I really enjoyed this book- thank you to tandem collective UK and Granta books for my gifted copy.
Reading this book felt familiar somehow, perhaps just in that there are people you come across in life that you never really get to know but that stay with you somehow. Mr Nishino passed through these ten women’s lives without lasting connection, though it seemed that he yearned for that. A sad and reflective tale of his life at times, but at others a fast-paced and exciting one!
This book touched on issues of power, attraction and identity and highlighted the enormity of how early experiences shape us in our development. In Mr Nishino’s life, experiences with his sister as a young boy left him longing for connection, though also left him unable to truly understand what would make him content in a relationship. He seemed lost in his own world, seeking women, seemingly unconsciously to help him untangle the confusing experiences from his past. I would have loved to hear from a male character what his experience of Mr Nishino was...it appeared from how the story was told to me as a reader that his life was based around these encounters with women and I wonder how he would have come across to others out with these select people.
As with the women in this book, I know Mr Nishino’s character will stay with me. Overall it was a touching and thought-provoking read and, I think, a great one to discuss with other people so perfect for a book group!