GRAPHIC NOVELS

The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story

by Marie Kondo
Yuko Uramoto (illus.). Ten Speed: Crown. Jun. 2017. 192p. tr. from Japanese by Cathy Hirano. ISBN 9780399580536. pap. $14.99. GRAPHIC NOVELS
COPY ISBN
In this fictional case study incorporating the philosophy of Kondo's best-selling self-help book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and the practical techniques of its follow-up, Spark Joy, Chiaki is a messy, workaholic driven to hire Kondo when an encounter with the guy next door convinces her that her rats-nest apartment is sabotaging her entire life. Kondo first asks Chiaki to visualize her ideal future: How would she actually like to live? This simple challenge motivates Chiaki and hints at Kondo's appeal: people refusing to tidy under a parent's thumb are now tidying for themselves. Uramoto's (Less Than Married) charming art makes Kondo into a winsome shojo character and assimilates Chiaki into the tradition of a young manga heroine finding happiness.
VERDICT Readers reluctant to submit to word-heavy lectures may be beguiled—and even converted—by witnessing Chiaki's success as played out in an enjoyable story that paints Kondo as more inspiring than inquisitorial. Both of the original nonfiction books were LJ "Most Borrowed," so expect demand. [Previewed in Douglas Rednour's "Comics Cross Over," LJ 6/15/17, p. 40–46.—Ed.]
Reviewed by Martha Cornog , Sep 01, 2017
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