Cozy death stories? I mean, I wasn't expecting it but was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable of a read this was. Soft and warm and I loved how each persons story felt like a novella inside a larger novel.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. It is a very unique take on what happens after you die; your "life flashing before your eyes" is actually a collection of photographs from every year of your life being played on a magical turning lantern. This lantern is in Mr. Hirasaka's photo studio, a pit stop between life and the afterlife.
This was a quiet, quick read that really packed a punch. I was immediately enraptured by the first person to pass through the photo studio, a woman who was a nursery school teacher during the post-WWII reconstruction period in Tokyo. We then meet a member of the yakuza, and finally, a young girl who suffers from repeated parental abuse. All three of these stories add something unique to the narrative and build upon each other, meeting in a satisfying conclusion. I really enjoyed this!

The Lantern of Lost Memories is a beautifully crafted short story that touches upon the cyclical nature of life, one's purpose in life, and how humans of all shapes and souls can find kindness within them. I'm a big fan of episodic narratives, which are somewhat of a trend amongst contemporary Japanese stories, and this one is perfectly executed. The core element of this story is a magic photo studio that people visit before they die, which is a cute and cozy fantastical take on death, which is another weird niche that I now love. It is a slow book, meandering at times, but manages to deliver a punch by the end, which makes it an extremely satisfying read.

This is for Studio Ghibli, Makoto Shinkai, and Before the Coffee Gets Cold fans, and is the perfect complement to a rainy day. Thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review! The Lantern of Lost Memories will be published in the US on Sep 17, 2024.

The Lantern of Lost Memories has all the emotions. It will make you laugh and cry and will fill you with wonder. A short book, it immerses you quickly, and leads you through the magical journey.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read this engaging ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the eARC copy of this book.

If you like "Before the coffee gets cold", especially the heartfelt and warm feeling it gives, you're probably going to like this book.

The Lantern of Lost Memories is a story that talks about death in a way that I have never read before. It is respectful and wholesome, but it still makes sure to mention how difficult it can be to deal with death in general.

The three stories told in this book might have the same theme in common but are completely different from each other. My favorite one out of the three is chapter two "The Hero and the Mouse."

This book made me laugh, cry (a lot), and helped me think about living my life to the fullest so that at the end of it my memories are only great ones.

It might be a short book but conveys it's message perfectly. Definitely one of my favorite books so far.

I love slice-of-life/magical realism books like these, and I find that translated literature (specifically Japanese) usually does it best! This was a great collection of stories and a solid translation, filled with wonder and meaning as it explores how we view death and the afterlife in a creative, bittersweet sort of way. I'd definitely recommend this out to others!

The Lantern of Lost Memories by Sanaka Hiiragi is a novel about a magical photo studio where people go after they die to view key moments from their lives—and relive one precious memory before they pass into the afterlife.

The book had interesting stories about the transition from life to death that these characters find themselves in.

The Lantern of Lost Memories is a quick read and is enjoyable, touching, intriguing, and engaging.

#TheLanternofLostMemories #NetGalley @GrandCentralpub

The Lantern of Lost Memories is a well-written novella, translated from Japanese, that leaves you pondering long after you finish reading. The book, told from the perspective of three very different people, tells the story of Mr. Hirasaka who ostensibly runs a photo studio, which is in fact the door to the afterlife. Everyone who enters the studio gets to pick out a photo for each year of his or her life, which is then assembled into a lantern, giving the person a chance to see their life flash before their eyes as Mr. Hirasaka spins the lantern as they move into the afterlife. They also get to relive one special memory and retake the photograph as Mr. Hirasaka takes them back in time. He can not interfere or change the outcome. Mr. Hirasaka’s life itself is part of the mystery. He can’t remember his own past and there is only one single photograph of him to provide any clues as to his background.

I had trouble getting into the book in the beginning. It felt like three very distinct stories with little connection until the very end. The first story, which details someone’s goodness, was the longest and could have been shorter. The last story was certainly the heaviest, touching on child abuse and neglect, but it showed that it is possible to return from a horrible situation and rebuild your life. What happened in Mr. Hirasaka’s life? He could never form a lantern of his life since he only has the one photo. So who is he really? Does that affect his identity and purpose? Or is he satisfied helping others serving as a guide to their journey to the afterworld?

