The Passengers on the Hankyu Line

This is an enjoyable light novel that brings together an array of characters from different backgrounds, all of whom travel on the same train line in Japan. Strangers connect with each other in all kinds of curious ways with interesting outcomes. A controlling abusive boyfriend gets dumped; a young woman gets sweet revenge from a conniving woman who stole her man; a shy young couple who vie for the same library books find love; a grandmother gets a dog to remind her of her deceased husband who experienced an unfortunate altercation with her family pet when they were courting; a bullied student gets some helpful advice; a shy couple of misfits find each other; and a housewife learns a valuable lesson about the emptiness of show more status.

Basically, this is a series of connected short stories. Arikawa accomplishes a lot in a fairly short novel. The scenery keeps changing as do the characters, yet the setting remains the same—it's a train ride. What her narrative lacks in suspense, it more than makes up for in humanity. show less

This book follows the Hankyu line train on the outskirts of Osaka, as it travels up to the terminus and (six months later) down again. Each chapter has the name of a station and follows different passengers as they think about their lives, eavesdrop on each other's conversations and give what seems like a surprising amount of unsolicited advice to each other. This is squarely in the 'healing fiction' genre (which I've noticed recently has spread beyond Japan and South Korean authors) - bite-sized chapters in which people make important decisions about their life choices, in a heartwarming way. Reading them is like sitting down with a box of chocolates and nibbling your way through.

The girls erupted into more squeals and high-pitched show more laughter. Misa’s shoulders quivered with a suppressed giggle. The looks from the other passengers in their car grew sterner – but rather than give them the side-eye, thought Misa, they’d be better off listening to the conversation and having a laugh. show less

Books set in Japan always make you wish you were there. This time, I wish I lived in Obayashi, the town where Shoko (the woman who could have been a bride) moved to, after the elderly woman (Tokie) she met on the train recommended that she stop there. You could say that a random act of kindness changed her life. Other random or premeditated acts (Yuki had planned to talk to Masahi) changed the lives of some other passengers. Misa broke up with her jerk of a boyfriend because an offhand comment from Tokie (again) woke her up to how good-for-nothing he is, and perhaps even gave her the courage to do so. She then paid it forward by being kind and attentive to Yasue, the lady who lacked the courage to leave the group of friends she had long show more tired of. You never know how far a small act of kindness can go. show less

This novel in translation details the lives of people who are riding on the Hankyu line, on various trains in the line. The chapters are short and provide readers with vignettes of the riders, who range from teenagers to elderly folks. Situations involve love relationships, pets, manners, friendships, and other very human aspects of everyday life. The writing style is simplistic and enjoyable, easy to read. The first part of the book features the outward journey, and the second part the return trip. This second part of the book brings readers up to date with what has been happening in the lives of the riders. I enjoyed dipping in and out of the stories, and pausing in between them to think about the characters and the culture of Japan show more as evidenced in the book. This book was a welcome and unusual addition to my reading repertoire.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own. show less

The sensitive, misunderstood souls who ride the Hankyu train line long for connection to others. In this sweet example of Japanese "light fiction," random, everyday encounters, such as the kind one has on a commuter train, lead to valuable realizations and even, in some cases, lasting love.

I found the novel's intertwining plotlines charming, if at times a little hard to follow.

Recommended for readers who are interested in modern Japanese culture.

I received an electronic copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

I love that each station on a particular line has a story that had to be told.
The feisty grandmother teaches her granddaughter about the train and the ethics of train travel, probably my most favourite character.