Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa is a delightful feel- good read about life and its many twists and turns. A positive read for any mind, the book dwells deep into human relationships in various situations. First published in Japan in the year 2010, the book is high on emotions and human well- being, a must read for the current times.

The story revolves around a twenty- five- year- old, Takako who has been left heartbroken by the sudden news of her boyfriend’s marriage to a girl whom she knew at office. Unable to overcome her heartbreak, she takes refuge at her uncle’s second -hand bookshop “Morisaki Bookshop” that would ultimately go on to change her life from there on and mark her new beginning.

For people who love books and love being around books, this story would be an instant connect. How books can influence mind and well- being is only known to book lovers and people who are around books. Takako who initially refrains from getting influenced by the second- hand books, ultimately falls for them.  From there on, her life changes as she meets new people in and around the bookshop. They say that meeting new people and making new friends go a long way to make us feel good.

Uncle Satoru who runs and looks after the bookshop becomes an instant support to Takako and they gel well together, though initially Takako gets irritated by the casual and happy go lucky attitude of her uncle at that point of age. There are some great moments and events that take place in between Takako and Uncle Satoru which are enjoyable and endearing.

The central part of the story takes place in a hidden part of Tokyo in Jimbocho, a book town and a hub of second- hand books from all over the world. The reader will enjoy the description of this place. For every book lover, a place like this is almost like heaven. There is something serene and calm about the part where this town appears in the book. Every time the author narrates this place in the story, the reader will feel a sense of calmness and serenity. It was surprising but yes this was an effective way of getting relaxed.

As Takako carries on her life at the Morisaki Bookshop, she meets news people and also a person whom she instantly connects and almost falls in love with. There is some mystery to the person but they keep meeting at a café in the locality.

There is another important character in the story, Momoko, who happens to be Uncle Satoru’s wife. There is something mysterious about the character. Momoko, had one day after some years in to the marriage, just vanished leaving a note to her husband. She returns after years to the bookshop but this time, there is something unusual which her husband is afraid to ask for. Takako and Momoko get along very well and during this phase, Momoko reveals and takes her to the place where she was all that time away.

At the end, when Momoko wants to leave again, Takako urges Uncle Satoru to stop her this time and so he runs like hell. All ends well as everyone settle down in their lives and Takako looks forward to her new job and work and the coming days hinting for a sequel to the story.

The events and narrative take place a day at a time and the reader will ultimately be engrossed in the lives of the characters.

The book is a feel- good read and the characters will be loved by the reader. There aren’t much characters, though. The central story and events all revolve around Takako, Uncle Satoru and Momoko and the bookshop.

The book is divided into two parts, part one concentrates more on Takako and her relationship with the bookshop and Uncle Satoru while part two concentrates on the return of Momoko and how Takako along with Momoko and Uncle Satoru carry on with their lives in the Morisaki bookshop.

The geographical description by the author and the translator will surely take the reader to the book town and then in the second act to a county just outside Tokyo. For readers outside Japan, this would be a good book to get a glimpse of the city of Tokyo and the book town.

 Another important aspect that readers will enjoy is the description of the second- hand bookshop and how these are runs, the economic challenges of these bookshops in the backdrop of the increased digital reading. The varied nature of such bookshops also will be insightful for the reader.

The book has been translated in English by Eric Ozawa and the translation is easy to read and enjoyable. This is a book that is fit for a slow read. Like five pages every day and one would suddenly realize that the characters have become a part of their everyday lives. Getting up every day and along with the morning tea, meeting Takako and Uncle Satoru was such a pleasure.

The physical book cover is also very interesting and it gives vibes of what is instore in the pages ahead.

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop is a wonderful peaceful read that will make the reader feel good about life and everything that is has to offer.