Leaning into the world of books... looking up at the sky.

Released from my morning work

The moment my lunch break begins

I hurry over to the library right across the street.

The moment the automatic doors at the library entrance open

I find myself feeling a sense of relief.

I walk lightly toward the shelf containing the book I intended to read.

My body felt so heavy at work, yet here... it's a mystery.

After clutching the book to my chest and finishing the checkout process

I head to the library balcony...

I sit in a chair and look up at the sky.

A clear blue sky and cotton candy clouds spread out before me.

The world of books and the blue sky are like a guide to a story; I want to always hold onto that moment... that's what I thought.

"Goodbye Jabberwock" by Kotaro Isaka

(2026 Japan Booksellers' Award Nominee)

☘️Synopsis

The story is set in a world that is continuous with reality, yet slightly distorted.

An entity known as the "Jabberwock."

Is it a monster, a symbol, or perhaps "something" lurking within the human heart?

The story progresses by shifting between the perspectives of people who seem unrelated at first glance.

The sense of unease that is an extension of daily life, the accumulation of small choices, and the past and present of someone else quietly intertwine.

What eventually emerges is a confrontation with the "Jabberwock."

It is depicted not merely as an enemy, but as something inescapable, something one must face.

Filled with the lighthearted dialogue and foreshadowing typical of Kotaro Isaka, this is a work where the sensation of dots connecting into lines as you read is truly satisfying.

☘️Replacing a formal review with my thoughts on this book

After finishing this story

What remained quietly in my heart was the word "goodbye."

But it felt less like a farewell to someone, and more like something deeper inside...

For example, a past you want to forget but can't, or the anxiety and hesitation that appear in fleeting moments.

It felt like words directed at "something" within myself.

Don't you have days when you feel a little down, even if you can't quite pinpoint the reason?

Or perhaps things you thought you were over, but suddenly remember at the most unexpected moment.

The "Jabberwock" that appears in this work felt like a symbol of those things that are invisible but definitely exist.

And what's impressive is that this isn't a story about "completely erasing" them.

You don't have to force yourself to overcome them.

It gently taught me that just keeping a little distance or saying "goodbye" to let go is also a valid choice.

Such quiet themes are blended into the lighthearted dialogue and structure typical of Kotaro Isaka, making it comfortable to read while leaving a lingering resonance after you finish.

Perhaps this story is like a mirror that gently reflects the "Jabberwock" for each reader.


I feel like this book doesn't force an answer on you, but simply stays by your side.