Strange Weather in Tokyo: Book review


Book review


Title: Strange weather in Tokyo
Author: Hiromi Kawakami
Genre: Fiction/Translation (Japanese)

Strange Weather in Tokyo is the story of two lonely people who come together under unexpected circumstances. 

We have our protagonist Tsukiko who is single and spends her time drinking sake at a local bar. By sheer coincidence she bumps into her old high school teacher whom she refers to as Sensei. A chance meeting results in several other meetings and gradually develops into something more. 

The story is written in first person from the point of view of Tsukiko. The plot moves slowly at first and then begins to pick up pace as the relationship between Sensei and Tsukiko strengthens. The characterization and prose are the strongest points in the story. You cannot help but warm up to Seiki and Tsukiko. They have their odd moments and eccentricities. Both share an intimate relationship with loneliness and perhaps that’s what draws you to these characters and their lives. 

Food forms an integral part of the plot. The author’s descriptions of the several kinds of food tends to blend in with the emotions and situations of the characters. The elements of nature are highlighted in a style that is poetic and fluid. We see the changing seasons from cherry blossoms to light rajn. We hear the flow of the gentle streams and the caw of the seagulls. Themes of love, loss and loneliness are touched upon here. 

Strange weather in Tokyo is that kind of a book which slowly grows on you. You learn to appreciate the intimacy coupled with beauty and tenderness of the emotions and surroundings. 

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