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The Lantern of Lost Memories
From acclaimed Japanese author Sanaka Hiigari comes a heartwarming, life-affirming novel about a magical photo studio, where people go after they die to view key moments from their life—and relive one precious memory before they pass into the afterlife.
The hands and pendulum of the old wooden clock on the wall were motionless. Hirasaka cocked his head to listen, but the silence inside the photo studio was almost deafening. His leather shoes sank softly into the aging red carpet as he strode over to the arrangement of flowers on the counter and carefully adjusted the angle of the petals...
This is the story of the peculiar and magical photo studio owned by Mr. Hirasaki, a collector of antique cameras. In the dimly lit interior, a paper background is pulled down in front of a wall, and in front of it stands a single, luxurious chair with an armrest on one side. On a stand is a large bellows camera. On the left is the main studio; photos can also be taken in the courtyard.
Beyond its straightforward interior, however, is a secret. The studio is, in fact, the door to the afterlife, the place between life and death where those who have departed have a chance—one last time—to see their entire life flash before their eyes via Mr. Hirasaki's "spinning lantern of memories."
We meet Hatsue, a ninety-two year old woman who worked as a nursery teacher, the rowdy Waniguchi, a yakuza overseer in his life who is also capable of great compassion, and finally Mitsuru, a young girl who has died tragically young at the hands of abusive parents.
Sorting through the many photos of their lives, Mr. Hirasaki also offers guests one guests a second a chance to travel back in time to take a photo of one particular moment in their lives that they wish to cherish in a special way.
Full of charm and whimsy, The Lantern of Lost Memories will sweep you away to a world of nostalgia, laughter, and love.
The hands and pendulum of the old wooden clock on the wall were motionless. Hirasaka cocked his head to listen, but the silence inside the photo studio was almost deafening. His leather shoes sank softly into the aging red carpet as he strode over to the arrangement of flowers on the counter and carefully adjusted the angle of the petals...
This is the story of the peculiar and magical photo studio owned by Mr. Hirasaki, a collector of antique cameras. In the dimly lit interior, a paper background is pulled down in front of a wall, and in front of it stands a single, luxurious chair with an armrest on one side. On a stand is a large bellows camera. On the left is the main studio; photos can also be taken in the courtyard.
Beyond its straightforward interior, however, is a secret. The studio is, in fact, the door to the afterlife, the place between life and death where those who have departed have a chance—one last time—to see their entire life flash before their eyes via Mr. Hirasaki's "spinning lantern of memories."
We meet Hatsue, a ninety-two year old woman who worked as a nursery teacher, the rowdy Waniguchi, a yakuza overseer in his life who is also capable of great compassion, and finally Mitsuru, a young girl who has died tragically young at the hands of abusive parents.
Sorting through the many photos of their lives, Mr. Hirasaki also offers guests one guests a second a chance to travel back in time to take a photo of one particular moment in their lives that they wish to cherish in a special way.
Full of charm and whimsy, The Lantern of Lost Memories will sweep you away to a world of nostalgia, laughter, and love.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published February 6, 2019
About the author
Sanaka Hiiragi
17 books136 followersSanaka Hiiragi (JP: 柊サナカ) was born in 1974 in the Kagawa Prefecture. She graduated from Kobe Women's University, majored in literature, and completed her studies at Himeji Dokkyo University. After living and working overseas as a Japanese Language teacher for 7 years, her debut novel The Battle of Marriage Island was nominated for the Konomys Award in 2012 and was chosen as ‘The Hidden Jade’ by the editors in 2013. She is a big fan of cameras, photography, and kimono art.
Source: Hachette Book Group
Source: Hachette Book Group
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,803 reviews
July 5, 2023
Ta ostatnia historia…
Wyjątkowa.
Wyjątkowa.
April 23, 2023
4.5/5
Wzruszenie pod koniec… nie do opisania. Cudowna lektura
Wzruszenie pod koniec… nie do opisania. Cudowna lektura
February 26, 2023
Kocham całym sercem 💖
September 24, 2024
It has been said that when you die, your life flashes before your eyes, allowing you to relive your best moments in just a few minutes. This book beautifully captures all the fleeting emotions of nostalgia and heartbreak, all while making you appreciate the small, often overlooked moments in life.
