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The Miracles of the Namiya General Store

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'The Miracles of the Namiya General Store' by Keigo Higashino is a collection of interconnected stories that revolve around people facing everyday and extraordinary challenges. The stories are woven together by a mysterious little shop, creating a novel that is both mysterious and dreamy. The book is a masterwork of twists and turns, with a bittersweet and unfinished ending that is described as perfect by readers. The writing style is praised for being clever, with the stories gradually revealing connections that initially seem random.

Characters:

Characters portray relatable and humane qualities, enriching the story with their diverse experiences.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by its tight and clever prose, effectively weaving together various stories and themes.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around a general store featuring a letter box where individuals seek advice, illustrating the connections formed through their stories.

Setting:

The setting combines contemporary Japan with magical realism, centered around a general store that connects different time periods.

Pacing:

The pacing engages readers but may have slower moments; however, overall, it is concise and designed for a holistic understanding.
“Sorry, guys.” Kohei shrank back, hunching his large body, and cast a longing look at the worn-out Toyota Crown parked beside them. “I didn’t think the battery would die on us here, of all places. Not...

Notes:

The book is a departure from Higashino's usual crime novels.
It features a magical realism theme centered around a general store.
The store contains a mysterious letter box for people seeking advice.
Three young men discover the abandoned store and learn its secrets.
The narrative explores deep themes of human interaction and connection.
Readers find the story heartwarming and filled with moral lessons.
The ending ties together various plot threads that may initially seem unrelated.
The book touches on the idea that answers to our problems often lie within us.
It has a surreal and fantasy-like quality while portraying real-life situations.
A movie adaptation exists, but it's advised to read the book first to preserve the experience.
The translation was generally well-received, with a few minor typos noted.
The story is noted for its emotional depth, inspiring tears of joy rather than sadness.

From The Publisher:

When three delinquents hole up in an abandoned general store after their most recent robbery, to their great surprise, a letter drops through the mail slot in the store's shutter. This seemingly simple request for advice sets the trio on a journey of discovery as, over the course of a single night, they step into the role of the kindhearted former shopkeeper who devoted his waning years to offering thoughtful counsel to his correspondents. Through the lens of time, they share insight with those seeking guidance, and by morning, none of their lives will ever be the same.

By acclaimed author Keigo Higashino, The Miracles of the Namiya General Store is a work that has touched the hearts of readers around the world.

Ratings (15)

Incredible (6)
Loved It (6)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (43):

Read It (15)
Want To Read (21)
Not Interested (7)

3 comment(s)

Incredible
5 months

I made a spontaneous online purchase of this book after reading the synopsis and read it in a couple of hours after it arrived this afternoon. What a special combination of letters and words. I’m going to be thinking about this story, these intertwining characters for days, weeks to come. It’s so devastatingly beautiful and intricately Japanese. This book had me in tears multiple times throughout. The greatest sadness I feel is due to the fact that it ends.

 
It Was OK
6 months

3.5 stars

"The Miracles of the Namiya General Store" is a set of interconnected stories focusing on individuals whose life was changed by the store and are connected to a nearby orphanage "Marumitsuen".

We follow the lives of several people who approach the store to find answers for their life problems. The book comes to a full circle when these people come back after 33 years and let the store know how their life turned out because of store's help through letters.

An optimistic , cozy book with an element of magical realism. Overall a good read, but seriously think that much of the magic was lost in the translation.

Happy Reading!!

 
Loved It
9 months

“The Miracles of the Namiya General Store” is a novel by Keigo Higashino, one of the most popular and best-selling fiction authors in Japan. The novel was first published in 2012 and has won the 7th Chūōkōron Prize. It has also been adapted into a stage play, a movie, and a TV series in different countries. The audiobook version, released in 2022, is narrated by Brian Nishii, a bilingual voice actor who has performed in various anime, video games, and audiobooks.

The novel tells the story of three delinquents who take shelter in an abandoned general store after committing some petty crimes. They discover that the store has a magical connection to the past, as they receive letters from people seeking advice from the former owner, Yūji Namiya, who was known for his kind and thoughtful responses. The delinquents decide to reply to the letters, and in doing so, they learn about the lives and stories of the people who wrote them, as well as Namiya's own secrets and regrets. The novel explores the themes of fate, redemption, and the power of words to change someone's life.

The audiobook is a faithful adaptation of the novel, with Nishii's narration bringing the characters and the story to life. Nishii has a clear and expressive voice, and he switches between different accents and tones to portray the diverse cast of characters, from the rebellious Atsuya, to the gentle Namiya, to the various letter writers who come from different backgrounds and eras. Nishii also conveys the emotions and moods of the scenes, from the suspense and mystery of the letters, to the humor and warmth of the interactions, to the sadness and hope of the revelations. The audiobook also features some sound effects and music that enhance the atmosphere and the mood of the story.

“The Miracles of the Namiya General Store” is a novel that will touch your heart and make you think about the choices you make and the impact you have on others. The audiobook is a wonderful way to experience this novel, as Nishii's narration will immerse you in the magical world of the general store and the people who visit it. Whether you are a fan of Higashino's works or a newcomer to his stories, you will enjoy this audiobook and the miracles it offers.

 
 
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