"Here in Tokyo’s neighborhood of secondhand bookstores is our little bookshop. It’s full of little stories. And it holds within its walls the thoughts"Here in Tokyo’s neighborhood of secondhand bookstores is our little bookshop. It’s full of little stories. And it holds within its walls the thoughts and hopes and feelings of a great many people.”
It was wonderful to revisit Tokyo’s Jimbocho neighborhood and the Morisaki Bookshop once again, the story picks up with Takako, her uncle Satoru and Satoru’s wife Momoko who has returned to her husband after years apart. Takako is now gainfully employed in a design studio, having moved on from the events described in the previous book and is now in a new relationship. Satoru and Momoko are running the bookshop, but Takako often spends her free time at the ship and fondly remembers the time she spent living in the apartment above. The narrative follows the joys, sorrows and struggles of these characters, their friends and their customers as they go about leading their daily lives.
But when tragedy strikes, it is up to Takako to remind her uncle how important the bookstore is to everyone around them and how their love for books and reading can help them through the most difficult of times.
“When I’m sad, I read. I can go on reading for hours. Reading quiets the turmoil I feel inside and brings me peace. Because when I'm immersed in the world of a book, no one can get hurt,”
More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa (translated by Eric Ozawa) is a short and simple yet emotionally moving story that revolves around themes of family, love, grief, healing and personal growth, and the of course, the magical power of books and bookstores. Whereas the previous novel focused on Takako’s journey as she dealt with heartbreak and disappointment, the second book in the series revolves around the interpersonal dynamics between people in Takako’s life and the role the Morisaki Bookstore plays in their lives. The pacing is on the slower side and despite the slightly stilted writing, I thought that the story flowed well. I loved the setting and thought that the characters were well thought out. I found the quirky characters amusing and enjoyed the literary references. There were a few subplots that were left unexplored and I certainly hope we get the opportunity to meet these characters again. I wish we had learned more about the neighborhood and the second-hand book business, but this does not detract from my overall experience.
“People forget all kinds of things. They live by forgetting. Yet our thoughts endure, the way waves leave traces in the sand.”
Though this is the second in a series, this book can be read as a standalone.
Many thanks to Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
“I feel nostalgic, nostalgic for what I’ve not yet lived.”
Set in the small town of Milly, France, Forgotten on Sunday by Valérie Perrin (transla4.5⭐️
“I feel nostalgic, nostalgic for what I’ve not yet lived.”
Set in the small town of Milly, France, Forgotten on Sunday by Valérie Perrin (translated by Hildegarde Serle) revolves around twenty-one-year-old Justine Neige, a nursing assistant working at a retirement home named The Hydrangeas. Justine is an orphan, raised by her grandparents with her cousin Jules, after their parents perished in a road accident when they were children. She is close to Jules, whom she considers more her brother than cousin. In terms of personal relationships, she chooses to indulge in casual flings and consciously shies away from deeper romantic relationships. She genuinely enjoys her job caring for the elderly and spends much of her time listening to their stories. She is particularly close to ninety-six-year-old Hélène Hel. Encouraged by Hélène’s grandson, Justine begins to write Hélène’s story – her love for Lucien, the WWII years, and the events and choices that shaped Hélène and Lucien’s lives. Hélène’s revelations inspire Justine to reflect on her own life and seek answers to questions about her family history and the tragedy that upended their lives. As the narrative progresses, we follow Justine as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and Hélène as she relives her memories. The retirement home also faces a trying situation when an anonymous caller devises a creative strategy of ensuring that its residents are not “forgotten on Sunday” by relatives who are reluctant to visit them.
“You know, when you've lost the person you loved most in the world, you lose her every day.”
This is my third time reading Valérie Perrin. I loved both Fresh Water for Flowers and Three and was eager to read Forgotten on Sunday, which was her debut novel only recently translated into English and I’m glad to say I was not disappointed!
Revolving around themes of friendship, family, love, loss, remembrance, and healing, this is a beautifully penned, profoundly moving story that inspires thought and reflection. Valérie Perrin’s characters are always well thought out - complex, flawed and thus, realistic and relatable. The author seamlessly weaves multiple timelines into a compelling narrative. I was invested in Justine’s journey and found Hélène’s story captivating and loved how the author brings all the threads of the story together. The tone of this novel leans toward melancholic, though there are splashes of humor to be found in the story. I loved the symbolism of the seagull and how the author depicts the significance of the same in both past and present timelines. This is a relatively short novel, but the author takes no shortcuts and allows us the opportunity to explore these characters – their motivations, their dreams, triumphs and regrets - with much depth and insight. The author addresses several sensitive topics -aging, loneliness, the horrors of war, trauma, grief, self-acceptance and the importance of human connection – with maturity and compassion.
This is the kind of story that stays with you long after you have turned the last page.
"Life takes away and gives back at the same time."
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Elisabeth Lagelée who does a remarkable job of breathing life into the story. Many thanks to Dreamscape Media for the ALC via NetGalley.
All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on June 4, 2024.
I found the premise of Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder by Asako Yuzuki (translated by Polly Barton) to be truly intriguing. The plot revolves 3.5⭐️
I found the premise of Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder by Asako Yuzuki (translated by Polly Barton) to be truly intriguing. The plot revolves around Rika Machida, a thirty-three-year-old journalist who pursues a story on the suspected serial killer, Manako Kajii who enticed men she met on dating sites with her lavish cooking and extracted huge sums of money from them. After three of her suitors were found dead under mysterious circumstances, the now thirty-five-year-old Kajii was found guilty and is currently awaiting her second trial after appeal while being held in a detention facility. Initially reluctant to talk to Rika, she agrees to meet her after Rika expresses her interest in Kajii’s cooking. Though Kajii refuses to talk about the case, she is more than eager to share her views on food (butter being an integral ingredient in her recipes) and as the narrative progresses, we follow how Rika’s approach to life, her worldview, and of course, her relationship with food changes and beliefs about body image change as she is drawn into Kajii’s world.
