the nakano thrift shop by hiromi kawakami

The two young employees, Takeo and our narrator, Hitomi, live in the casual world of their employer, the enigmatic and eccentric Mr. A quiet little novel about the employees and regulars of second-hand antiques store in Western Tokyo, this book shows how much can be accomplished through the strength of well-written characters without needing much of a plot to propel you forward. The Nakano Thrift Shop by Hiromi Kawakami-lovingly and gorgeously translated by the always impressive Allison Markin Powell-was just that sort of book for me and a balm on my soul when I needed it. Some books feel like a warm, heavy blanket on a crisp morning, something you take in soft and slow and while you are getting nowhere fast you are everywhere you want to be. Nakano himself, an original, entertaining, and enigmatic creation whose compulsive mannerisms, secretive love life, and impulsive behavior defy all expectations. But thanks in part to Masayo, Hitomi will come to realize that love, desire, and intimacy require acceptance not only of idiosyncrasies but also of the delicate waltz between open and hidden secrets.Īnimating each delicately rendered chapter in Kawakami's playful novel is Mr. Unsure of how to attract his attention, she seeks advice from her employer's sister, Masayo, whose sentimental entanglements make her a somewhat unconventional guide. Nakano's thrift shop, has fallen for her coworker, the oddly reserved Takeo. Hitomi, the inexperienced young woman who works the register at Mr. If examined carefully, they show the signs of innumerable extravagancies, of immeasurable pleasure and pain, and of the deep mysteries of the human heart.

But like those same customers and staff, they hold many secrets. Objects for sale at the Nakano Thrift Shop appear as commonplace as the staff and customers that handle them. From the author of Strange Weather in Tokyo comes this funny, heartwarming story about love, life, and human relationships that features a delightfully offbeat cast of characters.

The nakano thrift shop by hiromi kawakami