<p><b>N.P.</b> is the title of a last collection of short stories by a celebrated Japanese writer. Written in English while he was living in Boston, the book may never see print in his native Japan: each time a new translator takes up the task, death gets in the way.<br><br><b>N.P.</b> is an extraordinarily powerful story of passion and friendship, the nature of love and the taboos surrounding it, confirming Banana Yoshimoto''s place as one of Japan''s most important writers.<br><br>''The voice of young Japan.'' <i>Independent on Sunday</i></p>