Inspired by true events (the 2012 case of the 'Konkatsu Killer' Kanae Kijima), this is a slow-moving lengthy character-driven novel that touches upon themes of friendship, food and culture, family, misogyny, societal expectations, feminism, body image and self-acceptance. The story primarily revolves around how Rika’s life is impacted as a result of her association with Kajii and her obsession with Kajii as a person which often derails her from her investigative intentions before she begins to see Kajii for exactly who she is. Kajii is an interesting character- straightforward, unapologetic and shrewdly manipulative. All the characters are well thought out and the descriptions of the food and Kajii’s recipes make for interesting reading. I particularly enjoyed how the author incorporates folklore into the narrative and found how the parallels between the same and the events in the novel are drawn fascinating.
Please note that the “murder” element is not a central theme of this novel, which I did find a bit disappointing. Several sub-plots are woven into the story and I did feel that the narrative digressed often and lost momentum as it progressed. The author has touched upon several relevant themes in this novel and the author is brutally honest in her depiction of the unpleasantness that women have to deal with in terms of body image and how the same affects one's sense of self-worth. Despite the slow pace and digressions, the story is engaging and kept me invested as details from both Rika’s and Kajii’s lives were gradually revealed with several twists and surprises along the way. Though I didn’t enjoy the novel as much as I had hoped (which I believe was partly because I expected a bit more focus on the criminal aspect), I certainly found it to be an interesting read.
Many thanks to Ecco for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on April 16, 2024.
Until August by Gabriel García Márquez (translated by Anne McLean) revolves around forty-six-year-old Ana 3.5⭐ (rounded up because I liked the ending)
Until August by Gabriel García Márquez (translated by Anne McLean) revolves around forty-six-year-old Ana Magdalena Bach and her annual visits (on the 16th of August) to the island where her mother is buried. Ana’s itinerary includes a visit to the cemetery where she places a bouquet of her mother’s favorite flowers and indulges in a one-night stand with a different man every year before she returns to her family – her musician husband of over two decades and her two adult children. One of her trysts ends in a humiliating gesture and she carries both the emotional and physical reminder of the same through the years. Every visit to the island and her experiences with the men she meets inspires her to reflect on her actions, her marriage and her family. In sparse prose we are given insight into her hopes and motivations, her internal conflict and much more in a journey of self- explorations with a thought-provoking ending.
A departure (in terms of theme and approach) from the nature of Gabriel García Márquez’s more famous works, this is not the author at his best but for those of us who have enjoyed the author’s work in the past, it won’t be difficult to appreciate the segments that shine with author’s brilliant writing. But sadly, that is all we can expect from this short novella. I have no doubt had this manuscript been developed into a full-length novel with well-fleshed-out characters, and their motivations and relationships explored deeper; this would have been a worthy addition to the author’s oeuvre.
Please read the Preface to the novel where the author’s sons discuss their decision to publish this novella posthumously despite his wishes to discard the draft manuscript. A segment of this novella (translated by Edith Grossman) was previously published (1999) in the form of a short story.
I appreciate the publisher including printed pages from the author’s unfinished manuscript in the end pages of the hardcover edition. This in itself makes this a copy I will cherish as a part of my personal collection just like my treasured hardback edition of Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky that includes similar material between its covers.
- Do I regret reading this book? No - Do I think this unfinished manuscript should have been published as a novella? Probably not. - Am I happy that I could read part of what could have been another masterpiece written by one of my favorite authors? Absolutely
Many thanks to Knopf for the gifted copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Note: The short story Meeting in August (translated by Edith Grossman) was published in the December 6, 1990 issue of The New Yorker Magazine and is available in the Archives section. I don't think this can be accessed without a subscription, but I am sharing the link here
“Here the idea persists that if you admit that you’ve done something wrong and then show remorse because you’ve had a difficult childhood, or a 3.75⭐️
“Here the idea persists that if you admit that you’ve done something wrong and then show remorse because you’ve had a difficult childhood, or a trauma, or are different from the rest, you will rehabilitate better. That’s a word I find really ridiculous, rehabilitate. As if there’s such a thing as a possibility that you could ‘return to a former condition.’ That’s what it says in the dictionary. Return to a former condition. As if time allows, as if time pauses and will wait for you while you get your shit in order. Time does what it wants and you fight against it.”
Confrontations by Simone Atangana Bekono (translated by Suzanne Heukensfeldt Jansen) revolves around sixteen-year-old Salomé Atabong, daughter of a Cameroonian father and a Dutch mother, living in the Netherlands sentenced to six months in juvenile detention for a violent act, the details of which are gradually revealed. The narrative follows Salome as she comes to terms with the consequences of act of the violence she committed, her resistance to being “rehabilitated”, her equations with her family members, and her friction with the psychologist she perceives as racist on account of insensitive remarks made while a participant in a reality show some years. Complicating matters further for her are her father’s terminal diagnosis and the treatment meted out to her and her fellow detainees by the authorities of “the Donut” as they refer to the detention facility.
With sparse yet poetic prose, sharp writing, and complex characters, this novel is an intense read. The author does a remarkable job of depicting Salomé’s complexity and confusion. Her underlying anger toward the world around her is palpable, as is her pain. In the course of her journey of self-exploration, Salome ponders over the circumstances that led her to act the way she did, attempting to analyze her motivations, her sense of self-worth and her plans for the future. The story touches upon themes such as racism and racial identity, societal expectations and stereotyping, bullying and violence, detention and rehabilitation of minors and terminal illness, among others. The narrative is a tad disjointed and constantly switches between past and present (often abruptly), which takes a bit of time to get used to but overall, I found this to be a powerful, thought-provoking read.
Many thanks to Bloomsbury USA for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Confrontations was published on January 30, 2024.
