| The Eighth Day | |
| Author: | Mitsuyo Kakuta |
| Translator: | Margaret Mitsutani |
| Country: | Japan |
| Language: | English |
| Publisher: | Kodansha |
| Pub Date: | 2007 |
| Isbn: | 9784770030887 |
The Eighth Day (or Yokame no semi, 八日目の蟬 in kanji) is a 2007 Japanese language novel by Japanese author Mitsuyo Kakuta. It was translated into English by Margaret Mitsutani in 2010. The book is known for its characterization of women especially. It was later adapted into a TV drama,[1] and then as a film in 2011.[2] The author received the 2007 Chūō Kōron Literary Prize (中央公論文芸賞) for the novel.[3]
A work with theme of motherhood. Consists of two chapters in total (3 chapters including the prologue Chapter 0) depicting the three-and-a-half-year escape story of Nonomiya Kiwako, a woman who kidnapped the baby of her adulterous partner, and the conflict of Erina Akiyama, the baby who became an adult after the incident. Although it is suspenseful, everyday elements such as birth, love, and family are depicted in a unique way.
See main article: Rebirth (2011 film).
The film focus on Chapter 2 of the novel. As the protagonist, Erina Akiyama cannot find peace with her family and starts a journey to confront her past. She makes a life-changing decision after discovered what is important to her, which is her rebirth.