It’s been a while since I hosted a giveaway, so in the spirit of December giving. delighted to share today’s book review and giveaway for five copies of Akiko’s Quiet Happiness by Jan-Philipp Sendker. You may know him from his trilogy, The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, which I’d love to read now after experiencing Jan’s gifted writing in Akiko’s Quiet Happiness, The Japan Trilogy, Vol. 1.
Akiko’s Quiet Happiness
My thanks to Other Press for the complimentary ARC of Akiko’s Quiet Happiness to review and host a giveaway. All opinions are my own.
About Akiko’s Quiet Happiness: The Japan Trilogy, Vol. 1. By Jan-Philipp Sendker/ Originally published in German and translated by Daniel Bowles/Other Press Trade Paperback Original/Genre: Fiction/Coming of Age/356 pages
About the Author: Jan-Philipp Sendker, born in Hamburg in 1960, was the American correspondent for Stern from 1990 to 1995, and its Asian correspondent from 1995 to 1999. In 2000, he published Cracks in the Wall, a nonfiction book about China. The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, his first novel, is an international bestseller. He lives in Potsdam with his family.
About the Translator: Daniel Bowles is Associate Professor of German Studies at Boston College. His translation of Imperium won the Goethe-Institut’s Helen & Kurt Wolff Translator’s Prize in 2016.
Book Synopsis:
“Two lonely former classmates reconnect in Tokyo and unravel a family secret. Still grieving the death of her mother, 29-year-old Akiko is single and lives in self-imposed isolation in Tokyo. Then one evening, she unexpectedly runs into Kento, her first love from school. Kento now leads a reclusive life as a hikikomori, only venturing out at night.
At the same time, Akiko discovers evidence that her mother had been lying to her about their family, causing her to doubt everything. She has to admit to herself that she doesn’t know who she is.
With Kento’s help, Akiko embarks on a journey into her own history, which takes her life in surprising directions and leads her to questions she had never dared to ask herself before: How do I want to live? And do I have the courage to love?”
My Thoughts:
Akiko’s Quiet Happiness is a charming, tender read. The tempo is measured and soothing. It was almost too slow for my taste at the beginning of the book. I sat it down for a few days, and when I came back to it on a chilly, cozy afternoon, I found it much more appealing. I suggest reading this book when you need a slow, cozy, heartwarming read that takes you into the Japanese world of Akiko.
On the outside, it looks as though Akiko has her life together. She’s got a good job, she’s got a strong circle of friends, and she’s settled into an apartment with her Mom in a vibrant city.
She is, for the most part, happy with her life as a single lady, even if her friends don’t understand her desire not to couple up. She works long hours at her accounting job, and while she’s not thrilled with the demands on her time, she knows she’s good at it, so she doesn’t yearn for anything else.
She is settled in her life and thinks all is well, until her mom passes away. In her grief, she moves through her days, one day flowing into the nest, until fate steps in. She sees her former classmate, Kento, and everything about her life changes.
Once she met Kento and started remembering their middle school and high school days together, I became intrigued and then highly invested in this story.
I think Akiko and Kento help each other in profound ways. Mainly, their conversations give each other permission to ask tough questions of themselves. They become friends again, and Kento even ventures out of his self-imposed isolation to at first socialize, and then later comfort and support Akiko during one of her most heartbreaking days.
The Takeaway:
This is a beautiful story of friendship, family, loss, and grieving. Of losing yourself and your purpose in grief. Then finding a way back to yourself and realizing that new opportunities are waiting for you that lead to a life of happiness. I can’t wait to read volume 2 of Akiko’s Quiet Happiness.
If you enjoy book reviews, please check out my other recent book reviews here on the blog.
Win It:
Thanks to today’s sponsor, Other Press, five lucky winners will receive a paperback copy of Akiko’s Quiet Happiness: The Japan Trilogy, Vol. 1. By Jan-Philipp Sendker. Open to USA residents only. Please read all the terms outlined below so that your entry is valid. I do check them.
Terms:
No purchase is necessary to enter using the Giveaway Tools form below. My WAHM Plan is not responsible for prize fulfillment; the sponsor is. Winners will be notified by email used on the entry form and have 48 hours to respond, or another winner will be chosen. This giveaway is not associated with nor endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, or any other social channel.
Please share in comments: If you won a copy of this book, would you keep it or gift it?
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