1 World Manga, Vol. 5 Book

As some of you probably know, I don't normally read Japanese novels. I can be really picky about what I read and truth be told, I didn't even know this was a translated edition of a Japanese novel which was later made into a movie.
I set out to read this book without knowing almost anything about the premise, but I am glad to say I enjoyed reading this book a lot - much more than I initially expected.

What struck me the most about this book is, the ambiance. This book has got a very distinct flavor of subtlety and sensitivity, the writing is full of nuance and perfectly matches the serene and tranquil atmosphere which I personally perceive as a characteristic of Japanese novels.
The writing is subtle and tender yet descriptive especially on depicting the scenic scenes, it's kind of poetic. As the story sets in just before the rainy season, there are a lot of descriptions of rain and cloudy skies, visualization of such scenes came so easily, I felt as though I could smell the wet pavement and hear the pitter-patter of raindrops hitting the roofs and windowpanes. Once again, the atmospheric writing definitely contributed to making this book the one that speaks to our senses.

The main character, Takumi's characterization is also the crucial factor that made this book endearing to me. He is vulnerable both physically and mentally, there are a lot of practical constrains in his life. For instance, his physical vulnerability cannot bear the burden of long travel, taking any form of public transportation let alone vehicles triggers a meltdown; he can only live within a circle of a few kilometers radius, he has led a modest, frugal life with his 6 year-old son, Yuji.
Those two characters - Takumi and Yuji are so near and dear to my heart. Takumi's wife, Mio, died a year ago and since then, Takumi and Yuji get by their day-to-day life while still reeling from the grief of loss. I don't want to think my emotional attachment came from pity, but I empathized and engaged with them a lot emotionally, I was really curious in what direction this book would take me.

To be honest, I was a bit baffled by the somewhat fantastical twist where Mio came back to their world just before the rainy season as she promised before she died. Although the subsequent development flows so smoothly to the extent I don't feel anything wrong about it, but the realistic part of me was taken by surprise momentarily, thinking that's so unrealistic and surreal for contemporary fiction.

That said though, as I previously mentioned, the subsequent development reads so naturally and is heart-warming at the same time. Mio has lost her memory completely when she comes back, but both Takumi and Yuji take Mio home and they start living as a family once again. As they spend time together, Mio starts to feel them both so close, and they become a real family like they are meant to be. Although the middle part felt slightly flat because relatively a large chunk of the book was spend telling a story of Mio's past and how Takumi and Mio end up together, overall, I enjoyed following them forge a strong bond as a family and fall in love with each other all over again despite Mio's memory loss. Personally, I thought it was truly romantic and sweet, it was nicely done.

Sadly, however, it is often the case that even good things must come to an end. Mio's revival of couse comes with a catch; she might need to leave their world once again leaving her beloved family behind.
From then onwards, the writing takes on a poignant undertone and the pain and grief of having to leave her loved ones behind coats the pages. I cannot give away the plot, but I definitely felt my heart squeeze and tighten as I flip through the pages.

And the farewell- oh, my gosh. It was so painful, heart-rending, but was absolutely strong and beautiful. The writing is as subtle and tender as ever, yet each sentence, each dialogue packs such an emotional punch and hit me so hard. I was reading it with a huge lump in my throat, I was literally running the risk of crying my eyes out OUT IN PUBLIC. It took me a giant willpower to fight back tears so as not to let anybody see me crying over a book. I recommend reading this particular scene in the safety of your home, maybe a box of tissues by your side.

My only issue with this book is probably the ending; the revelation of how Mio came back to Takumi's world once again. I don't know if it was because of my brain's malfunction or the way it was narrated, but I failed to grasp what the author was telling me at first shot. It was only when I went back to the beginning of the sequence and re-read it that everything clicked and started falling into place. The somewhat ambiguous, hazy undertone that the writting carries could have been another cause of my confusion. Either way, the revelation came with a slight bewilderment just like before, but I think that explains everything and wraps up the book nicely.

I particularly loved how the author closed the book. The words, the sentences create a lingering impression and I still feel like being in a dream, the dream that I don't want to wake up from.
There is a sad, bittersweet feeling running for sure, but the characters, including Yuji get to have a proper closure this time and they have gotten back on their feet unlike they way they used to be, I was left in a sobbing mess, but was content with the ending too.

I am now thankful for the serendipitous encounter with this book at the book exchange last month. As I said, I don't normally read Japanese novels even translated editions - but I now believe this book was calling out for me just like Yuji keeps calling out for Mio, this is such a beautiful, sweet book on love and family and I am so glad that I read it.
Rainy afternoon would be perfect to read this book. I highly recommend this book if you don't mind a book that possibly makes you cry.