July - The Nakano Thrift Shop

The Nakano Thrift Shop is a work by a young Japanese writer Hiromi Kawakami, who has already made her mark on the Japanese literary scene.

At the heart of the action, if it could be so described, are Mr Nakano, proprietor of a shop dealing in modest second-hand goods, and his two employees, Takeo and Hitomi. They have all taken refuge here away from the frenetic pace of life in Tokyo, and over the course of a year find out about each other's interests, desires, and secrets. A host of other characters inhabit the scene, bringing with them their memorabilia and the history they represent.

Above all, this is a quietly joyous novel about second chances, and simple pleasures: Mr Nakano closes one business, but soon opens another; Takeo and Hitomi renew their romance and find new jobs.

​This novel is so very Japanese, beautifully packaged, and a joy to read.

​Helen Scheller 

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