Under the Storm by Christoffer Carlsson (translated by Rachel Willson-Broyles is an exceptionally well-written, immersive novel that I could not 4.25⭐
Under the Storm by Christoffer Carlsson (translated by Rachel Willson-Broyles is an exceptionally well-written, immersive novel that I could not put down.
“There’s this word, used by old men and women around here. It comes across their lips like sinister smoke when someone is a little mean or nasty, when a place or thing has this unpleasant, uncanny feel to it: kymig.”
The novel begins in Marbäck, Halland, Sweden with the discovery of the body of a young woman after a house fire in November 1994. The ensuing investigation implicates her boyfriend twenty- five-year-old Edvard Christensson whose troubled background and family history make it easy for the community and law enforcement to vilify him. Edvard was subsequently convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in May 1995. The narrative follows Officer Vidar Jörgensson who was part of the investigation and Isak Nyqvist Edvard’s nephew, seven years old at the time, both of whom are haunted by the case for their own reasons.
The narrative is shared from the perspectives of Vidar and Isak and structured in three parts spanning over two decades. This is a slow-paced, lengthy, character-driven novel with a murder mystery at its core. The vividly described setting, the small-town dynamics and deep character studies are deftly woven into the procedural aspect of the story. Vidar spends the next few decades conflicted about the thoroughness of the investigation, unsure of whether he put an innocent man in prison. Isak’s life and worldview changed when his uncle, whom he loved and trusted, was imprisoned. He fears that he might go down the same road as that of his uncle and grandfather before him. Compelled to delve deeper into what truly happened all those years, both Vidar and Isak are unable to let go of the past and this impacts their present relationships. The author brilliantly captures both the psychological trauma Isak carries into his adulthood and the guilt and self-doubt experienced by Vidar. Despite the slow pace, at no point did I lose interest in the story. There were enough red herrings along the way to add an element of surprise to the finale, which I did feel was a tad overwhelming. However, the journey to end more than makes up for the same. Outstanding character development, intense emotional depth and powerful writing render this novel an absorbing read. However, if you prefer plot-driven, fast-paced thrillers, this book might not be the right choice.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series (the translated version of which was released before this one!).
Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Random House for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Under the Storm was published (in the US) on February 27, 2024.
“As if trying her best to mend a broken friendship from her childhood, she immersed herself into the books, day and night, never leaving their side. I“As if trying her best to mend a broken friendship from her childhood, she immersed herself into the books, day and night, never leaving their side. It didn’t take long for their treasured relationship to rekindle. The books welcomed her back with open arms without judging the person she’d become, and accepted her for who she was.”
In the wake of her divorce and burned out from a demanding career, Yeongju, a woman in her mid-late thirties, decides to make a fresh start and pursues her dream of owning a bookshop. Being surrounded by her favorite books and the responsibility of running her own business gradually prompted her to embark on a journey of healing and self-acceptance. It’s not an easy road and there will be moments of self-doubt, the stress of running an independent bookshop and unresolved past trauma but along the way, she meets several people who will become an integral part of her daily life – peers, colleagues, friends –those who look to her for inspiration and from whom she receives kindness and support enabling her to effect positive changes in her life.
"Isn’t that what life is about? Forging forward with the answer you have – stumbling along the way and picking yourself up – only to one day realise that the answer you’ve held on to for a long time is not the right one. When that happens, it’s time to look for the next answer. That’s how ordinary folks, like herself, live. Over our life span, the right answer will keep changing.”
I found Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum (translated by Shanna Tan) to be an insightful, charming and thought-provoking read. There is no doubt of how avid readers feel about the role of books in their lives. A bookshop is a haven for book lovers and The Hyunam-Dong Bookshop is no exception. I loved how the author tackles the theme of second chances, not only in terms of one’s career trajectory but also in terms of relationships. The characters and their struggles are real and relatable. Topics such as divorce, job satisfaction and career choices, loneliness and depression are addressed with compassion, wisdom and maturity. From a teenager on the cusp of adulthood to weary adults searching for direction everyone else in between, Yeongju’s bookshop provides a sense of security, belongingness and community– whether one wants to sit with a favorite book or in a corner pondering over life or share confidences over a cup of coffee. I thoroughly enjoyed the segments on the daily activities involved in running a bookshop as well as the book references mentioned throughout the narrative. It was a joy to read about Yeongju’s love for books, her courage to start over and how she inspires others to effect change in their lives in the course of her own transformative journey of healing and self-renewal.
The narrative does suffer from minor repetitiveness but this does not detract from the overall reading experience. The pace is on the slower side, but this suits the nature of the story. Overall, this is a beautifully penned novel that needs to be read with time and patience.
“Every one of us is like an island; alone and lonely. It's not a bad thing. Solitude sets us free, just as loneliness brings depth to our lives.”
Many thanks to Bloomsbury USA and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published in the USA on February 20, 2024.
“But the era/ of progress/ and the world's/ conscience/ does not contain/ the full history of their land”
Aednan by Linnea Axelssonn (translated by Sas“But the era/ of progress/ and the world's/ conscience/ does not contain/ the full history of their land”
Aednan by Linnea Axelssonn (translated by Saskia Vogel) is a brilliantly penned novel-in-verse that shall definitely go on my list of favorite reads this year. To be honest, I was hesitant to pick this one up as I’ve never been completely comfortable with the format, but I have to say that reading Aednan (which means the land, the earth and my mother in Northern Sámi) is an experience that will stay with me.
A story about family, community, displacement and forced migration, intergenerational trauma and the struggle to preserve and protect one's cultural identity, this saga is shared through several voices, spanning over a century and tells the story of the nomadic Sámi community through the eyes of the members of two families.