At the central heart of this story is Mr. Hirasaka, who operates a magical photo studio where people visit after death to view key moments from their lives. His studio allows them to relive one precious memory before passing into the afterlife. The story follows the perspectives of three vastly different patrons: an old woman who embraced life to the fullest, a middle-aged man burdened by his troubled past, and a young child with a pure, untarnished outlook on life.
What truly struck me was how the book managed to bring these three individuals together, showing that every decision, no matter how small, ripples outward to affect others in ways we may never fully understand. I enjoyed how well the story was able to show the interconnection between lives, reminding readers that we’re all bound by the choices we make, often in ways we cannot see…
The ending was particularly bittersweet, when all the dots finally connected, tying together the threads of the overarching story.
Overall, this short, slice-of-life tale had me reflecting on the small impacts we leave on the lives we touch, even in passing. For anyone who enjoys stories that focus on life's bittersweet and heartwarming moments, I highly recommend this book. And if you’ve seen the K-drama The Midnight Studio, this book will feel like a perfect companion piece, bringing similar themes to life in a deeply reflective and touching way.
Thank you @GrandCentralPub for providing a review copy.
At the central heart of this story is Mr. Hirasaka, who operates a magical photo studio where people visit after death to view key moments from their lives. His studio allows them to relive one precious memory before passing into the afterlife. The story follows the perspectives of three vastly different patrons: an old woman who embraced life to the fullest, a middle-aged man burdened by his troubled past, and a young child with a pure, untarnished outlook on life.
What truly struck me was how the book managed to bring these three individuals together, showing that every decision, no matter how small, ripples outward to affect others in ways we may never fully understand. I enjoyed how well the story was able to show the interconnection between lives, reminding readers that we’re all bound by the choices we make, often in ways we cannot see…
The ending was particularly bittersweet, when all the dots finally connected, tying together the threads of the overarching story.
Overall, this short, slice-of-life tale had me reflecting on the small impacts we leave on the lives we touch, even in passing. For anyone who enjoys stories that focus on life's bittersweet and heartwarming moments, I highly recommend this book. And if you’ve seen the K-drama The Midnight Studio, this book will feel like a perfect companion piece, bringing similar themes to life in a deeply reflective and touching way.
Thank you @GrandCentralPub for providing a review copy.
August 23, 2024
Sanaka Hiiragi’s episodic novel builds on Japanese mythology around fate, memory and death, particularly Yomotsu Hirasaka as a place marking a boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead. Here that liminal space’s occupied by a studio run by genial photographer Hirasaka. It’s Hirasaka’s duty to prepare the newly dead for entry to the afterlife, although his own origins are shrouded in mystery. Each visitor to his studio’s presented with images from their past, they must choose one for each year of their existence. This selection will be slotted into a twirling lantern, a variation on a slideshow, so their lives appear to flash before their eyes and they can move on. Sometimes a visitor picks a blurry or damaged photo, these can be repaired via a guided visit to the past to get a cleaner shot.
One of these visitors is Hatsue who’s 92. Hirasaka takes her back to a suburb of Tokyo in July 1949, where Hatsue observes her younger self. Her experiences enable a vivid reconstruction of postwar Japan, the damaged buildings and struggling inhabitants. Hatsue was employed by a nursery to take care of impoverished workers’ children, and Hiiragi bases her section on aspects of Japan’s history particularly the establishment of Nitta Nursery School in Tokyo’s Adachi Ward.
