Banana Yoshimoto

Banana Yoshimoto is a Japanese writer born in Tokyo in 1964.
* She is the daughter of the poet and critic Takaaki Yoshimoto.
* She graduated from Nihon University's College of Art with a major in literature.
* She adopted the pseudonym "Banana" while in college, after her love of banana flowers.
* Her first novel, Kitchen, was published in 1988 and was an instant success.
* She has since published several more novels, including Norwegian Wood, Asleep, and Goodbye Tsugumi.
* Her work has been translated into over 30 languages and has sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
* She is considered one of the most important Japanese writers of her generation.
* She is a popular figure in Japan and has been featured in several magazines and television shows.