Reviews

Quello che affidiamo al vento by Laura Imai Messina

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cotswoldmama's review against another edition

1.0

Persevered to half way but just really struggled so I've given up, too sentimental and nothing really has happened. Maybe the second half is better but I've wasted too much of my life trying to read the first half!

banno_2716's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Set against the backdrop of the 2011 tsunami in Japan, this book is beautifully written. It will draw you into the pain of those who have lost loved ones while at the same time allowing you to feel hopeful and even gently joyful

lyzzard84's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

5.0

sushicatx's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5!!! This book felt so slow at the start and I struggled connecting to the characters, but it ended up being one of the most beautiful books, regarding grief, I have ever read.

gardenteacakesbooks's review against another edition

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4.0

The first half of this book deals with the after effects of the tsunami, with Yui living in a school gymnasium for the following months. It broke my heart, my sister can attest to my sobbing and rather loudly too. There are few books that have had this effect on me. I think this was because I knew the story was based on real events. I knew people in Japan at the time, I've been to Japan. As the author describes everyday life, Japanese peoples habits and mannerisms, I could envisage all these things - making everything so very real.

The second part showed me that dealing with death is a journey that everyone deals with differently. I enjoyed following Yui's journey her relationship with Takashi and the people she meets along the way, at the phone box at the edge of the world. At times I would forget that this was an imagined story, for all I could feel were the lives of the families left behind from the Tsunami. It's showed me the different ways of dealing with grief and lose, something none of us can avoid.

The Phone Box at the Edge of the World is released 25 June 2020.

Thank you to Manilla Press and Bonnier Books for an advance readers copy of this book for review.