Hirasaka’s next two clients are among his most challenging cases: one’s a murdered yakuza, Shohei Waniguchi who finds it difficult to locate any happy memories; the other’s a small girl killed by abusive parents, a child whose suffering will lead to Hirasaka taking unprecedented action. Although Hiiragi’s novel can be sentimental and a little uneven - Hatsue’s narrative was by far my favourite – it’s also well-researched, atmospheric and absorbing. The style and unusual blend of genre conventions is likely to appeal to fans of books like Before the Coffee Gets Cold. Translated by Jesse Kirkwood.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Picador for an ARC
One of these visitors is Hatsue who’s 92. Hirasaka takes her back to a suburb of Tokyo in July 1949, where Hatsue observes her younger self. Her experiences enable a vivid reconstruction of postwar Japan, the damaged buildings and struggling inhabitants. Hatsue was employed by a nursery to take care of impoverished workers’ children, and Hiiragi bases her section on aspects of Japan’s history particularly the establishment of Nitta Nursery School in Tokyo’s Adachi Ward.
Hirasaka’s next two clients are among his most challenging cases: one’s a murdered yakuza, Shohei Waniguchi who finds it difficult to locate any happy memories; the other’s a small girl killed by abusive parents, a child whose suffering will lead to Hirasaka taking unprecedented action. Although Hiiragi’s novel can be sentimental and a little uneven - Hatsue’s narrative was by far my favourite – it’s also well-researched, atmospheric and absorbing. The style and unusual blend of genre conventions is likely to appeal to fans of books like Before the Coffee Gets Cold. Translated by Jesse Kirkwood.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Picador for an ARC
September 10, 2024
The Lantern of Lost Memories is a beautifully crafted short story that touches upon the cyclical nature of life, one's purpose in life, and how humans of all shapes and souls can find kindness within them. I'm a big fan of episodic narratives, which are somewhat of a trend amongst contemporary Japanese stories, and this one is perfectly executed. The core element of this story is a magic photo studio that people visit before they die, which is a cute and cozy fantastical take on death, which is another weird niche that I now love. It is a slow book, meandering at times, but manages to deliver a punch by the end, which makes it an extremely satisfying read.
This is for Studio Ghibli, Makoto Shinkai, and Before the Coffee Gets Cold fans, and is the perfect complement to a rainy day. Thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review! The Lantern of Lost Memories will be published in the US on Sep 17, 2024.
This is for Studio Ghibli, Makoto Shinkai, and Before the Coffee Gets Cold fans, and is the perfect complement to a rainy day. Thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review! The Lantern of Lost Memories will be published in the US on Sep 17, 2024.
February 17, 2023
Smutnie piękna, przede wszystkim w swej prostocie.
January 6, 2024
4.5✨ jest to bardzo „moja” książka, opowiadająca o momencie między życiem a śmiercią. historia o mocy wspomnień i pamięci, o zdjęciach, które skrywają w sobie wiele emocji i przeżyć. spokojna, poruszająca, piękna.
„Życie to podróż, w trakcie której stopniowo wypuszczamy pamięć z rąk”
„Życie to podróż, w trakcie której stopniowo wypuszczamy pamięć z rąk”
July 7, 2024
4.5/5 ⭐
Short, quick, full of emotion and bittersweet stories, a unique concept and approach to the last few moments a person has after they die. I enjoyed this so much and I think it deserves a try!
Short, quick, full of emotion and bittersweet stories, a unique concept and approach to the last few moments a person has after they die. I enjoyed this so much and I think it deserves a try!
April 9, 2024
Un très joli livre sur la vie sur la mort. Ce livre est comme un bonbon acidulé. Nous sommes dans un salon photographique ou un gardien attend les gens qui viennent de mourir pour leur proposer de construire une lanterne avec des photos de sa vie. Et pourquoi je parlais de bonbons acidulés parce qu’on pense à ce qu’on a réussi mais aussi à ce qu’on a échoué.
Si vous cherchez tout tranquille sur la vie sur la mort n’hésitez pas.
Si vous cherchez tout tranquille sur la vie sur la mort n’hésitez pas.
July 31, 2023
Nie powaliła, ale zdecydowanie tknęła czułą strunę w moim sercu, stąd 4 gwiazdki.
August 16, 2024
"These, Hatsue, are the photos of your life. One for every day, three hundred and sixty-five for every year."
⁕⁎⁕⁎⁕⁎ 3,5 stars rounded up ⭐ ⁎⁕⁎⁕⁎⁕
What happens after you have died? "The Lantern of Lost Memories" discusses the concept of a stop in a photo studio to choose and sometimes retake a favorite single photo for every year of your life to see before you go into the afterlife.