The book clearly touches on how memory and identity are intertwined and can provide meaning to a life. What photos would you choose to represent each year of your life? Which are the most important or representative of your identity?

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read an e-arc. I would recommend this novella to anyone. All of us should give consideration to our lives and reflect on what would be in our photos that provide memories for us and others.

Thank you Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for giving me this advance review copy in exchange for a honest review!

The Lantern of Lost Memories is a charming tale that touches on how life is as sacred as it is and why memories are so special, whether they are of a big moment like reaching a long awaited goal or simply showing kindness to a stranger.

Hirasaka works at a special photo studio that is in between life and death. He helps the deceased choose a photo from each year of their life to look back on before departing to wherever it is they seem to go. The book tells the story of three characters and their most beloved memory.

This was such a quick and bittersweet read! I completely devoured it in a day. The themes of the book are very important and with Hiiragi’s simplistic and endearing writing style, you can actually enjoy the story without getting a headache thinking about the heavy topics in the book.

Hiiragi really made me stop and just appreciate life and how amazing it is to be able to do the things we can, mundane or extraordinary. I highly recommend reading this!

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Lantern of Lost Memories by Hiiragi Sanaka is a third person multi-POV Japanese speculative contemporary. Mr. Hirasaki helps the dead choose the last moments they see before they die, helping smooth their path into the afterlife. If a photo isn’t clear, he takes them back in time to retake the photo and let them relive that moment. But he’s not allowed to interfere and change the course of their fate.

The concept of the story is essentially a thought experiment for ‘what if you could choose the moments you saw when your life flashes before your eyes’ and it’s fascinating. You have seemingly unlimited time to choose one photo from every year that you’ve been alive and someone is there to help you relieve an important one before passing, but you’re also doing so with the knowledge that your time is pretty much up. How compassionate is that, to be given the time to grieve your life and come to terms with death?

The small wrenches thrown in the plot are that Mr. Hirasaki can’t remember his own past, with only a single photograph that provides him with any clue of who he used to be and that, every once in a while, sometimes someone comes who will escape death but will come back later. I liked that the story recognized that possibility and worked with it to create something both heart wrenching and beautiful.

What stops me from calling this book a cozy fantasy is that the last of the three stories features some uncomfortable themes in enough detail that moves it away from cozy for me, personally. It is a hopeful book, it is a beautiful, human concept, it has fairly small stakes, and I really enjoyed it.

Content warning for depictions of child abuse

I would recommend this to fans of novels that are thought experiments, readers looking for a Japanese speculative contemporary novel that is lighter on the fantastical elements, and those who really love books featuring cameras and photographs

I enjoyed this heartwarming story. I would recommend it to lovers of sentimental fiction. Thank you for letting me read it!

This was an absolutely incredible read. I don't think I can even articulate how important this felt to me.

For such a short book, I felt such a deep connection to the characters and their stories. Finding out the reason for Hirasaka only having one remaining photo? Devastating. I love this with my whole heart.

"These, Hatsue, are the photos of your life. One for every day, three hundred and sixty-five for every year."

⁕⁎⁕⁎⁕⁎ 3,5 stars rounded up ⭐ ⁎⁕⁎⁕⁎⁕

What happens after you have died? "The Lantern of Lost Memories" discusses the concept of a stop in a photo studio to choose and sometimes retake a favorite single photo for every year of your life to see before you go into the afterlife.
"You see, once you get here, it doesn't matter how wealthy or important you were in life. All you're left with are your memories."

In three completely different stories we get to know four different main characters, and, at least for me, a little bit more about Japan.
""You were broken." said the Mouse, looking right at him. "And I couldn't fix you. [...] I conducted as much research as possible. But I couldn't fix you. [...] I wanted to fix you."💔

And how can I not round up my rating to four stars, when a book with not even 200 pages, and especially the last two short stories with less than 40 pages each, made me drop a few tears?
"I find myself wondering what it even means for me to die if I don't remember anything and nobody knows who I was. A boring life, a boring death, and no one to ever remember me. Is there any meaning or purpose to my existence that way? Why was I even alive in the first place?"

