As the title suggests, the novel’s plot thickens around this and other 'premonitions,' which are actually more like hauntings ... There’s a matter-of-factness to Yoshimoto’s prose that would feel stultifying if it weren’t so mischievous.
A strange and compelling novella, perfect to read in one sitting. Banana Yoshimoto has created a simple but touching tale where the reader embarks on a journey alongside the protagonist. Ultimately, this is a story about family. Yoshimoto explores the way we are connected to our family, not just corporeally but soulfully as well.
Brisk ... An adroit translation ... Yoshimoto builds a satisfying narrative of a young girl figuring out who she is, and how her family may be more than she realized. While much of the plot hinges on Yayoi’s preternatural intuitions, each step is carefully plotted to slowly unearth the secrets of the past. No word is misspent in Yoshimoto’s taut tale.
