Girl in a Box: A Novel

Jean Gordon Kocienda

The Tangled Life of the Japanese Poet Yosano Akiko

In early twentieth century Japan, women have few rights. Yet one precocious poet—a brooding daughter, locked in her room at night by protective parents—runs away from home to live a life of her choosing. She falls in love with a fellow poet and follows him across Siberia to Paris, where they witness the last days of the Belle Époque.

She perseveres through poverty, back-to-back pregnancies, infidelity, earthquake, and fire, to become a name every Japanese schoolchild knows today as a pioneering feminist poet and the first person to translate the classical Tale of Genji into modern Japanese. In her single-minded dedication to her art, she inflicts wounds on a daughter that echo from her own childhood. She sets out to make amends, knowing it may be too late.

Based on the life of poet Yosano Akiko (1878-1942) and filled with original translations of her poetry, Girl in a Box will ignite the discussion about the female artist’s challenge to create while juggling family, career, and personal freedom. Historical fiction at its best.

Praise for Girl in a Box

“This book is a page-turner—it was pure delight to absorb myself in the life of this extraordinary woman and poet.” 

—Mia Kankimäki, author of The Women I Think About at Night

“Jean Gordon Kocienda gives us Yosano Akiko whole: girl, woman, writer, wife, mother, widow. Fully imagined and emotionally true. A convincing and compulsively readable portrait.” 

—Gaye Rowley, author of Yosano Akiko and The Tale of Genji 

About the Author A former intelligence officer and Silicon Valley geopolitical analyst, Jean Gordon Kocienda is now focused on writing and volunteering with refugee families in the Bay Area. Jean holds a B.A. in English Literature (Colgate University) and M.A. in International Affairs (George Washington University). Currently nestled in the redwoods of Marin County with her husband and cats, she has lived in Japan and speaks Japanese. She is President of the California Writers Club Marin Chapter.

Thursday, April 23, 6PM | Dominican University of California

BOOK LAUNCH: Jean Gordon Kocienda in conversation with Dr. Judy Halebsky

Set women artists free! Join Jean Gordon Kocienda at the lovely Victorian Edgehill Mansion at Dominican University of California in San Rafael at 6 pm on Thursday, April 23 for the launch of her book, GIRL IN A BOX. This event is coordinated In partnership with Book Passage and books will be on sale at the event.

Find more information on the event HERE and get your ticket HERE​

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