"You see, once you get here, it doesn't matter how wealthy or important you were in life. All you're left with are your memories."
In three completely different stories we get to know four different main characters, and, at least for me, a little bit more about Japan.
""You were broken." said the Mouse, looking right at him. "And I couldn't fix you. [...] I conducted as much research as possible. But I couldn't fix you. [...] I wanted to fix you."💔
And how can I not round up my rating to four stars, when a book with not even 200 pages, and especially the last two short stories with less than 40 pages each, made me drop a few tears?
"I find myself wondering what it even means for me to die if I don't remember anything and nobody knows who I was. A boring life, a boring death, and no one to ever remember me. Is there any meaning or purpose to my existence that way? Why was I even alive in the first place?"
I read "Before the Coffee gets Cold" earlier this year, and yes, my mind started to compare the two stories. But in the end, besides a small place for a short amount of time, they don't actually share that much in common (in case you were wondering).
I read the majority of the book in one sitting, and loved to get to know the people, especially their stories. This book is for everyone, that enjoyed the vibes of "Before the Coffee gets Cold" and wants to experience something short but meaningful. 🫰🏻
Thank you NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Sanaka Hiiragi for the advanced copy! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. "The Lantern of Lost Memories" in the English translation will be out on September, 17.
February 25, 2024
O altă surpriză plăcută de la un autor japonez.
Un studio foto în care ajungi atunci când mori și în care îți sunt arătate fotografii din timpul vieții tale.
Un studio foto în care ajungi atunci când mori și în care îți sunt arătate fotografii din timpul vieții tale.
February 28, 2023
Nastrojowe miejsce, tajemniczy „pracownicy“ i wgląd do przeszłości, jakiej zmienić już nie można, to częsty motyw w kulturze dzisiejszej Japonii. Wszystkie tytuły można włożyć do jednej szufladki, a jednocześnie każdy ma w sobie indywidualność, jaka budzi moją ciekawość. Najwyraźniej jednak moje serce w zetknięciu z nimi jest na dystans i czerpie więcej estetycznej niż emocjonalnej przyjemności, a pod względem stylu Sanaka Hiiragi niestety okazała się dla mnie zawodem. W akapitach bowiem panuje spory chaos formy (jak chociażby mieszanka czasów opisywania narracji), a dialogi często brzmią niczym zdania wycięte z gazet i sklejone do kupy, czyli po prostu sztucznie. Ogromnie irytujące. Kompozycja ma ładną klamerkę, pomysł jest ciekawy, a całości nie brakuje klimatu (nostalgia przemieszana z ciepłem), ale niestety nie należę do grona zadowolonych czytelników. Choć. Powieść za jakiś czas może zostać przeze mnie zapomniana, ale pozytywne uczucia, jakimi mnie obdarzyła, już niekoniecznie wyparują tak szybko. To natomiast jest ważne.
April 4, 2024
3,5/5 ⭐
Lectura del "marzo asiatico". Narración estilo japonesa, lenta, pausada en acción, descriptiva y detallada que se diferencia bastante de nuestro estilo más occidental donde se prima más la acción y los altibajos en la narrativa.
El libro se compone de tres bonitas historias que nos acercan a un estudio de fotografía regentado por Hirasaka donde, a través de Yama, el repartidor, llegan paquetes con fotografías y notas de las personas que van a llegar al estudio previo a su paso al otro mundo.
Así vemos en el estudio la historia de Hatsue, una anciana que fue maestra de infantil en la época de la posguerra, la historia de Waniguchi, un hombre de mala vida perteneciente a la yakuza y la dura historia de Mitsuru, una niña maltratada por su propia familia.
En el estudio las almas se encuentran en un espacio a medio camino entre el mundo de los vivos y el mundo de los muertos donde deberán elegir una foto por cada año vivido para conformar una linterna giratoria con los recuerdos de su vida y pasar así a lo que Hirasaka cree que es el Nirvana, ya que él no posee esa información.