“We were to be driven/from the forest fells/lakes//migration paths and songs/had to be stifled/stricken from memory”
The Sámi people originally inhabited an area where the borders of Norway, Sweden, and Finland met. This is where the story opens in 1913, where we meet Ber-Jona and his wife Ristin and their sons, Aslat and Nile. With the political changes in the region, border policies and governmental legislations restricting the movement of the reindeer herding Sámi community’s migration routes between their summer destination in Norway and their winter camps in Sweden. As the narrative progresses, in the wake of a family tragedy, they are forcibly displaced from their summer homes in Norway, leaving behind much more than just their homeland. Over the years, after being uprooted repeatedly, they ultimately settle in Norrbotten County in Sweden, forced to assimilate into a culture and land far removed from their own. The story continues with Lise in the 1970s – also a descendent of the reindeer herding Sámi community, one of a generation of Sámi who were forced to attend the Nomad Schools where they were taught to associate with Swedish culture and language and are gradually stripped of their indigenous identity.
“But of our own/ history not a word/ was written// as if our/ parents and we/ had never existed// had never shaped/ anything”
Unwilling to share her childhood experiences with her inquisitive daughter Sandra, who grows up to be an activist, Lise internalizes her trauma. We follow Sandra as an adult, her desire to connect with her roots, her activism and resilience and her desire to preserve and protect her heritage. The author references the legal battle between the Girjas Sami Village and the Swedish government in this context and how modern history needs to enlighten the present generation of all that has never been written about or has been deliberately erased from its pages.
“Our land// of course is one/ they've never/even seen//Do they even know/ how we have been/ removed between/ four nations”
Written in simple yet elegant prose, Aednan is a beautifully penned novel-in-verse. Incredibly moving and impactful, the sparse yet evocative prose and the vivid imagery render this novel an absorbing read. The author explores the community’s connection to nature and how the trauma of their displacement from not only their land but also their way of life impacts the generations that follow when forced into occupations that gradually drain their souls. Ristin, Lise and Sandra are women from different generations – but the legacy of grief and displacement they carry finds its way into their personal relationships, their sense of self-worth and their respective worldviews. We also hear from several characters connected to these three women including the voice of a young boy whose soul follows his family as they migrate as he lies in a grave across the border as well as Per, Lise’s son whose life and struggles are in deep contrast to that of his sister. I will admit that the non-linear nature of the narrative in the latter half of the novel took a moment to get accustomed to, but the author captures the sense of each era and each voice skillfully, weaving the narrative voices through the generations into a coherent soulful saga. This was my first time reading about the Indigenous Sámi community and I’ve spent hours reading up on the historical events mentioned in this novel. It is easy to draw parallels between the injustices experienced by Indigenous communities across the world throughout history and the treatment meted out to the Sámi people.
Heartbreaking yet powerful and memorable, this book left me with a heavy heart.
“Isn't it about time/ that their children/ also learn to hear/the voices/ of our shared/ history”
Many thanks to Knopf for the gifted copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Aednan was published on January 09, 2024.
Ten-year-old Thomas and Bess, the woman was supposed to be looking after him, disappear during a blizzard in the Interior Alaska region. Benedict4.5⭐️
Ten-year-old Thomas and Bess, the woman was supposed to be looking after him, disappear during a blizzard in the Interior Alaska region. Benedict, the boy’s only family, his neighbors Cole and Clifford and Vietnam War veteran Freeman who has recently relocated to Alaska, brave the elements as they search for Bess and Thomas all the while aware that chances of survival in this weather are slim. Unbeknownst to them, Bess got separated from Thomas after leaving the house with him and is also searching for him. As the narrative progresses, we get to know more about these characters - their past traumas, secrets, and motivations - and it is gradually revealed that the inclement weather isn't the only threat in their midst.
Blizzard by Marie Vingtras (translated by Jeffrey Zuckerman) is an exceptionally well-written novel that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who enjoy character-driven fiction. Despite its short length, this is a heavy read that touches upon several sensitive topics, including PTSD, substance abuse and sexual abuse, among others. The narrative is shared in the first-person POV in well-paced (slower in the beginning but quickens as the narrative progresses), short chapters from the perspectives of Bess, Benedict, Freeman and Cole. Initially, you might question how their individual stories connect but despite the short length of the novel, the trajectory of each of these characters (even the utterly despicable ones) is well-developed and the author skillfully integrates each of their backstories into the present-day narrative without missing a beat, bringing all the threads of this story together for a satisfying ending.
With complex characters, a rugged atmospheric setting, tense and gritty with quite a few surprises along the way, this short novel is a gripping immersive read I finished in one sitting.
Many thanks to ABRAMS Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Blizzard was published on January 23, 2024.
Please note that in addition to the sensitive topics touched upon in the narrative, the story also features instances of behavior and dialogue that are blatantly racist and misogynistic.
The Goodbye Cat by Hiro Arikawa (translated by Philip Gabriel) is a collection of seven stories revolving around the relationship between cats and theThe Goodbye Cat by Hiro Arikawa (translated by Philip Gabriel) is a collection of seven stories revolving around the relationship between cats and their humans as told from the perspectives of seven cats and their families with much wisdom, heart, and humor. Written in simple prose, the stories vary in length and tone and touch upon themes of love, loyalty, companionship, family and grief.
In the first story, The Goodbye Cat (4/5), we meet an elderly cat who endeavors to change into a supernatural spirit so that death won't separate him from his human family. A new father rescues a kitten from a recycling bin and in caring for it, learns much about fatherhood. Bringing Up Baby (4/5). A family is perplexed by their new cat’s devotion to their indifferent father in Good Father/ Bad Father (4/5). In Cat Island ( 5/5), we follow a young boy’s experiences on a trip to an island inhabited by cats with his father and his new wife. Her cat’s nightly visits are a cause for a woman’s annoyance in The Night Visitor (3/5). In Finding Hachi (4/5), we follow a young boy as he adopts an abandoned kitten and the events that led up to his having to give it up. In the final story, Life Is Not Always Kind(4/4), a young man visits his former professor in the hope that he will adopt his cat.
