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What You Are Looking For Is in the Library

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What You Are Looking For Is in the Library
AuthorMichiko Aoyama [ja]
Original titleお探し物は図書室まで
TranslatorAlison Watts
PublisherPoplar Publishing [ja], Hanover Square Press
Publication date
2021
Published in English
2023
ISBN9781804994139

What You Are Looking For Is in the Library (Japanese: お探し物は図書室まで, romanized: O sagashi mono wa toshu shitsu made) is a short story collection by Japanese writer Michiko Aoyama [ja].

Premise

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5 people in Tokyo find themselves struggling with their lives. They each enter the Hatori Community House, where they meet the librarian Sayuri Komachi, who can sense what they need in life and give them the book they need to overcome their problems.

Reception

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The novel received positive reviews. It was nominated for the 2021 Japan Booksellers' Award[1] and took 2nd place.[2] TIME Magazine named it one of the 100 "must-read" books of 2023, calling it a "refreshing and hopeful look at the power of books and the durability of dreams."[3]

The Irish Times called the novel "endearing" and praised the tone and translation.[4] Kirkus Reviews praised the characterization and wrote that the book was a "delightful, gentle unfolding of stories that offer hope and joy to those who find themselves in a pivotal moment in life."[5] Robin Sloan, writing for the New York Times, praised the translation and characterization, and called it an "undeniable page-turner".[6] The Straits Times gave a more mixed review, calling the prose "almost soppily sentimental", criticizing the descriptions of Komachi as "border[ing] uncomfortably on fat-shaming" and lamenting the lack of background given to Komachi.[7]

NHK broadcast an audiodrama based on the book starring Toshiyuki Nishida and Keiko Takeshita in 2022.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "2021 Japan Booksellers' Award Nominations". Kinokuniya USA. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  2. ^ "2021年 第18回本屋大賞". 本屋大賞 (Japan Booksellers' Award Official Site). Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  3. ^ "'What You Are Looking For Is in the Library' Is One of the 100 Must-Read Books of 2023". TIME Magazine. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  4. ^ Hession, Rónán (16 July 2023). "July's best fiction in translation, chosen by Rónán Hession". The Irish Times. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  5. ^ "WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IS IN THE LIBRARY | Kirkus Reviews". Kirkus Reviews. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  6. ^ Sloan, Robin (5 September 2023). "Books Recommended With Uncommon Wisdom and Tender Care". New York Times. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  7. ^ Sim, Walter (12 November 2023). "Book review: What You Are Looking For Is In The Library is a paean to the power of books". The Straits Times. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  8. ^ "お探し物は図書室まで". NHKオーディオドラマ (in Japanese). Retrieved 16 November 2024.
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