Además viajarán como fantasmas a un determinado momento especial de su vida pasada y lo volverán a vivir haciendo una nueva fotografía que incorporarán a la linterna giratoria.
De hecho, Hirasaka no recuerda nada de su vida y vive a través de los que llegan al estudio sus vidas preguntándose mientras mira la única foto que tiene de lo que cree es su pasado quién fue y cómo llegó y se quedó allí en el estudio.
Me ha gustado los mensajes que dejan las historias aunque el estilo narrativo se me hace un tanto cuesta arriba 😅. De las tres historias, la mejor sin duda la última por lo que significa no solo para Mitsuru si no también para descubrir al verdadero Hirasaka
Lectura del "marzo asiatico". Narración estilo japonesa, lenta, pausada en acción, descriptiva y detallada que se diferencia bastante de nuestro estilo más occidental donde se prima más la acción y los altibajos en la narrativa.
El libro se compone de tres bonitas historias que nos acercan a un estudio de fotografía regentado por Hirasaka donde, a través de Yama, el repartidor, llegan paquetes con fotografías y notas de las personas que van a llegar al estudio previo a su paso al otro mundo.
Así vemos en el estudio la historia de Hatsue, una anciana que fue maestra de infantil en la época de la posguerra, la historia de Waniguchi, un hombre de mala vida perteneciente a la yakuza y la dura historia de Mitsuru, una niña maltratada por su propia familia.
En el estudio las almas se encuentran en un espacio a medio camino entre el mundo de los vivos y el mundo de los muertos donde deberán elegir una foto por cada año vivido para conformar una linterna giratoria con los recuerdos de su vida y pasar así a lo que Hirasaka cree que es el Nirvana, ya que él no posee esa información.
Además viajarán como fantasmas a un determinado momento especial de su vida pasada y lo volverán a vivir haciendo una nueva fotografía que incorporarán a la linterna giratoria.
De hecho, Hirasaka no recuerda nada de su vida y vive a través de los que llegan al estudio sus vidas preguntándose mientras mira la única foto que tiene de lo que cree es su pasado quién fue y cómo llegó y se quedó allí en el estudio.
Me ha gustado los mensajes que dejan las historias aunque el estilo narrativo se me hace un tanto cuesta arriba 😅. De las tres historias, la mejor sin duda la última por lo que significa no solo para Mitsuru si no también para descubrir al verdadero Hirasaka
March 14, 2023
5/5 ⭐
Bezapelacyjnie maksymalna możliwa ocena. Zakochałam się w każdym zdaniu, każdym słowie. A przede wszystkim w historiach, które ta książka opowiada. Na ostatnim (czyli 3) opowiadaniu ryczałam jak bóbr. Czuję, że ta książka na długo zostanie w mojej pamięci
Bezapelacyjnie maksymalna możliwa ocena. Zakochałam się w każdym zdaniu, każdym słowie. A przede wszystkim w historiach, które ta książka opowiada. Na ostatnim (czyli 3) opowiadaniu ryczałam jak bóbr. Czuję, że ta książka na długo zostanie w mojej pamięci
July 12, 2024
Honestamente, este libro no es que sea nada del otro mundo. No especialmente memorable, ni con una historia que no olvidarás jamás. Pero también es verdad que me ha encantado. ‘El pequeño estudio de los recuerdos perdidos’ es un libro-abrazo y es exactamente lo que yo necesitaba esta semana.
Plantea algo que, si bien es difícil de creer, es bonito pensar que ojalá fuera así.
La novela nos lleva hasta un estudio fotográfico muy especial, un lugar acogedor donde llegan las personas tras morir. Allí, acompañadas por una persona que les ayudará a entender lo que está pasando, les otorgan una fotografía de cada día de su vida y deben elegir una por año. Con ellas se hará una “lampara giratoria” que permite hacer un repaso por los momentos que han destacado antes de ir al otro lado.