Heartwarming, emotional and bittersweet, these stories will strike a chord in your heart, irrespective of whether you are a cat person or not. I will admit to having shed a few tears along the way. I enjoyed this collection of stories but didn’t love it as much as The Travelling Cat Chronicles, which was a 5⭐️ read for me.
I would recommend reading Hiro Arikawa’s The Travelling Cat Chronicles before picking this up, given that we revisit the characters (human and feline) in the final two stories.
Many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Goodbye Cat was published in the USA on October 10, 2023.
“There are many crossroads in life. All regrets stem from what happened at one moment we never imagined would happen to us. When our own action b4.5⭐️
“There are many crossroads in life. All regrets stem from what happened at one moment we never imagined would happen to us. When our own action brings about an unexpected result, how can we not experience huge regret? After all, do we ever get another shot?”
Before We Say Goodbye by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (translated by Geoffrey Trousselot) is the fourth installment of the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series and personally one of my favorites (along with Book #2, Tales from the Café ).
Set in Café Funiculi Funicula in Tokyo, we meet an interesting cast of characters (both old and new) – café regulars, owners and staff and first-time visitors who come to the café for the unique experience of time travel. The rules are the same and no one can change their past. Then why go back? Love, regret, nostalgia, guilt, the need to say goodbye and to share what was left unsaid. In four interconnected stories we meet a former professor who spent most of his life busy with his career desires to speak to his wife who is now bedridden after an accident; a husband wants his wife to take the opportunity to say goodbye to their beloved dog Apollo who passed on while she was dozing; following a cryptic message left by her deceased former boyfriend a young woman visits the café to meet him for the last time and finally a young woman hopes to say goodbye and apologize to her deceased father for her behavior toward him during their last meeting.
The beautifully written, insightful and heartwarming stories inspire pause and reflection. This short novel left me with a lump in my throat and a smile on my face. Definitely recommended for fans of the series and can be read as a standalone.
Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Before We Say Goodbye was published in the United States on November 14, 2023.
Dragon Palace by Hiromi Kawakami ( translated by Ted Goossen) is a fascinating collection of short stories that revolve around themes of transformatioDragon Palace by Hiromi Kawakami ( translated by Ted Goossen) is a fascinating collection of short stories that revolve around themes of transformation, human behavior and emotion and surrealism.
In the first story Hokusai (3/5), we follow a strange encounter between a depressed young man and a person who claims to have once been an octopus. In Dragon Palace (4/5), a young woman is visited by her great-grandmother, who was once a god who used a creative method of manipulating her followers. Fox’s Den(3/5) follows the relationship between a fifty-three-year-old caregiver and her elderly patient. In Mole (5/5), we meet an anthropomorphized who holds an office job in the human world and shelters unhappy and lonely human beings in his home in an underground hole. We follow a married young woman, unhappy with her life and interactions with her boyfriend, neighbors and the deity that inhabits her kitchen in The Kitchen God (4/5). The Roar (3/5)chronicles a young boy’s life as he grows u in the boy grows up in the successive care of his older sisters, each of whom is very different. We meet a woman who is in a relationship with her four-hundred-year-old ancestor in Shimazaki (3.5/5). A woman who was once asea horse recalls her life on land, her yearning for the ocean and her thoughts about her husbands and children, one of whom is like her in Sea Horse (5/5).
With simple language and striking imagery and symbolism, the author takes us on an enthralling journey with unique characters and their interesting (to put it mildly!) backstories. The stories are inspired by folklore and myth and heavily rely upon metaphors and magical realism to present the human condition and the similarities and differences in human and animal instincts. Though I can’t say that I enjoyed all the stories in equal measure, overall, Hiromi Kawakami does not disappoint!
Many thanks to Stone Bridge Press and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this collection of stories. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This collection of stories was published on September 19, 2023.
In 1876, Norway, seventeen-year-old Brynhild Storset is embroiled in an affair with a man who leaves her after she gets pregnant and ends the aff3.5⭐️
In 1876, Norway, seventeen-year-old Brynhild Storset is embroiled in an affair with a man who leaves her after she gets pregnant and ends the affair in a vicious act of violence. She eventually emigrates to America joining her sister, Nellie, in the Midwest takes up work as a maid and seamstress. She changes her name to Bella (later Belle) and strives to begin a new life. However, her past haunts her and she is consumed by guilt and shame and an inherent mistrust of those around her. Belle gets a fresh start, marrying a man who loves her, and taking in abandoned children, thereby fulfilling her desire for love and family. However, Belle’s life is not one of happily ever afters but one of disillusionment and anger towards a world that fails to evoke any feeling of belongingness within her and as the narrative progresses we follow Belle as she embarks on a journey of violence, greed and crime.
I found the premise of My Men by Victoria Lielland (translated by Damion Searls) very interesting. A fictional account of the life of Belle Gunness, one of America’s most notorious serial killers, this is a short novel and a relatively quick read. The writing is dense and immersive with a melancholic, slightly sinister tone to it. Belle’s inner thoughts are written in an almost stream-of-consciousness style - disjointed, often collapsing upon each other, clearly indicating how she gradually becomes unhinged. It is difficult to fathom Belle’s motivations - a fact that keeps you hooked to the narrative. While I did enjoy the powerful writing, I had hoped that Belle’s life would have been covered in more detail. The narrative focuses more on Belle’s psyche rather than the actual incidents/crimes per se, some of which are revealed, some alluded to, and some glossed over toward the end of the novel. Do note that some descriptions are of a graphic (and gross) nature.
Many thanks to Astra Publishing House and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be released on June 27, 2023....more
Librarian Sayuri Komachi greets all visitors at the library at Hatori Community House with this simple question, the answer to which doesn’t alwa4.5⭐️
Librarian Sayuri Komachi greets all visitors at the library at Hatori Community House with this simple question, the answer to which doesn’t always come easily to the person to whom the question is directed.
“What are you looking for?”
