Elle

This is my second Natsuko Imamura book (the first was Woman in the Purple Skirt) and I love her writing. Amiko is severely misunderstood by everyone around her, and as a result, she spends a lot of time isolated and confused about the world works. She tries harder to grasp what's going on around her than anyone tries to understand her, which is really depressing.

Alongside Amiko's story is that of her family and how they cope with a loss that devastates them. The descriptions I read say this book is heartwarming and I didn't quite feel that myself. It's more like heart-rending to read on as her father, mother, and brother devolve into shadows of their former selves. As Amiko silently struggles without even realizing she's doing so. It was a good read though and Amiko was an endearing character that I won't soon forget