A review by wenwanzhao
The Lantern of Lost Memories by Sanaka Hiiragi

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, Medical content

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, War