'The Great Passage' by Shion Miura is a charming tale that follows the lives of obsessive lexicographers working on compiling a new Japanese language dictionary over a 12-year period. The story revolves around the protagonist Mitsuya Majime who is recruited to join the dictionary department and embarks on a journey of friendship, romance, and self-discovery. The book beautifully captures the love of words, the art of capturing their essence, and the human connections formed through the shared passion for language. The plot delves into the meticulous process of creating a dictionary, the personal growth of the characters, and the intricate debates over words and their meanings.

The writing style of 'The Great Passage' is described as engaging, light, and enjoyable. The book is praised for its well-translated narrative that conveys the deep love and dedication the characters have for words. Readers appreciate the blend of romance, rivalry, ambition, and mortality woven into the story, making it a compelling and insightful read. The novel offers a glimpse into the world of lexicography, highlighting the care and effort put into compiling a dictionary, which is often taken for granted. Overall, 'The Great Passage' is commended for its heartwarming storytelling, rich character development, and exploration of the profound impact of words on people's lives.

Characters:

The characters exhibit depth and personality, with their development highlighting themes of dedication, love for words, and teamwork.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by its charm and ease, effectively translating Japanese cultural nuances for a broader audience.

Plot/Storyline:

The story intricately weaves the timeline of dictionary creation with the personal growth and interactions of its characters over many years.

Setting:

The story is set in a Japanese publishing context, providing a backdrop of cultural detail relevant to the theme of language.

Pacing:

The pacing reflects the long-term commitment required for dictionary making, allowing for detailed character exploration.

He had learned early on that dog contained other meanings besides the four-legged animal. Once when his father had taken him to the movies, a blood-spattered gangster, betrayed and dying on screen, sp...

Notes:

The Great Passage is about creating a new Japanese dictionary over 15 years.

It highlights the declining emphasis on printed dictionaries as digital formats rise.

The story involves a rich process of lexicography and the people involved in it.

Mitsuya Majime, the main character, is deeply passionate about words.

The novel has romantic subplots that intertwine with the main plot of dictionary creation.

It addresses the need for dictionaries to adapt to changing language and inclusivity concerns.

The translation by Juliet Winters Carpenter captures cultural nuances effectively for non-Japanese readers.

The book combines themes of friendship, love, and personal growth with the intricacies of dictionary work.

Characters face challenges with funding and resource management while working on the dictionary.

A central metaphor is that a dictionary is like a ship navigating the vast sea of words.

Has Romance?

There are medium romantic elements interwoven with the broader themes of friendship and dedication to the work.

From The Publisher:

An award-winning story of love, friendship, and the power of human connection.

Kohei Araki believes that a dictionary is a boat to carry us across the sea of words. But after thirty-seven years of creating dictionaries, it's time for him to retire and find his replacement.

He discovers a kindred spirit in Mitsuya Majime-a young, disheveled square peg with a penchant for collecting antiquarian books and a background in linguistics-whom he swipes from his company's sales department.

Along with an energetic, if reluctant, new recruit and an elder linguistics scholar, Majime is tasked with a career-defining accomplishment: completing The Great Passage, a comprehensive 2,900-page tome of the Japanese language. On his journey, Majime discovers friendship, romance, and an incredible dedication to his work, inspired by the words that connect us all.

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The Great Passage

Shion Miura