Fear and Trembling

by Amélie Nothomb

The Yumimoto Corporation provides 22-year-old Belgian Amélie with plenty of culture shock and plenty of reasons to approach her job with fear and trembling. She is the low person on the totem pole; in fact, she is the lowest. With degrading task after degrading task, her supervisor, Fubuki, pushes young Amélie to greater and greater depths. But the young woman hangs on, in spite of everyone.

An interesting and amusing look at Japanese workplace culture. Recommended by Linda Knorr, trusted readers' advisor. Also, look for the film.

4/23/06