The Perfect World of Miwako Sumida

The Perfect World of Miwako Sumida - Clarissa Goenawan

Description

A bewitching novel set in contemporary Japan about the mysterious suicide of a young woman.

Miwako Sumida is dead.

Now those closest to her try to piece together the fragments of her life. Ryusei, who has always loved her, follows Miwako’s trail to a remote Japanese village. Chie, Miwako’s best friend, was the only person to know her true identity ― but is now the time to reveal it? Meanwhile, Fumi, Ryusei’s sister, is harbouring her own haunting secret.

Together, they realise that the young woman they thought they knew had more going on behind her seemingly perfect façade than they could ever have dreamed.

Review

I'm not sure how, but the beautiful writing of this book perfectly evokes the sense and being of Japan. The phrasing and gestures described throughout the book spoke to me of Japan, and reminded me of my visit there. Although the author is from Singapore she has spent a lot of time in Japan.

I was drawn to this book because it was set in Japan and wasn't sure what to expect, what could be mysterious about a suicide? The book delves into the past of the characters and also shows us the story from the different perspectives of those who met and interacted with Miwako before her death. Her friends discovering themselves as they go in search of who Miwako truly was and what it meant to be her. As the book progressed there were several unexpected turns of events that I had not encountered within a book before. So many questions were left unanswered driving you onto to want to read more and find out what it all meant.

Whilst the subject of suicide could be seen as dark for a novel, the writing never lets you feel that way. The spirit of Miwako is alive through the book and all you want to do is to discover her character. I am not totally sure I understood all of the book, especially the ending - obviously it is open to personal interpretation. Having read the book with Pigeonhole and the author, I think that is how she intended it to be.

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars and my thanks to Pigeonhole for the staves to read.

Comments

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