Days at the Morisaki Bookshop

by Satoshi Yagisawa

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop is a gently written slice-of-life love letter to bibliophiles written by Satoshi Yagisawa and translated by Eric Ozawa. Released 4th July 2023 by HarperCollins on their Harper Perennial imprint, it's 160 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is such a warm and whimsical story, entirely character driven. It meanders, often touchingly, through the daily lives, dreams and hopes of the characters and their interactions with one another. It's indelibly Japanese in its sensibilities, culture, and grammar. It does read as though it's literature in translation (and that's not a bad thing). The translation work is competent and seems true to the original text. 

The book is full of references to other works of Japanese literature. In the translator's afterword, he notes that not all of the books mentioned are available in translation (yet), but also notes many of the ones which are currently available. 

Four stars. It's a delightful very short read. Quite a lot of story, without a lot of conflict or action. A relaxing and delightful experience. This would make a great choice for public or school library acquisition, book club discussion, or home library. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.