The first story perfectly encapsulated what it felt like for me to go through life after losing loved ones. It broke me and put me back together, while not wholly, enough to better handle moving forward.

Were there some off-putting parts that took me out of the story sometimes? Yes. It’s important to remember the time this was written, and some cultural differences, but I can see why it became as celebrated as it is. There are parts of this first story that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

I could have done without the second story, or it might have had a better impact if this was the first story instead. It just seemed a little short, and lacking a little of the emotional complexity almost as if it could be confused for an afterthought. The messaging was still beautiful, but I finished it craving more. Maybe it was Yoshimoto’s intention? I’ll have to think on it more.

Either way, I am glad my introduction to Banana Yoshimoto was through her debut novel and can’t wait to dive more into her works after this.

I was simultaneously horrified and hopeful while reading this. What a ride.

I love when books find you at the right time and help you process your own feelings and emotions. I love that so much of what each of us go through is such a universal experience, even when we feel so detached and alone.

Some might say it glorifies Japan’s working culture by how some of the characters deal with their situations, but I beg to differ. It’s hard to turn off the ‘hustle’ mindset in a capitalistic society, when there’s so much expectation, praise and recognition put on you to participate in it. Of course it’s only natural for us to feel lost when we’re broken from what’s considered normal or correct. These characters come to terms with that, and discover themselves again realizing all along they’re doing just fine, and they’ve got more to them than what society says they have. It’s a book about rediscovering yourself, no matter your age, and finding contentment in the now. I’ll absolutely be taking parts of this book with me through the rest of my days.