90th Library Book: 'Three Kilometers to the Moon' by Shin Iyohara, 255 pages
I borrowed this book because I really enjoyed 'The Sea That Inherits Indigo,' which I read as my 88th library book, and wanted to read more by Shin Iyohara.
I am correctly reading his name as 'Shin Iyohara'.
(I had thought it was 'Arata Iyohara'…)
The deciding factor was the blurb on the cover.
'Six stories that nestle close to a heart on the verge of breaking.'
I should read this before I break…
Chapter 1: 'Three Kilometers to the Moon'
Chapter 2: 'Star Six-Flower'
Chapter 3: 'How to Find an Ammonite'
Chapter 4: 'Tennoji Hiatus'
Chapter 5: 'The Alien's Cafeteria'
Chapter 6: 'Carving the Mountain'
The protagonists range from elementary school children to adults in their 40s and 50s. Everyone is harboring some kind of inner turmoil.
About family, their current situation, or what lies ahead…
And everyone, triggered by something, is influenced by people they've started talking to, and they move forward as a slightly new version of themselves.
The characters who happen to become turning points in the protagonists' lives are very charming and interesting.
Those people also have their own burdens and their own life stories.
Is this also considered a healing novel?
What's interesting about this book is that in every story,someone with a scientific background appears. (Was 'The Sea That Inherits Indigo' like that too?)
A former physics teacher, a weather station employee, a fossil hunter, a researcher of seafloor mud layers, a particle physics researcher, and a volcano researcher.
Thisduo of a volcano research professor and his disciple (a lab student) is dazzling.
The volcano professor who appears in Chapter 6, 'Carving the Mountain',reminds me of a volcano researcher I once saw on an NHK program (the one who woreall-red casual clothesthat were reminiscent of magma…), and also reminds me of Mr. Mega from 'Bari Sanko' (by K-Sanzo Matsunaga), but for some reason,I can't help but imagine him looking like Naoto Takenaka, making him a very charming character.
The housewife protagonist, who made a major decision, is told by that professor, whom she met by chance on a mountain,
'That is by far the most enviable story I've heard in the last few years.'
and he envies her.
The student's words to the housewife while explaining how he ended up in the professor's intense lab:
'Working with that guy has the highest probability, you know.'
'Probability? Of what?'
'The probability of thinking in the future that I'm glad I did this and that it was interesting. Because that guy seriously thinks that what he's doing is the most interesting thing in the world.'
'Actually, he's the first adult I've ever seen who lives only doing what he loves. It was quite a shock to realize that such a person actually exists in this world.'
Though the expression is typical of a young person, I feel like I understand what he is feeling. In short, he wants to be infected by the professor's way of life. He wants to breathe the same air by his side. To be thought of that way by a disciple must be the greatest thing for a mentor.
After listening to the student, the housewife sighs,
“Compared to that, I as a parent...”
but after this exchange, she confirms to herself that she has already steeled herself for the major decision mentioned earlier...
I like this sixth story, 'Carving the Mountain,' the best.
(The second best is 'The Alien's Cafeteria')
It actually made me cry a little.
I was worried I would finish it on the train during my commute, so it was the right choice to read the final chapter at home.
(If I finish a book on my commute, I get withdrawal symptoms... )
The other short stories in this book leave you with a good feeling, but they end at a point where you think, “Show me just a little bit more—don't leave it all to my poor imagination!” (Since the good feeling is a good feeling, they all leave a pleasant aftertaste, though.)
“Carving the Mountain” is one where you can finish reading while excitedly imagining what happens just a little bit further past that good feeling, right along with the protagonist: “That sounds absolutely fun! That’s amazing! You really went for it!”
Well, this time, I’m the one thinking,
“Compared to that, I am currently... (Sigh...)” but...
Nothing starts unless you move!!
Move, me!
The short story collection released after this book, ‘The Sea That Inherits Indigo’ takes every story to a point where you can imagine a little bit past the good feeling, so it was great to be able to jump on board with the characters and share in that excitement every time...
After reading these two books,
I’ve started wanting a “rock hammer.”
(...Is that exciting? Or is that a bad omen??)
I want to read more by Shin Iyohara.