Synopsis
The protagonist, Ryota Uchida, is a fourth-year university student. He has begun his job hunt, but he is unsure of what he wants to do, and he feels anxious and frustrated.
A flier he comes across at the coffee shop “Shoraku” on his birthday leads him to begin corresponding with a mysterious figure known as the “Letter Man.”
The “Letter Man” teaches him about the true essence of life and the meaning of work through ten letters. However, they are not allowed to meet in person; they can only meet once the last letter has been written.
Through the letters, Ryota learns about the meaning of work, how to achieve his dreams, and how to choose his life, and grows as he confronts his own values.
Review
- Sympathizing with the Anxieties of Job Hunting
This work gently answers the question everyone has at some point: “What kind of job is right for me?” I felt that it was important to consider what you want to do with your life rather than choosing a future employer based solely on company size, industry, or job type. - The Power of Words
Through the letter format, I felt as if I was receiving a “personal message.” I also felt that the message was conveyed even more powerfully because it was written in a letter.
Gives me courage to make life choices.
This book redefined the meaning of work and how to achieve my dreams. No matter what situation I find myself in, I feel that knowing I have choices in life is a powerful motivation for taking action.