I read "Before the Coffee gets Cold" earlier this year, and yes, my mind started to compare the two stories. But in the end, besides a small place for a short amount of time, they don't actually share that much in common (in case you were wondering).
I read the majority of the book in one sitting, and loved to get to know the people, especially their stories. This book is for everyone, that enjoyed the vibes of "Before the Coffee gets Cold" and wants to experience something short but meaningful. 🫰🏻

Thank you NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Sanaka Hiiragi for the advanced copy! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. "The Lantern of Lost Memories" in the English translation will be out on September, 17.

Rated 3.5 stars on Storygraph.

This book was an easy yet hard-hitting read, and emphasized that our lives intertwine with others, and that our memories are powerful.

The Plot:
The book follows Mr. Hirasaka, who is given the task to meet people at their deaths, and help them as they make peace with their lives. Each person who enters the photo studio must select one photo from each year of their life in order to make their "Lantern of Lost Memories" before they can move on to whatever comes next. And each person realizes they have a cherished memory from their lives that they have revisited so often in their head, the picture in Mr. Hirasaka's studio is faded and almost unrecognizable. But each gets a chance to go and relive that day, and retake a picture of their most cherished memory.

As Mr. Hirasaka follows along, he learns more about the person's life, the memory they are capturing, and how people's lives are intertwined with others.

What I Liked:
The description of this book promised charm, whimsy, and nostalgia. And I feel like it did a fantastic job at just that. This was an easier read, as there was no high stakes, no stress; it was simply a book about the best moments of a persons' life. I enjoyed the simplicity and the nostalgic vibes from the book, as we got to see three people reflect on their lives, the people in them, and the moment they held most dear.

The ending of the book was also quite darling, and it ended up weaving all three storylines together in a very precious way.

What I didn't Like:
While the book follows three separate visitors of Mr. Hirasaka's studio, it did not feel as if there was much purpose behind following these three specific characters until the end of the book. And don't get me wrong- I really enjoyed how the ending wove the storylines together, but it wasn't until the end that I understood. I would have preferred having a bit more semblance of an overarching storyline throughout to keep me more engaged.

Going in, I knew that existentialism and feelings of disassociation can become a problem for me as a reader and human. While this book stayed on the cozy and positive sides of themes of dying and existentialism, there were moments I found myself drifting towards unsavory feelings and had to pause for a moment, pulling me out of the story. But if you are someone who likes these themes, or specifically someone who enjoyed these themes in Becky Chamber's Psalm for a Wild Built, you will like this aspect of the story. And to be fair, the theme of dying and existentialism was not heavy throughout, the stories of the person's life and their memory were the main focus.

Overall, this was a very nice read, and I will be recommending it to people.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of The Lantern of Lost Memories in exchange for my honest review.

The Lantern of Lost Memories is a beautifully translated fiction about the afterlife's waiting area where individuals review the years of their lives through photos. It is touching in a way that every human can relate to. It shows the struggles, triumphs, dreams, and perseverance of three incredibly different individuals.

Hiiragi's writing truly takes you into the lives of the subjects. From a post-war Japan, to a small repair shop, and a small balcony you truly feel like you get glimpses into each character's life.

The only critique I had is that I felt like there was no closure with the film keeper's story. I still have questions swirling in my head about if he will ever figure out answers to his own questions. I do believe that it was purposeful on Hiiragi's part, but as a reader it did leave me wanting more.

One of the particularly enjoyable elements in The Lantern of Lost Memories are descriptive. There is a lyrical undergirding to the novella in the way that the Hiiragi builds an analogy between memory and photos, and in how that analogy is connected to preservation of identity, purpose, and meaning. Some transitional scenery at the end of the stories serve a similar function. The highlighting of different themes in reflecting on main characters’ lives per story, and the tangential connections between some of the characters in all three gave a circular but refreshing flow; while the narratives swayed from serious and hopeful to levity and humor.

