I really enjoyed this book and I don't have any major criticisms--what kept this from not being a five star read for me is that I am unsure how lasting this book will be in my memory. Overall, a creative way to explore, discuss, and navigate grief and the characters felt likeable and real.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World</i> in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<h4 style="margin-top: 84px;">The Gist</h4>

<i>The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World</i> is a moving and contemplative exploration of grief, loss, and the unexpected ways in which connections can mend fractured hearts. Set against the backdrop of Japan's beautiful coastline, the novel unfolds with a delicate yet profound touch.

<h4>The Details</h4>

At the center of the narrative is Yui, a woman grappling with the devastating loss of her mother and daughter in the 2011 tsunami. The discovery of an old phone booth, where people can communicate with their departed loved ones, becomes a focal point for Yui and others in the community seeking solace and connection.

Imai Messina's writing is evocative, capturing the emotional nuances of grief with sensitivity. The novel seamlessly weaves together the present-day experiences of Yui and the historical context of the 2011 tsunami, creating a tapestry that explores the resilience of the human spirit.

The exploration of the phone booth as a symbol of hope and healing adds a unique and thought-provoking element to the story. The author skillfully navigates between multiple perspectives, allowing readers to witness the impact of loss on various characters and the different ways they find solace.

The pacing can be a bit slower than anticipated, as the narrative leans heavily into introspection and reflection. The novel's strength lies in its emotional depth, but those seeking a more plot-driven story might find the introspective nature a bit overwhelming.

<h4>The Verdict</h4>

Overall, <i>The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World</i> is a beautifully crafted novel that resonates with its exploration of grief, love, and the enduring power of human connections. Laura Imai Messina's storytelling is a testament to the healing potential found in unexpected places, offering readers a contemplative and emotionally charged reading experience.

It seems odd to say that a novel is a beautiful story of coping with grief but that's what this is. The idea of being able to speak at a telephone booth (are there any booths these days?) as a way of resolving things is intriguing. This went on a bit longer than it needed to be but I'm sure there will be others who want it not to end.

Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book, I was super interested in this book based off the description and the cover. Unfortunately this book was not for me.

The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World by Laura Imani Messina is a book I could not finish. I was grabbed by the concept and the beginning struggles, but as I read more, it felt as if the story could not move beyond grief.. Sorry.

"The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World" by Laura Imai Messina is a beautifully poignant novel that explores themes of loss, grief, and healing. Messina's evocative prose and rich storytelling transport readers to the scenic backdrop of Japan, where a phone booth becomes a symbol of hope and connection for those seeking solace. The book's positive aspect lies in its ability to capture the resilience of the human spirit and the power of empathy and compassion in times of tragedy. However, some readers may find the pacing slow at times, as the narrative delves deeply into the emotional landscapes of the characters. Nevertheless, "The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World" is a touching and thought-provoking novel that reminds us of the importance of finding solace and human connection amidst life's most challenging moments.

A book that is so much more beautiful than its simply elegantly beautiful cover! This is yet another book from my anticipated reads list at the start of the year, and at the time I wrote the following:

I knew I had to read this book the moment I saw what it was about — inspired by a real phone booth in Japan with its disconnected “wind” phone, a place of pilgrimage and solace since the 2011 tsunami

In lieu of a review for this book, I will simply say, I am so very glad I read this book, and I know you will be too.

Thank you to Netgalley for the digital rc of this book. All thoughts are my own..

Touching story, The idea of a disconnected phone in a phone booth that peoplecan call their deceased love ones from is intriguing. The story of how different characters use the booth and express their grief was intense. It just drew me into the book. The author drew the characters together so naturally. I enjoyed getting to know them all. Everyone experiances grief of losing loved ones at various points in their their lives. This book will a wide appeal, I am sure. End of the book explains the phone.
Kudos, Laura Imai Messina; the booth is now on my bucket list.

A very touching story of a woman who has lost her mother and young daughter in a tsunami and how she connects with a man whose daughter has stopped speaking after the loss of their wife and mother. Interspersed with little “lists” between each chapter, this was a really touching, emotional story with humorous touches.

It will be a long time before I forget this book. If, I ever do. Such an exquisite book on grief. It made me cry in sadness and in happiness.

Such a beautiful story about grief and the different ways be deal with it. It is never easy but this story was beautiful. thank you netgalley for the eARC.

I used to live in Tokyo. I had friends in the areas hit by the tsunami. This book is both haunting and beautiful at the same time. The sheer amount of grief following the earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011, is overwhelming. An abandoned telephone booth in someone's garden becomes a conduit for people to speak of their grief and begin to heal. One woman makes regular treks to the phone booth and along the way meets a man on a similar mission. A friendship of understanding and healing develops between the two as they gradually overcome their grief.

It's a difficult book to read, given the magnitude of death and grief surrounding the 3-11-11 event. I had to put it down a few times to regain composure. But I always picked it back up again because I desperately wanted to know how these two individuals would find closure and healing. Along the way, I found some healing of my own.

I gratefully received this free ARC ebook from NetGalley and the author in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

A beautiful story about grief, and the different ways be deal with it.

The prose in this was gorgeous.

A truly delightful book that deals with grief and overcoming it without being super dark. It's equal parts deep and light hearted.

A beautiful book on grief and well written. This book made me feel the persons grief. Just beautifully written and very poetic.

I requested this book, but was unable to download it prior to the archive date and therefore cannot leave my own review. However, from all the reviews I have read, it looks like a great book I would recommend to others and will be buying a copy for myself.

A beautifully written book about love, loss, and connection. A story that will stay with me for a very long time. Messina deftly explores grief through a very hopeful lens. Through the phone booth, the living stay connected to the loved ones they have tragically lost, allowing them to grieve in their own way and find a way to continue on.

A beautiful story of Grief, Love, and Motherhood.

This was gorgeous from beginning to end, and brought me so much joy, as well as almost to tears at the end.

I had heard about This Phone Booth before in passing. But it is in reality what this booth encapsulates is much more important.then the actual place.

I think there is an amazing message about how grief is universal, even if how we deal with it is different.

The two MCs in this book, Yui and Takeshi, are lovely. Both are dealing with loss of a loved one. They meet at a telephone booth in the middle of a garden. Here, you are said to be able to pick up the receiver and speak with the departed.

I really enjoyed Yui and Takeshi's relationship and how it developed and evolved. I liked that we got glimpses of other characters lives throughout the book, and their own experience with the phone booth.

The story got a little slow for me at parts. Sometimes it felt like a scene should have been in a different spot, which threw off the flow of the story for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Laura Imai Messina, and The Overlook Press for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It follows Yui who travels to the phone booth in an old man's garden that does not work anymore but people use to talk to loved ones they have lost. There she finds Takeshi who has experienced a loss of his own. Both are looking for closure but find so much more when they meet unexpectedly. A beautiful story of finding oneself again after experiencing great tragedy.