The Lantern of Lost Memories

The Lantern Of Lost Memories

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Sanaka Hiiragi

22.08.2024

Picador

A Japanese Translated Fiction

Fantasy, Magical Realism, Multiple Main Characters

Content Warning: Death, Mentions Of Abuse, Non-Graphic Animal (deceased) Alterations

Disclaimer: these thoughts are entirely my own, based on my reading experience, and is no reflection of whether or not this title should be read. Thus, I try to keep my writing fair and constructive, and reveal my personal rating at the end. I always enjoy reading the varying thoughts of other readers because we all experience books differently - which is just so wonderful! So please feel free to leave a comment at the end.

✨ BOOK SYNOPSIS 📖

One photograph, one treasured memory, one chance to go back.

In a cosy photography studio in the mountains between this world and the next, someone is waking up as if from a dream. A kind man will hand them a hot cup of tea and gently explain that, having reached the end of their life, they have one final task. There is a stack of photos, one for every day of their life, and now they must choose the pictures that capture their most treasured memories. Combined they will assemble a beautiful lantern, that once spinning has ceased will guide them on to the next world. But before the magic can commence, their most cherished memory will need to be restored by revisiting that glimpse of the past.

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✨ MY REVIEW 🤔

This book is a Japanese translated fiction, following three individuals with a treasured story to tell whilst reflecting on life in their final moments.

We are introduced to this concept of what awaits us after life with a woman in her 90’s, who overcame adversity and aided in rebuilding a community in Tokyo after disaster struck.

Followed by a flawed 46-year-old Yakuza who was kind despite his dangerous profession, and met an unfortunate ending. 

Closing with the young-man who acts as their guide to the next world beyond the spinning lantern. Who has no memory of his life prior to his arrival to the world beyond the living, beside a single photo he appeared there with.

Reading The Lantern of Lost Memories was a beautiful, compelling, emotional, and moving journey that will surely stay with me. I simply did not want to put it down, and did so begrudgingly whenever I had to. 

It was a smooth and easy experience that I enjoyed immensely, not because it was an ‘easy’ nor low quality book, but because it was woven with great thought and without the weight of unnecessary details that wouldn’t have aided the overarching story.

Which brings me to the element I loved about this book the most, besides the cast of characters that were an absolute pleasure to follow and the rich world-building, which is: the concept of what happens after life. In The Lantern Of Lost Memories things aren’t as simple as a good place or a bad place, for immediately following death there is a middle place. Nestled in a small pocket of time between the living and what inevitably comes after. A place in which each individual gets to reflect on their life and select a photo for each year they lived, with the purpose of creating a lantern that will see them off to their next destination. 

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I’d like to wrap up this entry by thanking you for taking the time to read my review of The Lantern Of Lost Memories. If you have read this title I would love to share in your own experience in the comments below.

I definitely do not recommend missing out on this title, for it is truly an impactful experience that won’t be forgotten. Albeit an emotional one.

✨ RATING 📣

5/5

✨ COMPLETION DATE 🗓️

     20.07.2024