❄️ [Book Review] Captivated by a Momentary Spark: 'Hoshi Rokka' is a Romance Novel for Adults Where Intellect and Emotion Intersect (Included in 'Three Kilometers to the Moon' by Shin Iyohara)
💖 The Appeal of the Story: A Career Woman, a Weather Geek, and the Unpredictable Path of Love
The protagonist, Tomita, a career woman in her late 30s, lives a rational and steady life as a personnel department supervisor at a stationery company. At a group date, she meets Okudaira, a technical officer at the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Tomita is gradually drawn to Okudaira, a weather geek who speaks intelligently and passionately about snow crystals and how the weather works. His way of speaking is rational, yet somehow emotional, stirring Tomita's heart.
However, their relationship does not progress simply. Okudaira has a secret that makes it so he "cannot be in a relationship" with Tomita.
Why does he harbor this secret?
The nuances of a relationship woven from adult conversation backed by intellect and uncontrollable emotions deeply draw the reader in.
✨ The 'Symbol' That Holds the Key: The Fragility and Beauty of Life
The charm of this work lies in how scientific keywords related to meteorology function deeply as symbols for the characters' emotions and their very lives.
1. The Lesson of 'Hoshi Rokka' (Star Snow Crystals)
Hoshi Rokka refers to a beautiful and precious shape among snow crystals that possesses a particularly perfect hexagon.
* Symmetry and Harmony: The perfect hexagon symbolizes harmonious beauty, but at the same time, it creates a contrast with the imbalance brought about by the 'secret' Okudaira holds.
* Momentary Fragility: No matter how beautiful a snow crystal is, it melts and disappears when the temperature rises. This suggests the momentary spark of life and the fragility of a love one has just begun to grasp. It confronts us with the poignant truth that 'beautiful and valuable things are often short-lived.'
2. The Truth of Life Told by 'Snow Crystals' and 'Weather Forecasts'
* The 'Individuality' of Snow Crystals: It is said that there are countless snow crystals, but no two are alike. Our lives are the same. Even if they look similar from a macro perspective, each person's life is unique and follows an unpredictable path.
* The 'Uncertainty' of Weather Forecasts: No matter how accurate the science used, there are limits to weather prediction. This is a symbol of the uncertainty in life. Things do not go according to plan. Who you are attracted to and what will happen in the future cannot be predicted.
📚 Why Are We Captivated by This Story?
The theme of this story can be summarized as: 'Life is full of unpredictable brilliance.'
We may all be living lives that, from the perspective of others, are 'mostly within the range of expectation.' However, each person's life is as unique as a snow crystal and unfolds as uncertainly as a weather forecast.
The way Tomita is drawn to Okudaira and lives while being hurt is the very embodiment of how we are captivated by unexpected encounters and live while cherishing that 'momentary beautiful spark' (Hoshi Rokka).
It is rare to find a novel where the reason of science and the emotion of love intersect so beautifully and intelligently.
I wholeheartedly recommend this to readers who want to enjoy intellectual conversation while having their emotions stirred by the path of a poignant love.
* For those who like this novel: People who enjoy scientific motifs, people who want to read a quiet adult romance novel, and people who want to touch upon the nuances of life and philosophical contemplation.
What is your 'momentary spark'? Please read this story and think about it.
Thank you for reading.
After reading this review, is there anyone who would like to delve a little deeper into the impression you get from the title 'Hoshi Rokka'?