Along with her recommendations, she adds a title that is seemingly unrelated to the patron’s query. She also adds a handmade ”bonus gift” to her patrons, that strangely resonates with the person on a deeply personal level.
“Life is one revelation after another. Things don’t always go to plan, no matter what your circumstances. But the flip side is all the unexpected, wonderful things that you could never have imagined happening. Ultimately it’s all for the best that many things don’t turn out the way we hoped. Try not to think of upset plans or schedules as personal failure or bad luck. If you can do that, then you can change, in your own self and in your life overall.”
What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama (translated by Alison Watts) follows the stories of five such people, each of whom is searching for a purpose or a new direction in life. A twenty-one-year-old sales assistant feels stagnated in her career and is unable to find value in her work-life, a thirty-five-year-old accountant feels trapped in his regular job but hesitates to sacrifice stable employment in the interest of pursuing his passion for antiques as a career; an unemployed thirty-year-old aspiring illustrator is consumed by thoughts of his unfulfilled dreams to be an artist; a forty-year-old former magazine editor transferred to an unfulfilling but less demanding position after returning from maternity leave struggles with her need to branch out while maintaining a work-home balance and finally a recent retiree who questions his worth in society. After a life devoted to his career. Each of these characters, though at different junctures in life, is plagued by feelings of self-doubt and insecurity, but Ms. Komachi’s helpful suggestions prove to be profoundly impactful.
Through these five interconnected stories, the author explores the need for human connection, friendship, community and above all, the fact that change and personal growth are possible at every stage in life. This short novel is an ode to the role of libraries, librarians and the transformative power of books. How books enable readers to gain perspective and inspire clarity of thought and personal change is an underlying theme in this novel. I do wish we had gotten to know a bit more about the kind and perceptive librarian Ms. Komachi, which is my only complaint.
“Readers make their own personal connections to words, irrespective of the writer’s intentions, and each reader gains something unique.”
Beautifully written in simple yet elegant prose, with realistic and well-thought-out characters and situations, insightful and inspiring, this is a sweet and heartwarming read. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would not hesitate to recommend it to those who enjoy stories that revolve around libraries and the profound impact of books and reading on our lives.
Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
“Standing Heavy: designates all the various professions that require the employee to remain stan3.5⭐️
*Shortlisted for International Booker Prize 2023*
“Standing Heavy: designates all the various professions that require the employee to remain standing in order to earn a pittance”
Standing Heavy by Gauz (translated by Frank Wynne) revolves around the experiences of three undocumented immigrants from Côte d’Ivoire who take up jobs as security guards in shopping centers around Paris.
The narrative is divided into three interconnected parts /timelines with snippets detailing the keen (often humorous) observations and experiences of security guards manning the entrance of branches of Sephora in Paris. The Bronze Age (1960-1980) focuses on Ferdinand, an immigrant who reaches Paris and takes up a job as a security guard. In the Golden Age (1990-2000), we meet Ossiri, a former teacher who gives up the monotony of his teaching job and travels to Paris hoping to change his fortunes where meets fellow immigrant Kassoum. Ferdinand, now, operating as a subcontractor, secures positions for them as security guards at an abandoned flour mill in shifts. The Age of Lead follows these characters and how their living situations and employment opportunities are affected by the policies and politics in response to the threat of terrorism in the post-9/11 era. In the course of the stories of our three central characters, we also follow the politics, impact of colonialism and its aftermath as well as the impact of changes in the political climate and leadership in their home country and international immigration policies on the residents of the RSCI (Residence for Students from Cote d'Ivoire) which housed several Ivoirian immigrants.
The author, also from Côte d’Ivoire, spent some time in Paris as an undocumented student working as a security guard in Paris before returning to his country. The observations on the work environment, consumer behavior and culture in high-end shopping malls, shared in snippets interspersed throughout the narrative are sharp and witty and might make you feel a tad self-conscious the next time you encounter a security guard at the entrance (and exit) of a store/shopping mall. Touching upon themes ranging from immigrant experiences and immigration politics to colonialism, class distinctions, racial profiling and consumerism, in tones varying from satirical, factual and insightful, Standing Heavy is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The uneven, somewhat disjointed narrative took a while to adjust to. This is a short novel with a broad scope, which makes me wonder whether deeper discussions on a few issues would have rendered it more impactful. Overall, I did appreciate the premise of this short yet timely and relevant novel and feel there is much about it that is praiseworthy, but I wasn’t as taken with it as I had hoped.
“Life is sweeping away the dust that keeps piling up, as she mopped the floor with a rag, and someti*Shortlisted for International Booker Prize 2023*
“Life is sweeping away the dust that keeps piling up, as she mopped the floor with a rag, and sometimes she would add, Death is nothing more than dust piling up.”
As the story begins, we meet twenty-seven-year-old Chunhui as she returns to the ruins of her village after a stint in prison for a crime she did not commit. As she looks round her, she sees the ruins of the mountain village of Pyeongdae, a village once made prosperous through the industriousness of her mother Geumbok – a woman who rose from an impoverished life to become a wealthy entrepreneur in a predominantly patriarchal society. Chunhui, Geumbok’s mute daughter with a large build and uncanny strength, is more than often treated with neglect and indifference by her mother. Chunhui, though mute, was capable of communicating with an elephant named Jumbo she had known since she was a child and who was her only friend. The lives of mother and daughter are impacted by the legacy of an “old crone” and her one-eyed daughter whose stories are directly to Geumbok’s good fortune and ultimate downfall and tragic death in Pyeongdae. The story continues as we flow Chunhui as struggles to survive a solitary life among the ruins of her mother’s legacy, striving to make a living on her own using and improving on the skills she learned when was younger.
