Reading Log: 'We Begin at the End'

Reading Log: The Commemorative First Entry
I read this.

I am embarrassed to admit that this is the first time I have picked up a work of foreign literature.
It was recommended as a must-read book on Instagram, which piqued my interest. I went for a stroll through the library for the first time in a while and found the book with the title I had saved in my iPhone notes (which is quite rare), so I pulled it from the shelf without hesitation.

Because of its thickness, I almost put it back on the shelf.
(I'm a paperback person, you see 😅)

But I told myself, 'This is a once-in-a-lifetime encounter!' and steeled myself to borrow it.

To start with the conclusion, it was excellent.

I struggled a bit with the large number of characters, the complex relationships, and the timeline, but all of it served as foreshadowing, leading to a finale that exceeded my expectations.

Also, regarding the elements that had made me avoid foreign literature—such as local culture, religious views, history, and national character—they were woven in abundantly but expressed casually, making them easy to accept. I often found myself smiling at the jokes and comical scenes. (^-^)

Overall, it is a human suspense story.
With the gun culture and violent depictions, people die left and right, and regardless of whether they are adults or children, they punch and hurl abuse at each other as if it were normal, which was, in a strange way, thrilling. 😂
In particular, the way the young female protagonist calls herself an 'outlaw' and lives her life so resiliently (and fiercely) gives me courage.

On the other hand, behind that violent way of life, there is regret for each person, and there are people they want to protect.
Remorse, repentance, reckoning, and love. Seeing them lose self-control because the desire to reclaim what they lost takes precedence, it makes my heart ache, wondering if there wasn't some other way.

Or perhaps, it makes me think about what happiness really is.
People who sacrifice themselves for the happiness of others. People who take from others for immediate gain. People who hurt someone to protect another. People who betray their present selves to protect their future selves.


The 'outlaw' girl moves from one living environment to another and meets many people. However, she pushes away everyone who tries to accept and protect her, choosing to live alone. Where was the place where she could finally find peace of mind, having become so strong that she felt less than human? What kind of world did she want to live in? It was an ending full of lingering emotions that allows for various interpretations.

'We Begin at the End' (2022) by Chris Whitaker, translated by Megumi Suzuki

May your tomorrow be beautifully colored.