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wenwanzhao's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Starting this book, I thought it would be another one of those episodic magical realist Japanese fiction novels that beautifully illustrated the precious nature of life. It definitely met up to those standards, but when all of the seemingly unimportant threads throughout the stories tied up at the end of the final chapter, I genuinely cried. I find a lot of meaning in stories where ordinary people are able to do life-changing things through small actions, and Hiiragi depicted that perfectly in The Lantern of Lost Memories.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Xenophobia, and Medical content
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and War
giraffe786's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book is three short stories that are interconnected by one character. The first chapter/story is lovely and heartwarming. The woman is kind and you feel a sense of coziness as she reflects on her life. The second chapter/story takes a dark turn and has a very different feel. The third chapter/story is very sad but comes full circle again at the end and ends on a positive note. Overall this story covers a range of different themes but does have challenging topics in that I wasn’t prepared for. It’s still a good read but is tinged with sadness
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, and Child death
Moderate: Animal death
jstilts's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Another Japanese "comfort novel"? This one packs a punch that will bring tears to your eye.
This magical book sees the mysterious-even-to-himself Hirasaka running a photography studio housed between death and the afterlife, where the recently deceased stop to sort through photos of their life to assemble a somehow necessary "life-flashing-before-their-eyes" montage, with an opportunity to revisit one day of their life to capture a better photo.
It's again a repetitive novel but with only three iterations: a 92 year old lady with a full life, a middle-aged Yakuza gangster with a strange crew (it's a great tale!), and MILD SPOILER finally in the shortest tale a severely abused child who is only briefly there because she is enduring a near-death experience.
The conclusion is satisfying in that Hirasaka's story is - with a little reflection and 4th-dimensional thinking - almost fully revealed.
Rating this highly as in my opinion it uses the "Japanese Comfort Novel" genre as a bit of a sly disguise to take us by surprise with something slightly more impactful - one that will stick with me.
This magical book sees the mysterious-even-to-himself Hirasaka running a photography studio housed between death and the afterlife, where the recently deceased stop to sort through photos of their life to assemble a somehow necessary "life-flashing-before-their-eyes" montage, with an opportunity to revisit one day of their life to capture a better photo.
It's again a repetitive novel but with only three iterations: a 92 year old lady with a full life, a middle-aged Yakuza gangster with a strange crew (it's a great tale!), and MILD SPOILER finally in the shortest tale a severely abused child who is only briefly there because she is enduring a near-death experience.
The conclusion is satisfying in that Hirasaka's story is - with a little reflection and 4th-dimensional thinking - almost fully revealed.
Rating this highly as in my opinion it uses the "Japanese Comfort Novel" genre as a bit of a sly disguise to take us by surprise with something slightly more impactful - one that will stick with me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Dementia
entropyseeker's review against another edition
4.0
The formatting of this book is similar to a few other popularly translated books from Japan, like When the Coffee Gets Cold and is written in 3 parts. It's a quick read and I liked that each story had a small twist. I was a little shocked at the content of the last arc so don't forget to read the CWs
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Animal death
hawkes's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, and Confinement
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Murder
kaneebli's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Death
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, and Grief
Minor: Animal cruelty, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and War
bellebookcorner's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
“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.”
If you’re looking for more stories like Before the Coffee Gets Cold then you'll have to get this one!
This wonderful life-affirming stories centred around what happen after you die like those who experience ‘memories flashing before your eyes’.
Set in a place between life and death, Hiraka’s photo studio will help each person to choose their most fond memories to be placed on a lantern. Once completed, the lantern will be spun to guide them to the afterlife.
I really like getting to know how each character live their lives especially the old woman from the first story.
I absolutely love the way how each story will eventually connect with each other and in just 200 pages this book manage to made me shed a few tears.
Overall, it’s a touching well-written story with meaningful and powerful messages scattered throughout the book.
I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and War
jemmacrosland's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
1.5
I was drawn into this book because of the interesting premise, and it is recommended for Japanese translated fiction fans, especially for fans of the 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold' series. However I didn't find this to be cosy like the other translated fiction/magical realism books I've enjoyed as I just found it far too morbid.
It started off well and I was very intrigued as I really do love the expansion of the idea of 'your life flashes before your eyes before death'. The book is split into 3 parts, 3 separate stories. I just found myself lost by story 2 and I was very confused by the storyline. For me, it was the third story which just made me want to DNF, it was so sad and I didn't feel hopeful or find the positives within the story.
There is also an audiobook available for this book and I partly listened to this book via audio, I really liked the narration. If you are interested in reading this, I would highly recommend reading content warnings as the 3rd story in particular was very triggering to me.
1.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and Sanaka Hiiragi for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy.
It started off well and I was very intrigued as I really do love the expansion of the idea of 'your life flashes before your eyes before death'. The book is split into 3 parts, 3 separate stories. I just found myself lost by story 2 and I was very confused by the storyline. For me, it was the third story which just made me want to DNF, it was so sad and I didn't feel hopeful or find the positives within the story.
There is also an audiobook available for this book and I partly listened to this book via audio, I really liked the narration. If you are interested in reading this, I would highly recommend reading content warnings as the 3rd story in particular was very triggering to me.
1.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and Sanaka Hiiragi for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
rambling_willow's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
4.75
The Lantern of Lost Memories is a story about the lives of people who have just passed away. They get to select their favourite memories to keep, and more importantly, revisit the one they have treasured the most. The reader gets to read about the lives they have lived and the impact they have made on others. The book has multiple stories combined into one, almost like an anthology, but there is an overarching story loosely woven in, giving it a satisfying end.
Although the themes of this book are hopeful, it does have darker moments. Consider looking up the trigger warnings.
Thank you NetGalley and Picador for giving me access to this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Although the themes of this book are hopeful, it does have darker moments. Consider looking up the trigger warnings.
Thank you NetGalley and Picador for giving me access to this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, and Child death
Moderate: Animal death and Death
Minor: Animal cruelty and War
cutepatzie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was such an amazing read. Short but powerful. I love the concept of this book. That lets you believe that maybe going afterlife is not so bad. The concept was great. And I love how each of them complement each other. And make you reflect on many things. The kind f open-close adding was great. Just good, wise book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Dementia, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: War