Following celebrated Japanese author Yoshimoto’s last work translated for U.S. audiences (
Moshi Moshi) comes a bestseller that was originally published in 1988. Family secrets rise to the surface in this engaging tale between 19-year-old Yayoi, adopted at a young age after her parents were tragically killed in an accident, and her biological aunt Yukino, a seemingly eccentric music teacher at a private high school. Yayoi and her brother Tetsuo are less than a year apart and have an eerily close relationship. Together, the two set out on a mini adventure in search of Yukino when she disappears. Yayoi, who had been gifted with ESP in her youth, uses her now limited intuition to find her aunt, and uncovers much more about Yukino’s personal life, and her own, than was anticipated.
VERDICT Yoshimoto packs a lot of detail and intrigue in this spare novel (with additional credit to Yoneda for her translation). A bestseller over three decades ago, readers familiar with Yoshimoto’s work will not want to miss this one. It is a welcomed addition to her oeuvre for English reading audiences and definitely worth the wait.
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