'Goodbye Tsugumi' by Banana Yoshimoto is a novel that delves into the complexities of a toxic friendship between two cousins, Marie and Tsugumi, set in a quaint seaside town. The book beautifully captures the feelings of nostalgia, love, and displacement through the eyes of the characters. The writing style is described as calm, simple, and sensitively written, with an emphasis on natural perceptions and the transitory nature of relationships.

Characters:

The characters, particularly the two cousins, exhibit complex and often challenging traits, but many readers find it difficult to connect with them fully.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is poetic and engaging, with rich descriptions that create an evocative atmosphere, though some dialogue suffers from translation issues.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around two cousins, Marie and Tsugumi, as they navigate their complex relationship over a summer filled with personal discoveries.

Setting:

A seaside town in Japan serves as the evocative backdrop, significantly influencing the story's mood and themes.

Pacing:

The pacing is gradual and reflective, enhancing the exploration of emotional themes across the narrative.

Leaving behind the town of my childhood, the quiet cycles of fishery and tourism that keep it running, I came to study at a certain university here in Tokyo. Now I’m having loads of fun, living in the...

Notes:

Goodbye Tsugumi is written by Banana Yoshimoto, a celebrated Japanese author.

The story revolves around two cousins, Marie and Tsugumi, living in a seaside town.

Marie is the illegitimate daughter of her mother's married lover.

Tsugumi is portrayed as a spoiled and charismatic invalid with a cruel edge.

The narrative focuses on themes of love, family, and the significance of home.

The book is described as atmospheric, capturing the beauty of summer nights by the ocean.

Some readers found the translation to use outdated American colloquialisms that felt jarring.

The secondary characters lack depth, making it hard for some readers to connect with them.

Yoshimoto is known for her vivid descriptions and emotional storytelling.

The book explores a complicated female friendship, highlighting both affection and tension.

Several readers suggest starting with Yoshimoto's other works before diving into Goodbye Tsugumi, as some find her earlier books more engaging.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of toxic relationships and emotional distress.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance present in the story, primarily focused on Tsugumi's summer romance.

From The Publisher:

Banana Yoshimoto's novels of young life in Japan have made her an international sensation. Goodbye Tsugumi, called a "witty, perceptive novel" by Elle, is an offbeat story of a deep and complicated friendship between two female cousins that ranks among her best work. Maria is the only daughter of an unmarried woman. She has grown up at the seaside alongside her cousin Tsugumi, a lifelong invalid, charismatic, spoiled, and occasionally cruel. Now Maria's father is finally able to bring Maria and her mother to Tokyo, ushering Maria into a world of university, impending adulthood, and a "normal" family. When Tsugumi invites Maria to spend a last summer by the sea, a restful idyll becomes a time of dramatic growth as Tsugumi finds love and Maria learns the true meaning of home and family. She also has to confront both Tsugumi's inner strength and the real possibility of losing her. Goodbye Tsugumi is a beguiling, resonant novel from one of the world's finest young writers.

Ratings (4)

Liked It (3)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (13):

Read It (5)
Want To Read (8)

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About the Author:

Banana Yoshimoto has won numerous prizes in her native Japan, and her first book, Kitchen, has sold millions of copies worldwide. Her books have been translated and published in more than twenty countries. She lives in Tokyo.

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Goodbye Tsugumi

Banana Yoshimoto