Wife”. She seems strong and very into her work; it consumes much of her life. The man whom she sees is quite mysterious, always changing his look so Oh and Suzuki do not notice him. The two don’t notice, possibly because Jane says “All Americans look the same”. This is interesting because usually whites are the ones who say “Asians all look the same”. The stereotype is only one of the many in this book. How will Akiko and Jane come together? Their stories are similar but very different, and as we read on we will find out about their crossed paths.
