Sumire is an aspiring novelist. She has a close friend K, who is an elementary school teacher. They talk about anything, and everything. And Sumire always needs validation from K about almost everything. Their friendship is so strong that Sumire can even call him at 3 in the morning, and K would listen to her. Let me tell you, K loves her. But keep it a secret.
Sumire meets Miu, a Korean woman who is 17 years senior to her at a wedding. They talk for some time, and Sumire feels sexually attracted to her. For the first time in her life, Sumire experiences something like this. She doesn’t want to let it go. Everything is so sudden for her. While talking about many things under the sun, Miu offers Sumire a job. How would Sumire say no? She takes it up. Now, this changes everything in Sumire’s life. An unorganised, confused Sumire starts wearing nice clothes, quits smoking, gets herself a new house, but she ends up in a writer’s block. She cannot write like before.
After a few days, Sumire and Miu go to Europe on a business trip, and at the end of it, they spend some time on a Greek Island. K knows this because he gets long letters from Sumire telling him about all of this. But one day, Miu calls K and asks him to come to an Island. He goes there only to find out Sumire has disappeared. Like smoke. Where has Sumire gone? What secrets does that island hold? What Miu has to do with this?
Readers, this book was magical. I loved everything about it.
Characters: What detailed growth!
Sumire is super aware of herself but also not. K is a sweetheart in a very unusual way. And Miu, oh she is this mysterious figure even if we get to know the darkest secret of her life. And the story revolves around these. But if you ask me, the author has used these three people to convey one message per reader. What you read will be different from what others have read.
Plot: Well, it is much more than the early paragraphs.
Writing: I am not qualified to comment on this. Simply beyond all the measures. If for nothing, read this book for the writing. OMG, so gorgeous. How can someone write like this? THIS? Some of the sentences sent chills down my spine. I heaved literally, and I had to reach out to my highlighters and sticky notes a million times.
The last part of this book was for us readers to go with the numerous directions there. There is a point in this book where you have so many possibilities to choose from, and the best part is the central theme remains intact.
If you look at this book morally, I am not sure how right you will feel about it. But, I guess that is one of the motives of this book. I am cent per cent sure every reader will associate this book to a different philosophy. I don't know why, but I feel that his book has the power to heal you the way you want.