Cada persona, además, tiene la oportunidad de viajar a un momento especial de su vida y hacer la fotografía de ese día. Así conoceremos las historias de tres personajes muy distintos (una anciana, un yakuza y una niña) que pasan por este estudio además del misterio que envuelve a Hirasaka, el trabajador del estudio, que no conserva ningún recuerdo de su vida anterior.
Mi historia favorita ha sido la primera, la de Hatsue, una mujer anciana, con una larga vida a sus espaldas, donde lo que destaca es su labor como maestra. La parte de cómo fue llevar a cabo ese trabajo después de la segunda guerra mundial, ¡me encantó!
Parece ser que la autora es amante de la fotografía y eso queda plasmado en la novela, en el cariño con el que habla de las diferentes cámaras y sus características, el proceso de revelado...
Lo dicho, una novela muy bonita, perfecta para cuando busques algo sencillo y acogedor. Una historia sobre el valor de los pequeños momentos a lo largo de una vida, para pensar sobre cuánto olvidamos sin darnos cuenta, pero cuánto queda en nosotros de cada día que vivimos.
Plantea algo que, si bien es difícil de creer, es bonito pensar que ojalá fuera así.
La novela nos lleva hasta un estudio fotográfico muy especial, un lugar acogedor donde llegan las personas tras morir. Allí, acompañadas por una persona que les ayudará a entender lo que está pasando, les otorgan una fotografía de cada día de su vida y deben elegir una por año. Con ellas se hará una “lampara giratoria” que permite hacer un repaso por los momentos que han destacado antes de ir al otro lado.
Cada persona, además, tiene la oportunidad de viajar a un momento especial de su vida y hacer la fotografía de ese día. Así conoceremos las historias de tres personajes muy distintos (una anciana, un yakuza y una niña) que pasan por este estudio además del misterio que envuelve a Hirasaka, el trabajador del estudio, que no conserva ningún recuerdo de su vida anterior.
Mi historia favorita ha sido la primera, la de Hatsue, una mujer anciana, con una larga vida a sus espaldas, donde lo que destaca es su labor como maestra. La parte de cómo fue llevar a cabo ese trabajo después de la segunda guerra mundial, ¡me encantó!
Parece ser que la autora es amante de la fotografía y eso queda plasmado en la novela, en el cariño con el que habla de las diferentes cámaras y sus características, el proceso de revelado...
Lo dicho, una novela muy bonita, perfecta para cuando busques algo sencillo y acogedor. Una historia sobre el valor de los pequeños momentos a lo largo de una vida, para pensar sobre cuánto olvidamos sin darnos cuenta, pero cuánto queda en nosotros de cada día que vivimos.
March 31, 2024
"-É assim mesmo. A vida é uma viagem em que vamos deixando memórias para trás!"✨
Este livro da autora Sanaka Hiiragi (Jap: 柊サナカ) traz-nos a história de Hirasaka, um homem que tem um estúdio fotográfico onde apenas recebe visitantes que se encontram no limbo. Prepara-os para a seguinte fase com uma conversa sobre a vida desse visitante, momentos marcantes e que fizeram a diferença na vida dessas pessoas. Ele pede apenas uma coisa ao visitante: que escolha 1 foto por cada ano de vida que teve: podem ser 10, 30, 50 ou 90 anos (fotos) mas dá-lhes a oportunidade de escolher uma nova foto relacionada com um momento único da sua vida. E é aqui que entram as histórias de 3 personagens .
Quando terminei de ler este livro senti que era uma história plena e emotiva, tal como maior parte das histórias de origem japonesa nos traz (a tal febre do romance japonês contemporâneo) mas não senti que tivesse sido um livro grandioso. Gostei da escrita e da forma como a história se desenrolou mas no final até fiquei um pouco insatisfeita e com algumas dúvidas.
Por outro lado, esta foi leitura conjunta no Clube Som das Páginas (livro do mês de Fevereiro) e a discussão sobre as personagens, as suas histórias e algumas simbologias trouxeram-me um bocado de paz e até mais interesse sobre o livro. É possível que numa próxima leitura veja isto com outros olhos.
Até me fez alterar o rating para umas pequenas 4🌟. Mas não esperem daqui uma obra-prima.
