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This title is not just a story about a marathon; it’s a testament to the power of friendship, resilience, and the beauty of pushing beyond one’s limits. Miura’s writing style is atmospheric, evoking the rhythm of running and the mental and physical endurance required to chase such an ambitious dream.
Although the mystery (Johnsen’s first to be published in English) is slight, the atmospheric Hallmark-style book is set up as if it were an Advent calendar: 24 chapters, one for each day in December leading up to Christmas. The multiple storylines offer a little for everyone: mountain climbing, village secrets, romance, bullying. The Norwegian customs and recipes are an extra treat.
This close and loving exploration of a very particular time and place, while not a page-turner, is immersive enough to be oddly compelling for readers who are willing to give it a chance.
Hur’s thought-provoking novel will appeal to readers who love gripping metaphysical science fiction, such as Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Children of Memory or Robert J. Sawyer’s Calculating God.
Tsukiyama imagines Wong’s conversations, letters and emotions, but at times the narrative feels detached, like a history book or Wikipedia page. The novel is most effective at showing what it took to be a star during the movie business’s early years, especially for a Chinese American woman.