Book clubs in North Yorkshire

One online review stated, “it’s the distinctive Japanese sensibilities, in slow-paced almost no-sight-to-end kind of storytelling that’s worked its magic on me. The simplicity in the language, interspersed with musical poetry… makes falling in love with the generously beautiful and uncomplicated so easy. Why do some relationships have to be troublesome? And why are the best so hard to have?” I’ve read it twice and each time it reminded me of Howards End and that crucial human need for deep connections to colour life’s daily grey. It’s a tender story of love that defied differences, the typical and social norms — but without much drama, frills or pretentiousness. Simple, beautiful, poetic, poignant, but with so much hope.

It's a crime story as well as a high school story - it's funny but it's also a challenging read that has things to say about gender and #metoo. I was really gripped by it. It's long but I liked that about it!

Beautifully written and a great mystery.