■ Synopsis
The protagonist is 32-year-old Miyako. She worked as an apparel salesperson in Tokyo, but returned to her hometown of Ibaraki to care for her mother and begin working as a contract employee at an apparel store in an outlet mall.
- At home, she lives with her ailing mother and a sarcastic father.
- At work, she is plagued by an unreliable manager and a sexually harassing boss.
- She is uncertain about her relationship with her boyfriend, sushi chef Kan’ichi, and is worried about the future.
- Furthermore, a wealthy young Vietnamese man expresses his affection, forcing her to make a life-changing decision.
While Miyako wonders whether she should continue on this path, she reexamines her life and tries to move forward little by little. Her actions symbolize the process of “rotating and revolving”—moving around the same place while gradually changing course.
■ Review
“Rotating and Revolving” is a moving novel depicting the struggles and rebirth of a woman in her 30s. This is a story that finds a ray of hope while empathizing with the loneliness and anxiety of modern people.
Especially for women in their 30s, the realistic portrayal of work, romance, and family issues will likely resonate with them.
The protagonist, Miyako, is filled with anxiety about the future and seeks to resolve those anxieties by marrying a reliable man.
Because Kan’ichi is not a man she can rely on, some readers may find Miyako’s uncertainty and conflict frustrating, but understandable.
However, as Miyako, who is constantly thinking about relying on such people, comes into contact with unexpected sides of her friends and others, her values gradually change and she gains strength.
This book teaches the importance of courage in facing life’s choices, and its striking portrayal of a woman’s search for happiness without striving for perfection and while coming to terms with reality is striking.
This work is also Yamamoto Fumio’s final work. It is a book that will gently support all those who are trying to move forward despite their own doubts in life.
