Selected Shorts: "Adios, Sayonara, Goodbye!" – April 24, 2025

Host: Symphony Space's Meg Wolitzer

Episode Overview

In the April 24, 2025 episode of Selected Shorts titled "Adios, Sayonara, Goodbye!", host Meg Wolitzer invites listeners to explore the emotional landscapes of letting go and the complexities of parting ways. Through three intricately woven contemporary Japanese short stories, the episode delves into themes of decluttering, historical weight, and the irresistible pull of enchanting creatures. Each narrative is brought to life by renowned actors, offering a blend of whimsy, melancholy, and profound insight.

Story 1: "Hawaii" by Aoko Matsuda

Reader: Maria Dizia

Timestamp: [01:03] – [14:30]

"Hawaii" is a whimsical yet poignant tale that personifies objects and explores their secret lives. The story centers around a sweater that hasn't been worn for three years, residing in a luxurious hotel paradise. Through rich, imaginative descriptions, the sweater interacts with other garments and experiences the transient joy of tropical fruit juices by the poolside.

Key Points:

• Personification of Objects: The sweater, along with other garments like the floral print dress and the patchwork shirt, exhibit human-like behaviors and desires.
• Theme of Decluttering: The narrative metaphorically addresses the emotional and practical challenges of moving and letting go of possessions.
• Contrast Between Permanence and Transience: While the sweater finds solace in the paradise of the hotel, there's an underlying sense of impermanence, highlighted by the changing juices and the eventual decision to leave.

Notable Quote:

"Tomorrow, it would tell itself. Most days. Tomorrow I really will get out and see a bit of the island."
— Sweater, [10:17]

Host's Commentary: Meg Wolitzer reflects on the blend of whimsy and melancholy in the story, appreciating the idea of an afterlife for beloved objects. She muses, "If indeed there is an afterlife for formerly beloved pieces of clothing, I do hope for others, a heaven for thrice-used kitchen gadgets, a paradise for pristine acoustic guitars, a nirvana for tattered holiday decorations." Wolitzer emphasizes the universal struggle of emotional decluttering and the bittersweet relief that comes with letting go.

Story 2: "Sunrise" by Erika Kobayashi

Reader: Rita Wolf

Timestamp: [15:45] – [24:00]

"Sunrise" is a deeply moving narrative that intertwines personal history with the monumental events of nuclear development in Japan. The story is presented through the eyes of Yoko, recounting her mother's life against the backdrop of Japan's post-war atomic history. It explores the intertwining of personal loss, historical trauma, and the relentless passage of time.

Key Points:

• Historical Context: The narrative situates Yoko’s family within the significant events of Japan's nuclear advancements, linking personal experiences with national history.
• Generational Impact: The story highlights how the actions and experiences of one generation ripple through the lives of the next.
• Symbolism of Light and Darkness: Light is both a source of life and a harbinger of destruction, embodying the duality of nuclear power and personal enlightenment.

Notable Quote:

"The wind came up, swaying the branches of the cherry trees. They reminded me of the cherry trees at the shore. I could not remember clearly what the mermaid had looked like, or the distinct feeling of not wanting to be away from her."
— Yoko, [47:20]

Host's Commentary: Meg Wolitzer observes the story's balance between historical weight and personal loss, noting how light and darkness play pivotal roles. She articulates, "As much as the story grapples with the weight of the past and the loss of loved ones, it ends on a note of optimism and a sense that renewal is almost inevitable." Wolitzer appreciates the nuanced portrayal of navigating through both profound inhuman forces and intimate human moments.

Story 3: "I Won't Let You Go" by Hiromi Kawakami

Reader: Hugh Dancy

Timestamp: [27:40] – [56:25]

"I Won't Let You Go" is an enchanting tale that blurs the lines between reality and myth. The story follows Enomoto, a painter and high school teacher, and his neighbor who becomes irresistibly drawn to a mermaid he rescues. Their shared obsession with the mermaid leads to profound personal transformations and reflections on attachment and release.

Key Points:

• Interplay of Reality and Fantasy: The mermaid serves as a metaphor for irresistible desires and the complexities of letting go.
• Psychological Depth: The characters' increasing obsession with the mermaid highlights the challenges of breaking free from what captivates us.
• Mutual Transformation: Both Enomoto and his neighbor undergo significant changes as they navigate their feelings towards the mermaid and each other.

Notable Quote:

"If you don't mind, I'd like to get your advice, Enomoto said. I traipsed up the stairs and rang the bell for apartment 402."
— Narrator, [30:00]

"We have to send her back, I tried to say, but nothing came out."
— Narrator, [47:20]

Host's Commentary: Meg Wolitzer draws parallels between the story's arc and the essence of good storytelling. She states, "The arc of that story parallels what good stories do in general. Sweep us up in them, keep us in thrall, refuse to let us go." Wolitzer emphasizes the intoxicating nature of compelling narratives and the inherent difficulty of letting go, whether it's about objects, memories, or relationships. She poignantly connects this to real-life experiences of moving and personal growth, suggesting that release paves the way for new beginnings.

Conclusion

"Adios, Sayonara, Goodbye!" masterfully intertwines fantastical elements with profound human emotions, offering listeners a contemplative journey through the acts of holding on and letting go. Each story, enriched by the evocative performances of its readers, invites reflection on personal attachments, historical legacies, and the delicate balance between desire and release. Through Selected Shorts, Meg Wolitzer not only entertains but also resonates deeply with the universal experiences of change and the bittersweet beauty of farewell.

Notable Quotes Highlighted:

• "Tomorrow, it would tell itself. Most days. Tomorrow I really will get out and see a bit of the island."
  — Sweater, "Hawaii," [10:17]

• "The wind came up, swaying the branches of the cherry trees. They reminded me of the cherry trees at the shore. I could not remember clearly what the mermaid had looked like, or the distinct feeling of not wanting to be away from her."
  — Yoko, "Sunrise," [47:20]

• "We have to send her back, I tried to say, but nothing came out."
  — Narrator, "I Won't Let You Go," [47:20]

This summary captures the essence and key elements of the "Adios, Sayonara, Goodbye!" episode of Selected Shorts, providing an engaging overview for those who have yet to listen.