This novel by Masago Sato was also adapted into a film starring Yo Oizumi and Kasumi Arimura.
The film was also very well done.
I felt it was a very challenging role, but it was delivered very naturally, and the film itself is fascinating to watch.
However, I still prefer the novel to the film.
Due to time constraints, it is difficult to depict every detail of each episode and event in a film.
Even if you’re interested in the film, I recommend you also read the novel.
■Synopsis
The protagonist, Osanai, lives a peaceful life with his wife Kozue and their daughter Ruri. However, one day, Ruri develops a high fever for unknown reasons, and her behavior subsequently changes. At the age of 7, Ruri begins to behave in ways inappropriate for her age, such as riding the train alone to Takadanobaba. At the age of 18, Ruri dies in a traffic accident along with her mother Kozue.
While Osanai is in deep grief, a man named Misumi visits his home. He tells Osanai that her daughter, Ruri, is the reincarnation of Masaki Ruri, a woman he once loved. Masaki Ruri fell in love with Misumi, but suffered domestic violence from her husband, Masaki Ryunosuke, and died in an accident just as she tried to escape.
At first, Osanai doesn’t believe Misumi’s story, but when he meets Midorizaka Yui, Ruri’s best friend, and her daughter, Ruri, he discovers that Ruri’s memories reside within her. He also begins to see traces of his late wife, Kozue, in Kiyomi’s daughter, Mizuki, who cares for Tsuyoshi’s mother.
■Review
- Realistic yet unrealistic fact
The depiction of when Osanai’s wife discovers Masaki Ruri’s personality after Ruri develops a fever is deeply captivating.
When Ruri suddenly starts calling the stuffed animal “Akira-kun,” and when Kozue discovers that Ruri is humming old songs and talking about DuPont lighters, she realizes that her daughter is “becoming more mature.” It’s so realistically written that it gives me chills.
In the real world, reincarnation is considered impossible and unscientific, but this novel makes it seem like it could actually happen.
It’s a little scary to read.
Even the president’s wife’s reaction to Masaki after losing Ruri, even without using direct words, conveys to the reader what she is trying to say and what she is feeling.
This is amazing.
From beginning to end, these human emotions are portrayed with such careful and sensitive word choice, making for a captivating read.
- Lost Personality
Perhaps the theme of this novel is deep love, Ruri’s desire to find her lover even if it means being reborn.
I think love is a major theme. However, I’m curious as to where the girl’s personality went when she was about 7 years old, before Ruri’s personality emerged.
At 7, a girl’s personality is already formed, so where did the Ruri she was before the fever go?
This is somehow saddening, and as a parent of a daughter, it frightens me.
I wonder if Osanai’s difficulty accepting that his daughter Ruri has been reincarnated is due to his feelings toward her pre-reincarnation.
On the other hand, Ryunosuke Masaki’s persistence of obsession and anger toward Ruri, even after accepting her reincarnation, is impressive.
While the story doesn’t go into detail about Ruri’s life after her reincarnation with Misumi, I’m curious to know what her future holds.
- Are there past lives?
After reading this, I searched for videos about reincarnation on YouTube.
I found a video about the reincarnation of an American soldier who died at Pearl Harbor.
I don’t know if it’s true, but perhaps mysterious things do exist.
Scientifically speaking, it’s absolutely impossible.
But I think it would be nice if something like that happened.
