Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
‘Days at the Morisaki Bookshop’ by Satoshi Yagisawa was my companion on a train ride to the coastal state of Goa, India. The title makes you expect something leisurely, relaxed… a story that perhaps explores the joys of reading. And well, the novel does deliver something on those lines, at least in its first half.
Translated to English by Eric Ozawa, ‘Days at the Morisaki Bookshop’ begins with the memories of a bleak, awful heartbreak. Protagonist Takako quits her job after breaking up with her boyfriend and doesn’t know what to do next with her life. So when her maternal uncle Satoru offers her free boarding at his bookshop in exchange for some help with the store, she reluctantly agrees.
Here’s the deal: Takako is neither a fan of books, nor her eccentric uncle. So ‘Days at the Morisaki Bookshop’ follows the unlikely blossoming of friendship between the uncle and niece, and most importantly, her newfound love for books. At first, Takako is completely annoyed by the piles of books cluttering her new boarding, although eventually, they become a source of comfort. Think ‘enemies-to-lovers,’ but swap the love interest for books, the real romance of this story.
Author Satoshi Yagisawa sets the fictional world of ‘Days at the Morisaki Bookshop’ at the historic neighborhood of Jimbocho, Tokyo, which is famous for its secondhand bookstores and book fairs. So the book offers a fascinating setting for bibliophiles and is laden with several references to Japanese literary titles. Satoru inducts his niece Takako into the world of literature and also invites her to a beautiful coffee shop which becomes her regular haunt. She befriends the young waitress there, and the two bond over books, coffee, and conversations.
What doesn’t necessarily flow too well in the book is the shift in its focus to Momoko, Satoru’s estranged wife, in the second-half. Momoko’s character embodies the ‘Manic Pixie Dream Girl’ type, except that she is in her late 40s or early 50s (we aren’t informed of her exact age). You know, the stereotypical beautiful, quirky, mysterious woman, who does whatever she feels like, and is a bit of a heart-breaker. Her sub-plot felt overtly romanticized, and her hurtful ways are forgiven far too easily.
Which leads me to Takako, only 25, yet speaking as though she’s a retired grandmother past her shelf life. It makes you wonder if Yagisawa genuinely thinks women over 24 are past their dating expiry, or if he’s intentionally highlighting the harsh societal expectations placed on Japanese women. Hopefully, it’s the latter. Takako barely asserts herself, has low self-respect, and even as the narrator of ‘Days at the Morisaki Bookshop’, reveals astonishingly little about who she is beyond her newfound interest in books and coffee.
But well, given that this novel is under 200 pages, the author does weave an interesting world of books and people that will keep readers breezing through ‘Days at the Morisaki Bookshop’ within hours. It’s a simple enough story of a young, lonely woman healing her devastating heartbreak by reconnecting with her uncle and reading books. The author subtly displays the transformative power of literature and stories on humans. And instead of shifting attention away from Takako’s life in the last half, I would’ve preferred if the author had explored more of what happens with her when she develops a romantic interest in someone who frequents the bookshop.
The climactic pages feel rushed, abrupt, with the kind of ‘feel good’ ending which feels forced upon. But well, read ‘Days at the Morisaki Bookshop’ if you don’t mind a meandering book about books, coffee, love, heartbreak, and loneliness.
Rating: 3 on 5.
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