Michiko Aoyama (2023) What are you looking for in the library, translated from Japanese to English by Alison Watts.

Reading is what I do. So what are you looking for in the library sounds like my kind of book. If, like former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, you argue there is no such thing as society then this is not for you. Existential nihilism it is not. In Michiko Aoyam’s novel everything is connected and everyone has a purpose but they might just need that little nudge to find their destiny.

The beating heart of the book is Sayuri Komachi. She is grotesquely overweight and seems to spend much of her time felting, creating small bonus gifts, which she creates and gives with the advice she offers and books she recommends.

These are life changing encounters. Masao Gonno, newly retired at 65 and lacking purpose after losing his identity as a working man, initially visits the Community Centre to sign up for a class about how to play ‘Go’.  He visits the reference library and meets Komachi.

In movies, that’s the meet cute. Although she claims no special innate gift, he wonders if she’s some kind of divine power of compassion. All who seek her out and find her fall under her spell.

Tomoka Fujiki,  A 21-year-old sales assistant at Eden, feel stuck in her routine and dreads having to return home as a failure in rural Japan, searches for a sense of renewed purpose in Tokyo.

Ryo Urase.  A 35-year-old accountant. He dreams of opening an antique shop but struggles with self-doubt and playing safe with his job and girlfriend seems the sensible choice.

Natsumi Sakitani (perhaps the closest fit with the author’s identity) A 40-year-old mother and former magazine editor who feels angry and disappointed after maternity leave she’s been moved sideways and no longer has the career she craved.

Hiroya Suda.  A 30-year-old NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) who lives with his mum and relies on her for money. At school, he wanted to be an illustrator and went to college but it all petered out. He sees no future. Worse, his successful brother is returning home after working abroad.

Don’t worry. After overcoming self-doubt, everything will be as it’s meant to be. Sweet as a bag of tablet.

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