The narrative switches between past and present as we follow the stories of these different characters and the people and events that impact their lives. The author incorporates themes of ambition, loss, gender identity and politics, motherhood, and found family into this rich and engrossing narrative. Though Geumbok’s story dominates the larger part of the narrative and we follow her struggles as she overcomes seemingly insurmountable obstacles to carve a niche to herself in a hostile world dominated by the will of men, I found Chunhui’s story to be the most emotionally impactful. Despite its fairy tale like quality and moments of humor, Whale by Myeong-kwan Cheon (translated by Chi-Young Kim) story is drenched in tragedy, violence and abuse, mostly directed toward women. The symbolism of the whale - an animal Geumbok sees for the first time in a harbor city which leaves a lasting impression – and the impact of the same on her life and her action in different stages of Geumbok’s life are well constructed. A significant change Geumbok exacts in her life toward the end of her life is particularly significant in summing up her disillusionment with the way women were perceived and treated in that era and how she, in turn, viewed the men in her life in terms of power and influence.
The tone of the narrative varies between satirical and humorous to dark and disturbing, often detached and matter of fact. As we follow the stories of these women , the author takes us through the changing social, economic and political landscape of South Korea spanning the Korean War, communism and its aftermath and the emergence of capitalism, modernization and economic prosperity as well issues pertaining to gender roles and politics. Initially I found the different threads of the story a tad disjointed but the author skillfully weaves it all together together in a fantastical story steeped with magical realism and folklore, larger than life characters, and vivid imagery. The non-linear narrative and somewhat inconsistent pacing takes a while to get used to but does not detract from the overall reading experience....more
*Shortlisted for The International Booker Prize 2023*
“Life develops without overwhelming me, it squeezes into every minute, it implodes; I hold i4.5⭐️
*Shortlisted for The International Booker Prize 2023*
“Life develops without overwhelming me, it squeezes into every minute, it implodes; I hold it in my hands. I can give anything up, because nothing is essential when you refuse to imprison life in a narrative.”
We meet our unnamed protagonist, loner content with moving from job to job, while she waits for a merchant freighter on the Chilean coast where she takes up the job as a cook, perfectly happy with the monotonous, predictable routine while traversing the South American coast. When she meets Samsa, a Scandinavian geologist, she trades in her itinerant lifestyle for a relatively more domestic arrangement in Reykjavik where Samsa gets a job.
“She doesn’t like my name, and gives me a new one. She says I’m like those large, solitary rocks in southern Patagonia, pieces of world left over after creation, isolated and exposed to every element. No one knows where they came from. Not even they understand how they’re still standing and why they never break down.”
As the years progress, “Boulder” as Samsa calls her sees herself making compromises, adjusting to life as a couple, some aspects of it more challenging than others- but prioritizing her relationship with Samsa over all she misses from her solitary life. However, the dynamic in their relationship begins to shift when Samsa expresses her desire to have a child, to have a family – a desire that Boulder does not share and a journey that Boulder is more than reluctant to embark upon. With the birth of their child, the gap between them – both in terms of physical intimacy and emotional connection - begins to broaden. Samsa’s devotion to their daughter Tinna leaves our narrator feeling lost, lonely and “in exile”. We follow Boulder as she deals with conflicting feelings of emptiness, her desire for physical connection, moments of fondness for their daughter and her need for the solitary life she has left behind.
“No emotion is more indulgent than feeling that you are intensely human. Though it can also be the most tyrannical. You are responsible for every word, and no statement is innocent.”
Boulder by Eva Baltasar (translated by Julia Sanches) is a brutally honest, unflinching yet insightful novella that takes us deep into not only the complexities of relationships – the changing dynamics, the power play- but also how we evolve as individuals in the course of the same. Narrated in the first person, and at barely one hundred pages, this is a heavy read one that will raise some important questions on how we perceive relationships, motherhood and commitment and the lengths we go to preserve those relationships we hold dear and the extent to which we are willing to lose ourselves in the interest of the same. I could not put this down. Boulder is passionate, intense and real, too real at times. You can feel the pressure building from the very first page. The author’s writing is powerful and able to convey our narrator’s suffocation and claustrophobia with skill and much emotional depth. Even though it might be difficult to sympathize with our protagonist all the while, the author allows us to understand her. It is commendable that not only does the author not resort to stereotypes but, in fact, shatters quite a few!
“Time doesn’t live outside us; it comes into being as we do. To be able to hold time in our hands— now that’s a human mission.”
I’m eager to read the remaining books in the author’s triptych. This is the second book, but all of them can be read as standalone....more
Twenty-five-year-old Takako takes up residence for a few months in her uncle Satoru’s second-hand booksh3.5⭐
“Human beings are full of contradictions.”
Twenty-five-year-old Takako takes up residence for a few months in her uncle Satoru’s second-hand bookshop in Jimbicho, Tokyo in the wake of her breakup with her cad of a boyfriend/ coworker and her subsequent resignation. Depressed and unemployed, Takako is glad for the room above the Morisaki Bookshop to hide from the rest of the world even though she doesn’t quite enjoy reading. Surrounded by towering stacks of second-hand books and people who love reading, Takako eventually finds herself opening up to new experiences, making friends in the community, forging a bond with her uncle and finding joy, inspiration and hope in reading.
The narrative is divided into two segments the first of which focuses on Takano’s journey and the second segment, set a year later, revolves around her uncle and his wife Momoko whose sudden return five years after she left him has him seeking the answers to several unanswered questions. Her aunt’s return and their evolving friendship also encourage Takako to reconsider her own priorities.
“No matter where you go, or how many books you read, you still know nothing, you haven’t seen anything. And that’s life. We live our lives trying to find our way.”
