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alex_morrison 's review for:
When Haru Was Here
by Dustin Thao
How much longer do I have to wait for you?
4.5*
This book left me confused, shocked, emotionally torn, all over the place really. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Before I write the remainder of the review, I want to thank my best friend Alice for showing me this book. She knew it would be my type of book.
When Haru Was Here handles the topics of grief, self-discovery, and moving forward in such a way that it made the book unputdownable. Eric has dealt with so much loss in such a short period of time, and even with the major sources of support he has throughout the story, they were eithernot realor no longer present. Seeing someone process grief through imagination that felt so real on paper drove the plot. I was fairly convinced myself that Haru was in Chicago too. Although, that would just be my wishful thinking. The main character took a memorable person from one night in Tokyo, and transformed him into a constant in his life.
Why does Haru disappearing like this?
Although he became a constant in Eric's life, Haru remained a scattered presence. There is something so troubling and depressing about someone being with you one moment, and then you turn around and they've disappeared. I could find songs from my Liked Songs playlist on Spotify that could describe that well. But anyway, the back and forth scenes with Haru touring Chicago with Eric or them going on dates together, only for Eric to wake up alone was so sad. I understand it was meant to push the narrative that this version of Haru wasn't real, but it still was so sad...you really have to feel for the main character at that point.
The plot twist of discovering that Jasmine was gone and that she too was a figment of Eric's imagination was something else to process...but at the same time, it was a necessary revelation to show that Eric had the chance to finally face his reality. No longer rely on imaginary scenarios to get by. It inspired him and drove him to push forward in the pursuit of his dreams. Or at the very least, his film-making dreams.
Although a majority of Haru and Eric's story is not real...it did feel real. To me, at least as the reader. Although the real Haru and Eric's meeting was cut short, the Epiologue left me so satisfied. I hope that they have their NYC love story somehow.
It is easy to find comfort in one's own imagination. You can create a reality that is better than what is right in front of you.
Yet there are still so many adventures left to explore and endeavors to persevere. There is always an opportunity to come to terms with the pain while accepting what is waiting for you in person.
4.5*
This book left me confused, shocked, emotionally torn, all over the place really. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Before I write the remainder of the review, I want to thank my best friend Alice for showing me this book. She knew it would be my type of book.
When Haru Was Here handles the topics of grief, self-discovery, and moving forward in such a way that it made the book unputdownable. Eric has dealt with so much loss in such a short period of time, and even with the major sources of support he has throughout the story, they were either
Why does Haru disappearing like this?
Although he became a constant in Eric's life, Haru remained a scattered presence. There is something so troubling and depressing about someone being with you one moment, and then you turn around and they've disappeared. I could find songs from my Liked Songs playlist on Spotify that could describe that well. But anyway, the back and forth scenes with Haru touring Chicago with Eric or them going on dates together, only for Eric to wake up alone was so sad. I understand it was meant to push the narrative that this version of Haru wasn't real, but it still was so sad...you really have to feel for the main character at that point.
The plot twist of discovering that Jasmine was gone and that she too was a figment of Eric's imagination was something else to process...but at the same time, it was a necessary revelation to show that Eric had the chance to finally face his reality. No longer rely on imaginary scenarios to get by. It inspired him and drove him to push forward in the pursuit of his dreams. Or at the very least, his film-making dreams.
Although a majority of Haru and Eric's story is not real...it did feel real. To me, at least as the reader. Although the real Haru and Eric's meeting was cut short, the Epiologue left me so satisfied. I hope that they have their NYC love story somehow.
It is easy to find comfort in one's own imagination. You can create a reality that is better than what is right in front of you.
Yet there are still so many adventures left to explore and endeavors to persevere. There is always an opportunity to come to terms with the pain while accepting what is waiting for you in person.