I enjoyed the style of this book a lot! Biographical, in a way - one man's entire life is told from the point of view of other people he meets. We never really hear his perspective, his point of view, but we do come to understand his motives, family and story through the words of others. We learn about his childhood, his teenage and adolescent years, his work, his family, his friends, the places he lives and even his death and what comes after. Its a great idea.

Whilst I enjoyed this read, I have to say I'd put it on par with [b:Record of a Night Too Brief|32931335|Record of a Night Too Brief|Hiromi Kawakami|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1478688189i/32931335._SY75_.jpg|71036407] In short... Not as good as [b:The Nakano Thrift Shop|32919876|The Nakano Thrift Shop|Hiromi Kawakami|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488395848i/32919876._SY75_.jpg|6686283] and [b:Strange Weather in Tokyo|18283207|Strange Weather in Tokyo|Hiromi Kawakami|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1375634096i/18283207._SY75_.jpg|2974590].

If I had to draw attention to just one, little thing that lost it the final star off this rating, it would be our hero Mr. Nishino himself. I, like a few of his ten 'loves', found Mr. Nishino unlovable. But then, maybe that is the point? If you only hear of a person through the eyes of others, its hard to come to your own conclusion. I can't help but wonder if Kawakami wrote Mr. Nishino in this way on purpose.

I would give this 3.5 if i could. This reads like a collection of short stories. Some I really enjoyed, some not as much.

maybe a 2.5 - I have historically loved Hiromi Kawakami, but this is a miss for me