Laura Imai Messina

Based on a real phone box people visit to talk to their departed loved ones, this is a gentle story even though its subject is one of dealing with loss; of how to open oneself up to a future in which one can find the right balance to live a hopeful and love-filled existence, even though genuine grief’s a close companion through life. Snippets and minor details intersperse the chapters to the section just read, which lend the book a certain unique charm and style. Yes, the story lingers afterwards, although I its emotional aspect failed to move me.… (more)

I was keen to read this novel after my cousin recommended it to me.

I found it to be a fairly easy read although I must admit it didn't really grab me. For me, there were too many small characters introduced that didn't really contribute to the overall narrative. Similarly I found too many small plot deviations or tangents that never really went anywhere and did not contribute to the story-line overall. It seemed there was a lot of "filler", and in some cases repetition. I feel that it's a book that would be enjoyed more by women than men.

The book was OK, being saved by a premise that was away from the norm. I wonder whether Japanese experience and concepts, written by an Italian living in Japan and then translated into English resulted in something being lost.… (more)