Diary of a Void

In the prizewinning debut novel Diary of a Void, a woman named Ms. Shibata navigates workplace harassment by fabricating a pregnancy that allows her to evade menial tasks and societal expectations in her male-dominated office. As she enjoys a newfound freedom filled with leisure and self-care, her elaborate ruse becomes increasingly consuming, blurring the lines between her lie and reality. With a blend of surrealism and absurdity, this engaging narrative explores themes of female interiority and the complexities of motherhood while offering a thought-provoking look at the challenges faced by women in the workplace.