Published By: Picador
Pages: 224
Released On: 22/08/2024
Translated By: Jesse Kirkwood
One photograph, one treasured memory, one chance to go back . . .
In a cosy photography studio in the mountains between this world and the next, someone is waking up as if from a dream. A kind man will hand them a hot cup of tea and gently explain that, having reached the end of their life, they have one final task.
There is a stack of photos on their lap, one for every day of their life, and now they must choose the pictures that capture their most treasured memories, which will be placed in a beautiful lantern. Once completed, it will be set spinning, and their cherished moments will flash before their eyes, guiding them to another world.
But, like our most thumbed-over photographs, our favourite memories become faded with age, so each visitor to the studio has the chance to choose one day to return to and photograph afresh. Each has a treasured story to tell, from the old woman rebuilding a community in Tokyo after a disaster, to the flawed Yakuza man who remembers a time when he was kind, and a strong child who is fighting to survive.
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Picador for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I have not hidden my absolute love for translated fiction, particularly Japanese and Korean fiction, and so was super thrilled to get to read an early copy of this.
I absolutely loved the cover, it’s so pretty and eye-catching but simple.
It has got so much hear to it, and shows the comfort that comes with teas and memories. It’s cosy ad heartwarming and beautiful right from the off, but there are some tougher moments that pull at your heartstrings.
What I’ve come to realise – and this is no different – is that translated Japanese/Korean etc. novels all have this warmth about them. They’re all about family and friends and love and peace and happiness and memories. I am always happy when I’m reading one and I’m always happy when I’ve finished them as they’re always, overall, uplifting, and it’s always a pleasant experience to read one.
It’s a short novel, quick to read, able to fit in between your day jobs, but it’s still exciting enough for the reader.
It has this really interesting concept about death and the afterlife and how we shouldn’t fear it. The amount of books I’ve read recently that touch upon that…it’s just beautiful to read. To read about this notoriously frightening and unknown thing, but put a warm and comforting slant on it, it really lovely.
I found it very similar to the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, and I have a feeling it will be like that in the sense that there will be many sequels. Which is a good thing, because it’s enjoyable. But where I think the Coffee series lost its charm was in its repetitiveness, and after the first 3 books, I didn’t bother reading anymore as I knew it would just be more of the same. So I hope that if this does become a series, that there’s enough difference between them to make them fresh.
I do wish it was a bit longer. Not necessarily longer in terms of page count, but to have more people involved. We see three dead people, and we get to see their lives etc. and they’re all very interesting but I really wanted more people, but I suppose it does give more scope for future books.
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