November 3, 2003
Japanese-American documentary filmmaker Jane Takagi Little seems to have found the perfect job producing My American Wife,
a program sponsored by American beef exporters that introduces Japanese housewives to "typical, wholesome" American wives, their families and their beef recipes. Jane and her crew travel around the U.S., filming wives and their families as they make beef dinners. Meanwhile, in Tokyo, shy Akiko has been driven to bulimia by her domineering and abusive husband, John, who works with the beef exporters on the show. John insists that Akiko watch the show, cook, gain weight and get pregnant. Over the course of the "year of meats," Jane begins to feel guilty about exploiting the wives, confused about her romantic life and disturbed by the sordid secrets she uncovers about meat production. Inspired by Jane's increasingly subversive episodes (particularly the segment on lesbian vegetarians), Akiko gradually realizes what she wants out of life and finds the courage to reach for it. Narrator Fields gives a sterling performance, vividly bringing to life the many disparate voices—from Jane's sharp-tongued mother to the various housewives on the show. Ozeki's prior experience producing similar shows for beef lobbyists and obvious compassion for Jane, combined with Fields's empathetic performance, make this a worthwhile listen. Based on the Viking hardcover.
September 13, 2024
Out-of-work documentarian Jane Takagi-Little's career takes an unexpected turn when she agrees to produce My American Wife!, a television program sponsored by BEEF-EX to promote American beef in Japan. The novel follows Jane as she ventures across the U.S. to film picture-perfect wives and their meat-centric meals. Jane becomes disillusioned by the corrupt meat industry and gradually turns from frothy entertainment to investigative journalism. Meanwhile, housewife Akiko Ueno, tries to escape from the harm wrought by her husband, a brutish BEEF-EX advertising executive. Originally released in 1998, Ozeki's (Timecode of a Face) debut novel still dazzles in this new audio version narrated by the author. Set in the early 1990s, Jane's year-long venture is a reflection on globalization, women's roles in society, and the sordid history of the U.S. meat industry. Ozeki's intimate relationship with her characters is palpable through her careful narration of seemingly meek Akiko juxtaposed with her portrayal of ostensibly confident Jane. VERDICT In today's increasingly corporate-sponsored media-driven world, Ozeki's 25-year-old novel is as relevant as ever. This new audio rendition is the perfect avenue to revisit her beloved debut.--Laura Hammond
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