51 pages • 1 hour read
Tokyo Ueno Station
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Book Brief
197
Novel • Fiction
Tokyo, Japan • 2010s
2014
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Tokyo Ueno Station by Yu Miri and translated by Morgan Giles follows Kazu, a recently deceased man who haunts Ueno Station and its neighboring park. As a member of the unhoused population, Kazu recounts his life of poverty, missed opportunities, and familial losses, juxtaposed with Japan's post-war modernity. His spirit observes both the past and present, lamenting pervasive societal inequities. Commission of death by suicide appears in this book.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Mysterious
Nostalgic
Dark
Reviews & Readership
26,127 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Tokyo Ueno Station by Yu Miri, translated by Morgan Giles, evokes a poignant tale of marginalization through the spectral journey of Kazu. Critics praise its haunting prose and evocative sense of place, highlighting the translator's skillful rendering of the narrative. However, some find its fragmented structure challenging. Overall, it offers a moving exploration of identity and loss.
Who Should Read Tokyo Ueno Station?
Fans of poignant, introspective narratives like The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro and Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami will find Tokyo Ueno Station by Yu Miri, translated by Morgan Giles, compelling. This novel, rich in themes of loss, poverty, and the transient nature of life, appeals to readers interested in deeply emotional and socially conscious stories.
26,127 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
197
Novel • Fiction
Tokyo, Japan • 2010s
2014
Adult
18+ years
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