Este livro da autora Sanaka Hiiragi (Jap: 柊サナカ) traz-nos a história de Hirasaka, um homem que tem um estúdio fotográfico onde apenas recebe visitantes que se encontram no limbo. Prepara-os para a seguinte fase com uma conversa sobre a vida desse visitante, momentos marcantes e que fizeram a diferença na vida dessas pessoas. Ele pede apenas uma coisa ao visitante: que escolha 1 foto por cada ano de vida que teve: podem ser 10, 30, 50 ou 90 anos (fotos) mas dá-lhes a oportunidade de escolher uma nova foto relacionada com um momento único da sua vida. E é aqui que entram as histórias de 3 personagens .
Quando terminei de ler este livro senti que era uma história plena e emotiva, tal como maior parte das histórias de origem japonesa nos traz (a tal febre do romance japonês contemporâneo) mas não senti que tivesse sido um livro grandioso. Gostei da escrita e da forma como a história se desenrolou mas no final até fiquei um pouco insatisfeita e com algumas dúvidas.
Por outro lado, esta foi leitura conjunta no Clube Som das Páginas (livro do mês de Fevereiro) e a discussão sobre as personagens, as suas histórias e algumas simbologias trouxeram-me um bocado de paz e até mais interesse sobre o livro. É possível que numa próxima leitura veja isto com outros olhos.
Até me fez alterar o rating para umas pequenas 4🌟. Mas não esperem daqui uma obra-prima.
March 23, 2024
O carte absolut SUPERBĂ, am ascultat-o cu sufletul la gură.
Povestea este de o sensibilitate și emoție cum rar am mai întâlnit la autorii asiatici (citesc puțini și rareori îmi plac).
Hirasaka are un studio foto care se află între lumea celor vii și tărâmul de dincolo. Pe pragul studioului calcă oamenii pentru a-și revedea viața prin intermediul pozelor. Hirasaka îi ajută să înțeleagă ce se întâmplă, le vorbește cu calm, dar le și ascultă poveștile importante din trecut.
Cele trei persoane cu care interacționează Hirasaka sunt: o bătrână educatoare, în vârstă de nouăzeci și doi de ani, un membru yakuza, de patruzeci și șapte de ani, și o copilă. Aceștia își vor retrăi cea mai frumoasă amintire din viața lor și chiar toate au fost frumoase și dureroase. Aş mai fi ascultat încă cateva ore, mi-au plăcut enorm.
Cu siguranță am ascultat-o la momentul potrivit, cred că aveam nevoie de cartea asta. Mi-a hrănit sufletul și nu o voi uita degrabă.
Povestea este de o sensibilitate și emoție cum rar am mai întâlnit la autorii asiatici (citesc puțini și rareori îmi plac).
Hirasaka are un studio foto care se află între lumea celor vii și tărâmul de dincolo. Pe pragul studioului calcă oamenii pentru a-și revedea viața prin intermediul pozelor. Hirasaka îi ajută să înțeleagă ce se întâmplă, le vorbește cu calm, dar le și ascultă poveștile importante din trecut.
Cele trei persoane cu care interacționează Hirasaka sunt: o bătrână educatoare, în vârstă de nouăzeci și doi de ani, un membru yakuza, de patruzeci și șapte de ani, și o copilă. Aceștia își vor retrăi cea mai frumoasă amintire din viața lor și chiar toate au fost frumoase și dureroase. Aş mai fi ascultat încă cateva ore, mi-au plăcut enorm.
Cu siguranță am ascultat-o la momentul potrivit, cred că aveam nevoie de cartea asta. Mi-a hrănit sufletul și nu o voi uita degrabă.
June 26, 2023
ej wspaniała i kurcze bardzo bym chciała, żeby ta koncepcja na świat była częścią rzeczywistości.🥹
October 2, 2023
Podoba mi się japońskie spojrzenie na życie - historia jest krótka, niespieszna (ale nie nudna!), pozwalająca na refleksję i chwilę zatrzymania się. Niezwykle nastrojowa i pełna nostalgii.
October 5, 2024
Short and easy to read. The translation seems good.