Touching upon themes of family, friendship, new beginnings and most importantly the transformative power of books, this is a sweet, simple story that would appeal to book lovers and bibliophiles. I really liked the premise of Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa (translated by Eric Ozawa), and loved the descriptions of the Jimbocho Book Town (brought back some fond memories of College Street /”Boi Para” of Kolkata, India) and the literary references. The author also references the Kanda Used Book Festival, the largest annual event held in Kanda's Jimbocho secondhand book district that started in 1960. The narrative is evenly paced and compact but I thought the writing (or maybe the translation) was a tad choppy and lacking in depth. Though I didn’t enjoy the second segment of the narrative as much as the first, overall I didn't dislike this short novel in its totality....more
“The Salpêtrière is a dumping ground for women who disturb the peace. An asylum for those whose sensitivities do not tally with what is expected of th“The Salpêtrière is a dumping ground for women who disturb the peace. An asylum for those whose sensitivities do not tally with what is expected of them. A prison for women guilty of possessing an opinion.”
In 1885 Paris, nineteen-year-old Eugenie Clery, a strong-willed young woman, is committed to the Salpêtrière Hospital for the mentally -ill by her father after her grandmother betrays her secret about her spiritualistic leanings that she had shared in confidence . Here she meets Genevieve the senior nurse of the facility – a practical woman who believes in science, doesn't believe in God (after a personal tragedy) and has faith in renowned neurologist Dr. Charcot’s methods for treatment of those suffering from mental illness. Dr. Charcot’s methods include hypnosis and every week he holds a practical demonstration of his methods for an audience of male doctors and interns. Louise, one of the patients Eugenie meets (the origins of her illness are discussed later on in the narrative) is the current case study. Louise is also romantically involved with one of the younger doctors who has promised to marry her. Eugenie knows that Genevieve is the only person who can help her but to do so would mean convincing her that she is not mentally ill. To do so she must use her gifts to make a connection with someone from Genevieve’s past – her younger sister Blandine whose death she still mourns- and she must do this before The Madwomen’s Ball. The Lenten Ball, The Madwomen’s Ball is an annual event wherein select members of the Parisian bourgeoisie are invited to interact with the patients of the asylum – a bright event that the women of Salpêtrière look forward for the festivities and the potential opportunity to meet someone sympathetic to their plight and an opportunity for the invitees to openly observe these women and satisfy their curiosity.
“Madwomen fascinate and horrify.”
The Mad Women’s Ball by Victoria Mas (translated by Frank Wynne) is an atmospheric, insightful and thought-provoking story that paints a heartbreaking picture of the plight of women banished from their homes and families and society in general on the whims of those whom they should have been able to trust. The story not only looks at the stigma associated with mental–illness during that period but also sheds a light on the practice of dubbing those not conforming to societal /patriarchal expectations as mentally ill. Not only were these women denied agency but were treated like experiments by their doctors and theater by those who were "curious” about what went on behind the closed doors of the institution.
“No woman can be certain that her words, her aspirations, her personality will not lead to her being shut away behind the fearsome walls of the hospital in the thirteenth arrondissement.”
The narrative is shared from the perspectives of Genevieve, Louise, and Eugenie. Given the short length of this novel, there isn’t much much scope for in-depth character development or exploring the relationships between the characters beyond a certain point. On that note, I thought Eugenie’s story was left somewhat incomplete. The Author's Note only provides a glossary for real people from that era who make an appearance/ are referred to in this story. I did feel the need for an Author’s Note on the historical context of this novel and the different themes that have been explored in the novel including the spiritualist movement of that era and some background on the Salpêtrière asylum , which unfortunately was missing.
Overall, while I truly appreciate the premise of this novel, I wasn’t completely satisfied with the execution.
“Unswerving faith in any idea inevitably leads to prejudice. Have I told you how calm I feel since I began to doubt? What is important is not to have beliefs, but to be able to doubt, to question anything, everything, even oneself. To doubt.”...more
People Who Talk to Stuffed Animals Are Nice: Stories by Ao Omae (translated by Emily Balistrieri) comprises an interesting collection of short storiesPeople Who Talk to Stuffed Animals Are Nice: Stories by Ao Omae (translated by Emily Balistrieri) comprises an interesting collection of short stories that touch upon themes of friendship, gender politics and stereotypes, feminism, isolation and loneliness and mental and emotional well-being.
In the first story “Realizing the Fun Things Through Water”(3.5/5) we meet Hatsuoka who receives a case of “hyper-organization water” from her soon to be mother–in–law who tells her to talk to it, sharing happy thoughts to increase its potency. Hatsuoka is conflicted over her impending marriage, unsure of what she wants while also dealing with the pain of the loss of her sister who had been missing for almost two years. As she waits for her sister to return to the house they shared, she anxiously contemplates the upcoming changes in her life. The second in this collection is the novella “People Who Talk to Stuffed Animals Are Nice” (3.5/5) revolves around university students Nanamori, Mugito, Shiraki and others who are members of a Plushie Club whose purpose is to give its member the space to talk to stuffed animals for emotional support. The author tackles sensitive issues such as gender identity stereotypes, misogyny and mental health with sensitivity and compassion in this story. But the narrative seems a tad long and could have been more compact. In “Bath Towel Footage” (2.5/5) a woman sees an unpleasant side to her boyfriend while attending a comedy show, making her question her compatibility with him. The final story, “Hello, Thank You, I’m Okay” (3/5) revolves around Marumi and her family and how they each interact with her shut-in brother and how they cope with his decision to have a birthday party with his invisible friends and the aftermath.
Needless to say, the title of this book and that cover grabbed my attention. The tone of these thought-provoking stories is predominantly melancholic and emotionally charged. At times I found it difficult to connect with the characters and found the narrative in a few of the stories a tad disjoint, lacking in cohesiveness, though that might have been deliberate in keeping with the character’s state of mind. (Given that I read a translation of the original, I feel that perhaps fine-tuning the translation and/or the editing might have made a difference.) I did have a problem with the length of these stories. While the novella could have been more compact, the final two stories did not allow us to explore the characters well enough. Overall, while I did appreciate the concept and themes that are explored in these stories, the execution left a bit to be desired.
Many thanks to author Ao Omae, publisher HarperVia and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book is due to be released on June 06, 2023....more
Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile
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