I’ve been a fan of Ryu Murakami since 2003 when I read the translated version of the award-winning novel, In The Miso Soup. I stumbled across the thin and translated version in a public library. Many in Japan have a very small English book section. I ran it through the self-checkout machine and off to work I went.
Little did I know about the fun that was to happen. There is very little ‘filler’ in this 192-page book, tho I do think some scenes were too long. This is a story about a widower with a 15-year-old son. His wife died seven years ago and his son thinks it is time for him to get back on the horse again. He thinks so as well. But he doesn’t know how to meet anyone these days, he has been out of the game for a long while. He confides in his friend who is a filmmaker and they decide to hold auditions for a fake movie in the hope one of the girls is of interest to Aoyama. And one is. Her name is AsamiYamasaki, a 24-year-old whose introduction letter was deep and seemed beyond her age. He is instantly smitten.
Most of this novel is a slow-burn romance. However, throughout the novel, we get to see tiny tidbits of the person that Asami is really. The scene in the restaurant is exceptionally great.
One thing I did not like was the dog abuse. But it is also a cultural difference that has changed over the past ten years. Thankfully. The book was written in 1997 in serialized form in a newspaper. Until a few years ago pets were not considered family (not everyone of course but by law) members and most dogs live outside and don’t go for walks. Many are not trained and are used mostly as a thief determent. Not your best friend ever. Thankfully things have changed and the SPCA in Japan is strong and has some power.
This comment distracted us away from the book.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and just realized there is a cult favorite movie based on this book. I have heard it is different from the book as the movie version is better than the book. It happens.
