A review by sebby_reads
The Garden of Words by Makoto Shinkai

emotional lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

The Garden of Words is a novelisation of a 2013 animated film of the same name written and directed by Makoto Shinkai. Translated to English by Taylor Engel, it is a story of two lonely souls finding comfort in the company of one another after running into in a garden on a rainy day.

Takao is a 15-year old student with steadfast ambition to become a shoemaker. His parents divorced a few years ago and he has lived with his mother and elder brother since. Now his mother is going to live with her boyfriend and his brother is also moving out to live with her girlfriend. He is quiet and conscientious boy who fills his solitude with part-time job and passion for shoemaking.

Yukari is a 27-year old woman who has been avoiding to go to work after a gossip about her was started. She had been bullied and got depressed since. Every morning she gets out of bed and leaves for work but she ends up going into the park instead as she is unable to overcome her fear. She has lost her appetite and mainly consuming chocolate and beer.

One rainy day on his way to school, Takao decides to skip his morning class and go to a park instead. He meets Yukari who has been skipping her work. Before she leaves, Yukari cited a piece of tanka (Japanese poem) that makes Takao puzzle. He determines to skip his morning class when it rains. During that monsoon season, they continue to encounter in the park on rainy mornings and converse but never formally introduce themselves. When the rainy season ends, Takao stops visiting the park. One day he meets Yukari again at the most unexpected place and discovers about her.

This novelisation has back stories of the two protagonists and some narrators adding more depth to the characters as well as to the story. The epilogue, a slight extension of the original story, gives a satisfying warm hug for someone who has been drenched in the rain after watching the film. The proses are beautiful and enticing. Correspondingly, the translation is eloquent and fluid.

Makoto Shinkai's narrative is very meticulous. I think because of him being an animator, he tries to bring as much visual as he usually does in his anime to his storytelling. It is quite exhaustive so sometimes it leaves me with nothing to imagine but to follow his detailed portrayal of sceneries and emotions.

Along with Man'yōshū poetry, the metaphorical representation of rain and shoes are well befitting to the story. An abundant use of simile might bore some readers as it can attenuate the essence of the story. Me being a total sucker for similes and metaphors, it is a visit to the candy store. Such a joy to read where multiple sentiments are represented with nature and its charm. It is an exquisite book with a bunch of (vague) reminiscences.

I watched the Garden of Words (Kotonoha no Niwa) back in 2017 and has been obsessively in love with it. Its visual are enchanting and the tenderhearted story is deeply affecting. The story of a relationship between a minor and an adult can be cringeworthy but how the story was handled was impressive. I discovered other anime by Makoto Shinkai and his famous works are 5 Centimeters per Second, Children who Chase Lost Voices, Your Name, and Weathering with You. Many people love Your Name and it is quite a global phenomenon but the Garden of Words remains as my absolute favourite.