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| Hard copy Edition |
I get hold of this book around September 2019 when I scanned through Kinokuniya in downtown Tokyo or Nagoya, I don’t remember exactly, that year's ticket fare between Seoul and Tokyo was amazingly cheap, so I went twice in a month to Japan.
I remember purchasing it together with Before the coffee gets cold, and decided to read the latter first. Maybe, it was because The Miracles of Namiya General Store (TMoNGS) is thicker, so I put a hold on reading this book until this week.
And my first impression after binge-read for 4 hours, is happy. It’s been so long since the last time I closed the last page of a book and feel so happy and content (naturally, because I read too many sad books).
This was my first time reading Keigo Higashino’s book. I know he is a very famous Japanese Author, but the genre is mostly not my cup of tea. TMoNGS gives the same vibes with Before the Coffee Gets Cold, that’s why I decided to give it a go.
Anyway, TMoNGS is a heartwarming story about Mr. Namiya and his old general store. The story opened up by three people on the run after they doing something shady (burglary). They look very amateur and keep arguing on the way to their hideout. When their car broke down, they walked and hide in the Namiya’s General Store, at least until the morning broke out so it won’t raise any suspicious eyes.
The store is old and looks abandoned, though it still stands perfectly. Only specks of dust are collected there.
Discussing their next plan, they heard a strange sound and found an unopened letter in the mailbox. The letter looks new, in contrast with the old unattended mailbox. Suspicious and intrigued, they open the letter and read it. Someone is asking for advice from the Namiya General Store.
Strange it might be, but the amateur three feel obliged to reply to the letter. The sender asked for advice because she has torn apart between pursuing her dream to be an Olympian or staying with her sick boyfriend.
Strangely, after the Amateur Three reply the letter and left it in the mailbox, they got their reply in a matter of minutes. Back and forth, they found it odd seemed like the sender live in a different timeline with them.
Acknowledged the future and equipped by internet, they give out advice based on the history of Olympic. And it went well, even the sender didn’t fully implement the advice. After that, there is another letter from someone else.
Moving on, the author brings us to the ’70s, the origin of Mr. Namiya. How his life, how he finally receives queries and gives out advice to random persons. At first, it was like a prank. The questions are mostly practical jokes to entertain kids in the area, but until someone asks a serious question and Mr. Namiya sets up a box for private queries.
And after that, many serious queries were addressed to Mr. Namiya. He answered every question thoughtfully and feel responsible for every piece of advice. Until one day, he saw the news that bring him sorrow and he lost his hopes and energy.
What amazed me, every sender, Mr. Namiya, and the amateur burglar, no matter what time frame they are, are related like there is an invisible thread bound them in a circle and providing the law of nature. Give and Take.
The brilliant mind of Keigo Higashino, carefully peel one and another story until the last kick, we didn’t realize it is a whole story. It is not like peeling a clove of garlic, but like creating a butterfly effect between one and another.
Each character in the book, also distinguished that gives us the sample of our society. There is old and wise Mr. Namiya, three ‘dumb’ and straightforward burglars but deep down never mean any harm, The strong Olympian, the mellow musician, the glamour teenager, the artistry guy, and many more. They are given a detailed personality that feels so real and not in a rush.
The advice itself, no matter from the delinquent or Mr. Namiya is applicable and makes sense. Yes, that’s what happens with life.
There are a lot of life lessons that remind us of the essence of the human being. How our words may be heard differently, or taken for granted, or maybe become the life guidance. That’s how society. Sometimes, we never know how we affect other people, small or big.
You know, it feels like I have just watched Ghibli Movies (not Grave of Fireflies of course that I love so much but scared me too much), I feel so content and full of love.
There is a quote from the book that I agree with!
“ There's something I've learned from years of reading people's letters. In most cases, they already have an answer to their problem. They're asking for advice because they want to see if other people think they're making the right decision. That's why a lot of people send me a response after reading my advice. Maybe they had a different solution in mind.”
Do I recommend this book? Yes, yes, yes!! You read it and feel lighter after that, I assure you!
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