A review by jdscott50
Mina's Matchbox: A Novel by Yōko Ogawa

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A woman reminisces about her childhood and remembers when she stayed with her uncle and his family for two years. Her uncle was a very wealthy executive. Her cousin is sickly and travels to and fro on a hippopotamus. Thus begins this surreal and endearing chapter in her life. Her cousin collects matchboxes, and with each unique book (collected by the driver who delivers soft drinks), she imagines the story behind the pictures on the matchbook. 

Endearing story, but it is interesting that the popular book The Memory Police is unique. However, all her books talk about memory and has this wistful appeal to it.