The Perfect World of Miwako Sumida ~ Clarissa Goenawan . sc NEW in MELB

Description: From the critically acclaimed author of Rainbirds comes a novel of tragedy and dark histories set in Japan. University sophomore Miwako Sumida has hanged herself, leaving those closest to her reeling. In the months before her suicide, she was hiding away in a remote mountainside village, but what, or whom, was she running from? Ryusei, a fellow student at Waseda who harbored unrequited feelings for Miwako, begs her best friend Chie to bring him to the remote village where she spent her final days. While they are away, his older sister, Fumi, who took Miwako on as an apprentice in her art studio, receives an unexpected guest at her apartment in Tokyo, distracting her from her fear that Miwako’s death may ruin what is left of her brother’s life. Expanding on the beautifully crafted world of Rainbirds, Clarissa Goenawan gradually pierces through a young woman’s careful façade, unmasking her most painful secrets. A bewitching novel set in contemporary Japan about the mysterious suicide of a young woman. Miwako Sumida is dead.Now those closest to her try to piece together the fragments of her life. Ryusei, who has always loved her, follows Miwako's trail to a remote Japanese village. Chie, Miwako's best friend, was the only person to know her true identity - but is now the time to reveal it? Meanwhile, Fumi, Ryusei's sister, is harbouring her own haunting secret.Together, they realise that the young woman they thought they knew had more going on behind her seemingly perfect facade than they could ever have dreamed.About the AuthorClarissa Goenawan is an Indonesian-born Singaporean writer. Her award-winning short fiction has appeared in literary magazines and anthologies in Singapore, Australia, the UK, and the US. Rainbirds is her first novel.Very Interesting read!Reviews'Vivid and intriguing - an elegantly cryptic, poetically plotted Murakami-esque whydunit.' - Sharlene Teo, award-winning author of Ponti ' A complex, interpersonal mystery ... A tremendous examination of sadness ... A book with heart about the mysteries of the heart.' - Benjamin Welton, New York Journal of Books 'If her debut novel brings Murakami to mind, her second, with its winsome tone, harkens to early Banana Yoshimoto. However, with her blend of mystery, magic and social issues - in this case, sexual abuse, transgender awareness and suicide - Goenawan is developing her own distinct brand.' - Suzanne Kamata, The Japan Times. Engaging read …. Miwako Sumida is a sophomore in college when she commits suicide. Months before that she is in hiding in a remote village. Why was she in hiding? Her friends are left behind to put together the pieces, and they travel to village where she hid. Goenawan has penned a beautifully intricate character study. Miwako’s life is laid bare: her innermost secrets and her most relatable thoughts and feelings. The Tokyo setting was so much fun for me because I’m not sure I’ve read a book set there in modern times. There was a deeply psychological mystery here that had me on the edge of my seat analysing. This book is uniquely its own, and it made me feel deeply. That’s what I look for most in a book, and I’m so grateful I was enveloped in the smooth and clever storytelling of Goenawan. Wow. Where do I even begin?! …. I read Clarissa's prior book, Rainbirds, two years ago and knew she was a talented writer then, but this book... THIS BOOK. I just finished it and I'm floored. What a truly beautiful, if sombre, story. I had literal chills at one part towards the end. ALL THE FEELS. This book centres around Miwako Sumida, who we learn from the prologue, has hanged herself. What comes are three parts, through the eyes of those who knew her best as we reflect to their experiences with her and how they deal with the aftermath of her passing. Part I is Ryusei Yanagi, the young man who fell in love with her despite and because of her blunt manner and her uniqueness amongst the frilly girls of her peers. Here we delve into how he develops his feelings, why he couldn't stop pursuing her and how he decides to cope with this loss and major emptiness in his life. Part II is Chie Ohno, her best friend and keeper of her darkest secret. The girl who while popular, considered herself an outsider and was tired of all the fake. And with Miwako, you never got fake. Her view is peppered with her wondering if she should still hold on to these secrets while those around her continue to wonder about certain affairs. Part III we get Fumi Yanagi's view - Ryu's sister who has a story of her own. How Miwako affected her while alive and then in her death is beyond anything you think you'd feel. Everyone - please do yourself a favour and pick up this book. I would read the entire journal entries in that magazine we learn about in Chie Ohno's part. I would travel with Ryu in his part and would learn to paint from Fumi while supporting all that she is. There are so many lessons to be learned from this read. So many intricacies between these characters. What we learn most is how differently each person feels and sees in one. No one sees one person exactly the same and all of these relationships are cherished and loved. Love. Just LOVE. This was absolutely wonderful …. and everything I expected from Clarissa’s second book. “Rainbirds” made my favourite books of the year it was released, and Miwako Sumida will probably make this year’s! Goenawan is basically Murakami if Murakami knew how to write women and lgbt characters. Her books really are like getting a new Murakami book - if “Rainbirds” was her WUBC, this book is her Norwegian Wood. FIVE STARS!! …. Clarissa Goenawan deserves to have a much bigger following than she currently has. In both her first novel, Rainbirds, and her second, The Perfect World of Miwako Sumida, she shows a talent for painting complex portraits of characters who carry a burden of uncertainty—about identity, about their own life stories, about the stories of those they love. This results in a sort of tentativeness in her writing, but it's a tentativeness that engages and opens possibilities, not one that creates distance or disengagement.The Perfect World of Miwako Sumida follows three different characters trying to understand the suicide of the Miwako of the title. Each of them has parts of the picture, but none of them has the whole. By telling their stories, Goenawan lets readers assemble a portrait of Miwako that's beyond the reach of the book's main characters.I strongly recommend this book for all readers who enjoy cosmopolitan novels (this one is set mainly in Tokyo), mysteries, and/or psychological portraits. The rewards it offers are immense.Marvellous Reading! WHY do ebayers buy from US?Because you KNOW what you're getting. My close up photos are of the actual item & form part of my description!!POSTAGE IS $9.90 WITHIN AUSTRALIAWe pack your books with care - using secure, lightweight, waterproof packaging to ensure that they are well protected in transit.*All items will be shipped within 3 business days of receipt of payment. Payment can be made by Direct Deposit Bank Transfer or Paypal. Check out my other items- * Buyer to make contact within 3 days of auction end and payment within 5 days. * Cash on pick up is fine. * PAYPAL available for your convenience. * Any questions? Just ask! Please look for my other items in our new Ebay Store 'Jingle Bells Books' ~ as there are lots & lots of old, RARE and COLLECTABLE BOOKS to be cleared from our bookshelves. We're new retirees downsizing from 30+ years teaching & clearing an 80 year, 3 generation private family collection of often valuable books ! *HAPPY TO COMBINE POSTAGE up to 3kilos of BOOKS can post WITHIN Australia for $16.90! THANKS FOR DROPPING BY

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End Time: 2025-01-21T23:19:09.000Z

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