Weasels in the Attic
by Hiroko Oyamada
A Quietly Unsettling Masterpiece
There are affiliate links on this page, which means I may receive payment at no charge to you for purchases made through any links on this page.
Sometimes the most haunting books are the quietest. Weasels in the Attic by Hiroko Oyamada is just 96 pages long, but it lingers like a strange dream you can’t quite shake. Spare, sharp, and deeply symbolic, it reads fast but echoes long after you’ve closed the final page.
The Story
At its surface, this is a minimalist narrative about three quiet encounters between two men. They talk about fish. About babies. About the weasels making noise in the attic. Nothing dramatic happens and yet, it’s incredibly tense.
Oyamada masterfully captures that uniquely Japanese style of restraint: what isn’t said weighs heavier than what is. There’s a claustrophobic energy to these brief chapters, as if the walls are closing in and no one’s acknowledging it.
Themes and Symbolism
You could read this as a story about masculinity, domestic roles, aging, or even the inability to connect. The fish in the tanks. The mother who never leaves the baby’s side. The attic. The weasels. Every image holds weight and if you spend time unpacking the symbolism (and you should), the whole thing gets even weirder, more layered, and oddly satisfying.
Why It Worked for Me
There’s something about the way Oyamada writes that feels both razor-sharp and dreamlike. It’s a book that invites interpretation but never forces it. I loved that. And while it’s a quick read, it’s one I’ll revisit, if only to catch more of what I’m sure I missed.
Recommended If You Like
Minimalist Japanese fiction
Short stories that demand a second read
Symbol-heavy literary fiction
Where to Read:
Weasels in the Attic is available in English translation from New Directions.
Buy on Amazon • Bookshop.org • Maybe at your local library (WorldCat.org)
Looking for your next read?
My Asian Era is where literature meets culture with thoughtful reviews, quiet voices, and stories worth slowing down for.
📚 Join the My Asian Era Book Club
Join the conversation in the My Asian Era book club on Fable
Not on Fable yet?
📘 Download the app here