Yet there is an oddity in the choice of slang colloquialism for translation. While I am appreciative of the interest in balancing the concerns of fostering relatability to readers with accurately capturing a connotation or meaning in text translation, occasionally such usage made the characters seem foreign to their settings. It thus occasionally seems to be a wonky rendering.. Other translations didn’t quite fit in their contexts despite the understandable intent. Yet, the translation diction becomes only a minor detraction.

I also would have welcomed an elaboration on the Japanese spiritual mythology relayed at the beginning of the novel, and on how it tied in with plot lines of its stories. It is implied that these beliefs are somehow central to a successful transition to the afterlife, without much explanation on how they fit into the transition..

Finally we don’t get a full appreciation of what may well be the ultimate dilemma in the novella: Hirasaka’s mysterious history and identity prior to his involvement in the photo studio. We come to know only that his life has been consequential since working there. Ironically for a guide to the afterworld, his lantern of lost memories remains eternally empty and/or malfunctioning . And so it seems, he will be eternally lost. This slightly parallels treatment of Shohei Waniguchi in the “The Hero and the Mouse”. Some details of a past life for him prior setting up the workshop are hastily thrown in without acknowledging how they could have fit into the theme of his redemption from crime and alienation.

I may post a slightly longer review essay on my (main) Goodreads profile shortly.

This was a delightful read. A sincere gratitude to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for furnishing the advanced readers’ copy.

A heart-warming story about a photo studio people go to after they die, where they select one photo from every year of their life to complete a photo lantern, with the chance to revisit one day of their life to retake a photo of their favorite memory. The recurring character is a man named Hirasaka, who runs the photo studio and guides the guests through the process. Unlike the guests, Hirasaka has only one photo from his whole life, and has no memories of anything else.

This story takes the concept of a sōmatō, which is basically like your life flashing before your eyes in a life-and-death situation, and turns it into something literal, where you can choose the images that show up when you’re dead/close to it. It initially felt like three separate short stories taking place in the same world, but by the end you realize how it’s all connected and that made it a five-star read for me.

It started a bit slow, and honestly I wasn’t the most interested in the first story out of the three, as it seemed a bit forced in showing people’s goodness (or maybe I’m too cynical, idk). But the second one caught my attention, and by the end of it I almost got teary-eyed at seeing this unlikely friendship form even after death. The third story also started confusing, and it’s on the heavy side with child abuse and neglect, but when it all came together, and we got to understand Hirasaka’s situation, it was bittersweet but also oddly ended on a bright note by the end. I was really impressed by how these seemingly unrelated stories tied together eventually.

I wonder if the writing could be better. I was more moved by the plot than the words, as the writing style felt dry and mechanical. This is the second book I’ve read by this translator, and the writing style is very similar to the other one I read, so I wonder if maybe it’s more something with the translator than the writer, but without the original version I can’t say for sure.

Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC!

The Lantern of Lost Memories was a really good boook. I love the idea of creating a lantern from one moment a day, one day a year of your life. It’s such a unique idea and Sanaka Hiiragi does a great job describing it.

Heartwarming, bittersweet, moving, and life affirming, this pulled me in immediately, kept my attention, and made me really reflect on my own life and memories.

I love a novel that makes me think as much as this did, and I adored The Lantern of Lost Memories.

An absolute gem of a story, and a definite recommendation from me.



Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC

Dear Author,

When we die, does our whole life flash before our eyes? Your book’s answers is a resounding Yes! and I loved every minute it took reading!
 
Entranced by each detail of these special moments between here and the next, I couldn’t put your book down. In this endearing novel, you show us what happens in the between; a simple yet magical photoshop awaits, with a pleasant and mysterious guide, and a spinning lantern holding photographs depicting our lives.
 
Your story has us follow the lives of three starkly different individuals, their sorrows, their joys, and how tragedies shaped and triumphs molded each. What you gorgeously depict is a glimpse, a photograph, a memory of their lives that was so important to them that it will be the last thing they see.

Smiling, turning the last page, I asked myself, “What’s important to me, what would my last photograph be?” Memories whiz by…


Yours truly,
J. D. McCoughtry

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the chance to read this e-arc.