1Q84

An ode to George Orwell's "1984" told in alternating male and female voices relates the stories of Aomame, an assassin for a secret organization who discovers that she has been transported to an alternate reality, and Tengo, a mathematics lecturer and novice writer.

Have seen this before; hstess at Cucina 24 in Asheville, NC was reading it when we went in for dinner on Wednesday 25 April, 2012.

Black rain

on page 305 of Escape from Amsterdam, the film is mentioned.

The 1989 Japanese version: A woman caught in fallout during the bombing of Hiroshima returns to her village, where she is ostracized and considered unsuitable for marriage. There is another film with the same title that is only on VHS. And a third film, with Michael Douglas and Andy Garcia, is a piece of shit.

Twenty-four eyes

An elegant, emotional chronicle of a teacher's unwavering commitment to her students, her profession, and her sense of morality. It takes a simultaneously sober and sentimental look at the epic themes of aging, war, and death.

Madadayo

Set in postwar Japan, the film follows the last two decades in the life of Hyakken Uchida, a free spirited writer and teacher, highlighted by his relationship with his students who venerate him in his old age.

Biruma no tategoto

An Imperial Japanese Army regiment surrenders to British forces in Burma at the close of World War II and finds harmony through song. A private, thought to be dead, disguises himself as a Buddhist monk and stumbles upon spiritual enlightenment.

Natsuo Kirino

Kirkus: From Kirino (Grotesque, 2007, etc.), a tale of teens driven to extremes.

Kirkus: Horrifying violence lurks a hairsbreadth beneath the surface of drab modern Tokyo in veteran Kirino's award-winning English-language debut.

Michael Simon recommended these; they are not my usual fare, but might be worth a read.