Rainbirds; Clarissa Goenawan
Ecco - 2018
Japan, 1994, Ren Ishida is finishing up his graduate studies in Tokyo when he learns that his older sister, Keiko has been murdered and that there are no suspects. Since Keiko was estranged from their parents, Ren heads to the fictional town of Akakawa to claim his sister's remains and personal effects. He soon finds himself, desperate to find out more information about his sister's personal life in the years since she left home. Ren takes a room, the very room, where his sister had stayed and even gets a teaching job, her vacated teaching job, at the university where she worked.
A thought provoking, compulsively readable, debut novel with style reminiscent of Haruki Murakami. The writing is beautiful, part mystery with bits of magical realism, but never too far over the top for my taste. The imagery created by this talented new author was an unexpected treat.
Rating - 5/5 - loved it
I'm not huge on magical realism but you've made this sound great.
ReplyDeleteI have seen this book around but wasn't sure what to think of it. I'm glad to hear you liked it so much.
ReplyDeleteThis book has been everywhere lately.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I loved it as well. The author's husband was in a pretty bad accident which affected her book tour but I think the book is doing very well on its own.
ReplyDeleteSounds great. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteWith that high rating, I may have to give this a try in spite of the fact that I'm not a fan of Haruki Murakami.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this cover and I'm happy to see the book lives up to it :)
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