Stupor and tremors (Anagram, 1999) is a novel by the writer Amélie Nothomb. It is written in autobiographical mode without losing the fictional tone. It was made into a film in 2003 by Alain Corneau thanks to the success of the book, especially in France.
Amélie is a Belgian girl who, at the age of twenty-two, is determined to integrate into Japan's disciplined world of work. On her trip to the country, she will experience the rigidity of the system and the progressive degeneration to which she is condemned. The girl resists despite everything, she turns an Amélie to the Japanese
Stupor and tremors: Japanese Amélie
nosedive
Amélie is a young graduate who leaves Belgium to start working in Japan. The story takes place in Tokyo and reviews the labor subordination that exists in the Japanese country. There he will learn, among other things, that his superiors are immediately below another person and the only important thing is to follow orders without reply or logic. Obedience and surrender gradually become various humiliations that will sink her and strip her of responsibility until she ends up taking care of cleaning the bathrooms of men. Amélie will accept it in her insane effort to fit into a social and work network that is inflexible with all its members.
The title of the novel refers to the way in which the subjects had to approach the emperor, with "amazement and trembling." A way of showing humility and eliminating all traces of one's own voice. It was a matter of honor, one of the most significant values of this culture. and what Amélie also wants to incorporate into her person. She shows that by tolerating all the changes, orders and tasks that are imposed on her. It's a nosedive after the rancidest honor. However, the work of observation and analysis of the character-author is highly suggestive and hurtful.
It is a novel from more than 20 years ago that at the time portrayed a current society, ruthless and without hesitation, and that can still be read in the same way today. It has little more than 200 pages in which he makes use of tremendous insight and a biting sense of humor. Traits that, on the other hand, are usually present in all the work of Amélie Nothomb.
Autobiographical novel
Stupor and tremors is essentially an autobiographical novel that shows the contrasts between East and West. Amélie's desire to integrate into Japanese culture goes beyond work, she seeks to delve into the customs and habits of the country. Amélie has grown up in Japan and, like the author, it is not a completely unknown place for her. Being able to work in a big company like Yumimoto is a great opportunity and an honor for the character. That is why he submits almost without question. in this way of working and living. Concepts that it is not entirely clear that they are separated.
However, Japanese customs and traditions are unbreakable and it is not easy to delve into them, interacting with others is a very big challenge. Amélie is also a young woman, and a foreigner in the eyes of others, so her worth and credibility are up in the air.. Likewise, the character of her direct boss, Fubuki, stands out, an attractive woman with whom she will have a relationship full of malice, but for whom Amélie will feel captivated.
Amélie Nothomb narrates in an agile way, without beating around the bush, Amélie's adventures in a severe and disciplined Japan. But for the record, she doesn't do it abruptly. Use all the sensitivity of which you are capable, with awareness of what you are counting and keeping great respect for the tradition of Japanese culture.
Conclusions
An original and witty novel full of analysis and burlesque situations that will delight the reader who is looking for a different novel about the Western perspective of someone who has known Japanese labor tyranny from the inside.. Because it should not be forgotten that it is an autobiographical novel with the intention of being one, although it also keeps a degree of fiction that keeps it far from being an autofiction book. In summary, Stupor and tremors is a book that teaches the difficulties of adaptation of a person who comes to live and work in a new country, the inevitable cultural clashes and the hope of one day being able to be part of it. Or not.
About the author
Amélie Nothomb is a Belgian writer born in Kobe (Japan) in 1967.. His father was a diplomat, so during his childhood and adolescence he moved with his family to different Asian destinations. He decided to study Romance Philology in Brussels to then leave for Japan where I would work in a large company as an interpreter. This experience is what marked her to write Stupor and tremors. She would later return to Belgium to start her literary career.
His extensive work has gained wide recognition in France. He belongs to the Royal Academy of French Language and Literature of Belgium for his contribution to Gallic letters. He has written novels and short novels, plays and short stories. Among the titles of this author are love sabotage, Metaphysics of tubes, Cosmetics of the enemy, antichrist, Sulfuric acid, Neither Eve nor Adam, command and command, High rise o First blood, among others.