One character in that novel by this author is the transsexual Eriko, who became a woman after the death of his wife from cancer and who is killed by a stalker several months after her son, Yuichi invited the narrator to stay with them when her grandmother died; the narrator of that novel by this author, Mikage, is obsessed with the title room.
In an afterword on one work, this author compared that novel to El Topo and said that readers would identify one character, Sui, as either a fallen woman or as a bodhisattva. In that novel by this author, Otohiko has an affair with his half-sister, who also had an affair with their father, Sarao Takase, a fact which the latter included in that novel's namesake short story collection. One character in another work by this author complains about the inn where he is staying, because they only serve tofu, which prompts the narrator to travel all night from Izu to Isehara to bring him katsudon. One character in that novel by this author is the transsexual Eriko, who became a woman after the death of his wife from cancer and who is killed by a stalker several months after her son, Yuichi invited the narrator to stay with them when her grandmother died; the narrator of that novel by this author, Mikage, is obsessed with the title room. For 10 points, name this contemporary author of NP and Kitchen. 
In an afterword on one work, this author compared that novel to El Topo and said that readers would identify one character, Sui, as either a fallen woman or as a bodhisattva.
Yoshimoto Banana [or Yoshimoto Mahoko; prompt on "Banana" or "Mahoko"] 