The Lantern of Lost Memories is a Japanese fiction book written by Sanaka Hiiragi and translated to English by Jesse Kirkwood. It is the story of a magical photo studio owned by Mr. Hirasaki. The studio is a door to the afterlife where people stop before moving on.

At the time of death of a person, Mr Hirasaki receives a box full of photographs and the person has to select the memories they want to see in the spinning lantern before moving on. If a photo is faded, they have the chance to go and revisit that particular day as an invisible person and take a snapshot of the same.

In the book, Mr Hirasaki is visited by Hatsue, a ninety-two year old woman who worked as a nursery teacher, the rowdy Waniguchi, a yakuza overseer in his life, and finally Mitsuru, a young girl who has died at the hands of abusive parents. Mr. Hirasaki himself has no memories of his previous life and all he remembers is the people who visit the studio before moving on and the photograph delivery man.

“But if you destroy something that means the world to them, there’s no healing that wound.”

The book is crisp, light and very heartwarming. The stories are all woven beautifully and though talking or writing about death can be heavy, the treatment given by the writer makes it peaceful, even hopeful.

As we see each character come to terms with their death and select the memories they want to revisit one last time, we as readers are filled with a warm glow inside. Each story is poignant and reflects upon the choices a person makes and their effect.

“You know how the photos you treasure the most are the ones you always get out to look at, so they end up all faded and torn? Well, it’s the same with memories.”

I found the simplicity of the stories very calming and it was a good book to read during a very busy week. I specially liked the ending and felt sad for Mr. Hirasaki when it was revealed how he had lost his memories. But the book is also about hope and kindness. I highly recommend this book.

My rating: 5/5

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.