My one line story blurb: a person is given one chance to go back after death by choosing one photograph from many which featured moments of their life
However, I could not connect with the characters or the writing that much. Sadly, this book turned out to be quite underwhelming for me. The story seems quite fragmented and couldn’t hold my interest till the end for such a short book.
TW for abuse.
What didn’t work for me which would most possibly work for others:
The out-of-nowhere rules which seem to be made up on the spot without much meaning to them.
I understand the story could be anything for such books but this one didn’t click with me. It’s my kind of weird but just couldn’t vibe with my kind of weird.
I liked the beginning and the ending. The in-between felt rather like it was happening in some other fantasy world not at all related to the story. It could have been easily a perfect short story.
My one line story blurb: a person is given one chance to go back after death by choosing one photograph from many which featured moments of their life
However, I could not connect with the characters or the writing that much. Sadly, this book turned out to be quite underwhelming for me. The story seems quite fragmented and couldn’t hold my interest till the end for such a short book.
TW for abuse.
What didn’t work for me which would most possibly work for others:
The out-of-nowhere rules which seem to be made up on the spot without much meaning to them.
I understand the story could be anything for such books but this one didn’t click with me. It’s my kind of weird but just couldn’t vibe with my kind of weird.
I liked the beginning and the ending. The in-between felt rather like it was happening in some other fantasy world not at all related to the story. It could have been easily a perfect short story.
September 22, 2024
3.5 stars
The concept of this short novel is so lovely: pick out photos of the best moments of your life to watch as a slideshow of memories before you move on to the afterlife, whatever that ends up being. And if one of those memories is too blurry to see clearly, you can go back to the day, relive it, and retake the photo.
I love the respectful, gentle, and beautiful way this book looks at death. It serves as a reminder that one lives on in the memories of others and that no life is wasted and that no day in a life is insignificant. I liked the first of the three stories the most.
The concept of this short novel is so lovely: pick out photos of the best moments of your life to watch as a slideshow of memories before you move on to the afterlife, whatever that ends up being. And if one of those memories is too blurry to see clearly, you can go back to the day, relive it, and retake the photo.
I love the respectful, gentle, and beautiful way this book looks at death. It serves as a reminder that one lives on in the memories of others and that no life is wasted and that no day in a life is insignificant. I liked the first of the three stories the most.
June 2, 2024
4.5 Stars
A lovely story of a magical place, a photo studio where those people who are technically no longer living, but are temporarily waiting for the opportunity to revisit some of the more meaningful moments of their life.
When they arrive, they are given a box of photographs of their life over the years, and may choose one photo for every year that they lived. Before they leave to go to the what follows, the photos are shared with them through a lantern where they are able to revisit these moments of their lives.
Each of their stories are very different, as are the characters, but I found this to be, at times, a touching and uplifting story that might leave you revisiting some of the moments in your life.
Pub Date: 17 Sep 2024
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Grand Central Publishing
May 22, 2024
Niestety, trochę zawód. Super koncepcja, ale czy to był dobry wybór na główne opowieści? Raczej nudny wybór. A ostatni rozdział nie jest w stanie tego uratować.
March 2, 2024
Este livro conta 3 estórias de pessoas que têm de escolher a fotografia ou fotografias que simbolizem a sua vida. São 3 estórias bem diferentes e em nada semelhantes.
Se tivesse que escolher uma fotografia que definisse a minha vida, não seria capaz de escolher só uma. Havia alguns momentos que gostaria de recriar mas seria incapaz de me dedicar a um só.
Se tivesse que escolher uma fotografia que definisse a minha vida, não seria capaz de escolher só uma. Havia alguns momentos que gostaria de recriar mas seria incapaz de me dedicar a um só.
February 12, 2023
Każde opowiadanie miało swój urok (ostatnie złamało mi serce - tw: znęcanie i przemoc nad dzieckiem). A jako fotograf, doceniam każdy fotograficzny aspekt zawarty w tej książce! ✨
April 29, 2023
ahhhh… jakie to było wspaniałe
June 18, 2023
Coś pięknego...
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