This is the well-known winner of the 2024 Bookstore Award.
I was drawn in by the impactful cover and title, and I read it.
Synopsis
Set in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, this novel follows the unconventional protagonist, Akari Naruse, as she pursues the path she believes in, drawing those around her into her journey. Her goal is to live to 200 years old, and she surprises those around her with her unconventional actions, such as visiting the Seibu Otsu store every day and even competing in the M-1 Grand Prix. The story also depicts how her interactions with the people around her change as a result of her words and actions.
Review
I admire the protagonist’s strong core and coolness.
There’s much to learn from her determination.
And even though Naruse seems flawless, when she looks lonely when her best friend leaves her hometown, it really shows that she’s still a normal person.
I think I was much more concerned about what others thought of me when I was in middle school and high school than I am now, in my 40s.
Lately, I’ve become less sensitive to what others think of me.
When I think back to my middle school days, I remember walking alone to the science lab and thinking, “Ah, I’m all alone now.”
I don’t think I particularly liked being in groups, but I think I did have a fear of being alone.
Even now, there are times when I see groups of middle school students walking on narrow sidewalks who won’t move out of the way…and I can’t help but feel that they might be afraid of being left out of their friends in an instant.
In that respect, I feel that Naruse has the strength to always move forward alone in silence.
She does have friends, but I think she teaches us the coolness of being alone, and of sticking to our own beliefs.
That said, given Naruse’s actions, such as appearing on local TV shows every day, competing in the M-1 Grand Prix, and shaving her head, I wonder if she’s actually quite the attention-seeker. I can’t help but think that she’s the type who is actually quite concerned about what others think of her.
In any case, I would like to emulate her strength to forge ahead as her curiosity.
Even though I sometimes wonder if there are other ways of life, I just can’t muster the power to make change, so I end up living by finding a good compromise.
I would love to meet someone like Naruse.
And now that I’ve read this book, I’d like to take some action, even if it’s small.
And so, I’ve started exercising again after a long time.
