Book Review: Diary Of A Void by Emi Yagi

‘Diary of a Void’ is a feminist novel by Emi Yagi, which was published in 2022. It follows the life of Ms Shibata, the only woman in her office, who is subconsciously obligated to do menial tasks for her male colleagues such as make coffees, prepare snacks that clients have gifted the firm and clear meeting rooms of the coffee cups left behind by her colleagues.

One day, in a bid to get out of performing these tasks, she asks for someone else to retrieve the coffee cups from the meeting room because the smell will trigger her morning sickness, except, Ms Shibata isn’t pregnant.

It works, however, and behaviour in the office slowly begins to change, she doesn’t have to stay at the office until late at night, instead she can simply go home at five, indulge in self-care, eat nutritious food and indulge in her hobbies. A pregnant Ms Shibata has a much better work-life balance. And, because of that, she decides to play the long con, despite having ample opportunities to lie to her colleagues, end the discussion declaring she had a miscarriage and offer no further comments on it.

The reader follows Ms Shibata as she embarks on her journey into motherhood, stuffing her clothes, binge eating, downloading a pregnancy app to track her theoretical infant’s size, and taking part in aerobics classes for pregnant women. Except, the lines begin to blur, as if she is having a baby!

Ms Shibata is a fascinating character, who has strong feelings about her workplace culture but as the only woman in the office, lacks the capacity to inspire change without leaving. Comfortable in her role at work, she does the next best thing, and takes maternity leave instead, her job ready for her to come back to twelve months later, after what to her would be the best part of a year’s paid vacation.

She’s witty, critical and nurturing to her non-existent child, and is a refreshing, unreliable narrator that was interesting to follow. The threat of being caught out is ominous and lingers throughout the book.

I genuinely haven’t stopped thinking about it since I finished the book, I’d highly recommend it.