A review by blessing_aj
Tokyo Ueno Station by Yu Miri

challenging dark informative mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

This book is really short but it packs a punch, some of which I am sure was beyond my comprehension given that I lack the knowledge of Japanese culture and history to provide context, but I believe I got the gist. 

The writing style is not conventional, but it makes sense given that the story is being narrated by a ghost. Conversations will filter into his stream of thoughts that make no sense to him or the reader because he is simply an observer. He will notice things about the atmosphere that he wouldn’t have had the luxury to observe as a living being. In addition to these, the constant references to historical events also served like some sort of palette cleanser in between the real story which is about an unlucky protagonist who worked as hard as he deemed it appropriate to do, but ended up living out his days with little or nothing to show for it and homeless in a public park.

I honestly can’t say I had a great reading experience with the narrative style, but I appreciate the book for what it is.