Reviewed by Lianne on
The Rental Sister is an interesting novel looking at profound internal grief and the way it affects people, as well as the gradual connection that people can develop over the course of their struggle to move beyond their personal suffering. On one level, this novel is quite sad as the reader learns more about the pain that both Thomas and Megumi experienced in the past. Although the novel is rather slim, the development of Megumi and Thomas’ connection is gradual. Through their burgeoning relationship, they work through their individual hurt and loss, and begin to see a sliver of hope, of optimism, of life beyond the sadness, both in each other and in the world outside Thomas’ room.
Reading this novel reminded me of Benjamin Constable's Three Lives of Tomomi Ishikawa and Japanese novels with regards to the melancholy that just seeps off the page. It’s kind of hard to describe it but it definitely sets a mood to the novel and the perspectives that come out of Megumi and Thomas’ stories.
Overall, this novel was both an interesting read and also quite touching. It can be sad and heartbreaking at times but there is also optimism and hope at the end, as well as a beauty that springs from the connection that these characters develop. And the ending was bittersweet but satisfying. Readers of contemporary and literary books may want to check this novel out.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 10 May, 2014: Finished reading
- 10 May, 2014: Reviewed