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Diary of a Void by Emi yagi
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Book Overview
The novel follows Ms. Shibata, a 34-year-old woman working at a cardboard tube manufacturing company in Tokyo. Fed up with being assigned all the menial tasks and unpaid labour simply because she’s the only woman in her department, Shibata makes a bold decision: she tells her colleagues she’s pregnant—even though she isn’t.
Almost instantly, the lie transforms her life. She’s excused from unwanted office chores, allowed to leave work early, and starts enjoying simple pleasures like long baths and restful evenings. With the help of a diary app that tracks imaginary stages of her “pregnancy” and a towel-stuffed shirt to complete the illusion, she commits to maintaining the ruse for nine months and beyond.
As the narrative progresses, Shibata’s pretense begins to feel surprisingly real, blurring the boundary between illusion and truth. What feels at first like a practical trick becomes a catalyst for self-reflection, raising questions about societal norms, the valuation of women’s work, and how identities are shaped by others’ perceptions.
With humour and absurdity, The Diary of a Void skilfully critiques expectations placed on women—whether at work, in relationships, or in life. It’s a playful but profound look at how far individuals might go for freedom, respect, and autonomy.
