J's Musings

Book Review by Janx

Blurb:

One photograph, one treasured memory, one chance to go back

In Mr. Hirasaka’s photography studio, in the mountains between this world and the next, someone is waking up as if from a dream.

With a kind expression in his eyes, he will offer them a cup of tea and a box filled with photos of them. One for each day for their life, out of which they will be expected to choose one for each year of their life.

Like the objects we use the most wear out soon, the memories we visit most can also with time start to fade. To help with that, each visitor will be given the chance to go back in time with any camera of their choice, to re-photograph any memory they want.

Each has a different story to discuss over tea; from the old woman building a community in post disaster Tokyo, to the Yakuza who remembers a time when he had been kind and, a child who is fighting to survive.

Review:

The warm ambience of Mr. Hirasaka’s studio invites all Japanese literature fans to put their heads down for a while and reminiscence of their favourite memories.

Calm and captivating Hiragi’s writing lulls you into a sense of comfort with its simple wording and kind characters.

Speaking of characters, the simple yet complex personalities awaken a sense of sonder. The calm and cool façade provided by Hiasaka’s kind eyes and sweet smile doesn’t let you remember the fact that everyone there is more or less dead.

The book is short at 199 pages, but still packed with pleasingly satisfying stories. I love the simplicity of the language that saves you the belittling of not knowing the jargon.

The book isn’t plot centered and yet has a story to follow in each chapter. Be it watching an old woman delve into the memories of a youth well invested. Or the Yakuza who remembers the boy who made him kind. The pains of existing are various and constant. And Hiragi takes us through them all in a storytelling pattern that leaves an imprint.

The story talks about bullying, abuse and after disaster cities, all delicate topics, covered clearly through thoroughly delightful and moving recollections.

The book reminds me of a candle burning, calm and yet blazing, with its indirect way of asking you “what will you do with the life you have?” Because someday, when life will flash before your eyes, what do you want to see?

The narration as a whole is a reminder to those caught up in their daily lives to sit down and look back at life, so death isn’t the only chance where you get to do so.

I give this book a solid eight on ten.

I hope you have a good Wednesday and a chance to think back upon what matters.

Love,

Janx ❤

Picture Credits: Booknightouts on Pinterest