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The Art of Vanishing
An intimate, explosive story of creativity and friendship between two young Japanese women in 1970s Tokyo
Akemi’s desire for independence and aversion to marriage are unusual in her small village. A gift for drawing allows her to move to Tokyo to study medical illustration, and although the more privileged girls in her rooming house ignore her, she finds satisfaction in the precision and purpose of her work. Sayako is the first roommate to pay Akemi attention, and they quickly become inseparable—Sayako drawn to Akemi’s humble origins, so distinct from her own insufferable, wealthy family; Akemi attracted to Sayako’s rebelliousness and her aspiration to be a painter.
As Akemi begins to model for Sayako, their connection deepens. Together they attend ‘happenings’, encounters arranged by two enigmatic artists, Nezu and Kaori, in arbitrary locations, intended to free them from their worldly attachments. Following a devastating betrayal, Sayako disappears, and Akemi becomes determined to find her—and in the process, must newly face herself.
Akemi’s desire for independence and aversion to marriage are unusual in her small village. A gift for drawing allows her to move to Tokyo to study medical illustration, and although the more privileged girls in her rooming house ignore her, she finds satisfaction in the precision and purpose of her work. Sayako is the first roommate to pay Akemi attention, and they quickly become inseparable—Sayako drawn to Akemi’s humble origins, so distinct from her own insufferable, wealthy family; Akemi attracted to Sayako’s rebelliousness and her aspiration to be a painter.
As Akemi begins to model for Sayako, their connection deepens. Together they attend ‘happenings’, encounters arranged by two enigmatic artists, Nezu and Kaori, in arbitrary locations, intended to free them from their worldly attachments. Following a devastating betrayal, Sayako disappears, and Akemi becomes determined to find her—and in the process, must newly face herself.
280 pages, Paperback
Published June 11, 2024
13 people are currently reading
840 people want to read
About the author
Lynne Kutsukake
4 books47 followersA third-generation Japanese Canadian, Lynne Kutsukake worked for many years as a librarian at the University of Toronto, specializing in Japanese materials. Her short fiction has appeared in The Dalhousie Review, Ricepaper and Prairie Fire. The Translation of Love is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 18, 2024
This was like nothing I’ve read before and I don’t say this in a good or bad way. It’s just different. I read this over a few weeks.
It was hard to connect to the characters at first but once I did, I flew through it. Think 1970s Japan, cults, friendship, & art.
Set in 1970s Japan, the story follows Akemi, a young woman who has just moved from her small village to Tokyo to learn medical illustration. She meets another woman, Sayako who is from a very wealthy family and they form a friendship of some sort. Although, the author tried to put some heart to the friendship towards the end, I didn’t really understand the friendship.
It was hard to connect to the characters at first but once I did, I flew through it. Think 1970s Japan, cults, friendship, & art.
Set in 1970s Japan, the story follows Akemi, a young woman who has just moved from her small village to Tokyo to learn medical illustration. She meets another woman, Sayako who is from a very wealthy family and they form a friendship of some sort. Although, the author tried to put some heart to the friendship towards the end, I didn’t really understand the friendship.
July 23, 2024
A moving sophomore novel from Canadian writer, Lynne Kutsukake, that follows the friendship between two artist roommates living in 1970s Tokyo. I loved how the two girls were from completely different backgrounds (one from a wealthy family and one from a poor rural family) and the way they bonded over a shared love of art but get caught up in this crazy scheme and have a falling out. Full of heart, this story was transporting and great on audio. I very much enjoyed it!
May 7, 2025
This book peaked my interest as I had a couple of Japanese penpals in high school back in the 70’s. I enjoyed reading letters about their lives and culture though there’s no parallels in their lives to this storyline.
The Art of Vanishing is a haunting story of two “friends” struggling to be seen, fit into society, and who come from very different backgrounds. Sadly, they get involved with two dangerous charismatic artists and their naiveté takes a dark turn.
Enjoyed this author’s literary style of writing and captivating storyline from the beginning. I look forward to reading her other books. A Toronto author with an interesting bio as well.
The Art of Vanishing is a haunting story of two “friends” struggling to be seen, fit into society, and who come from very different backgrounds. Sadly, they get involved with two dangerous charismatic artists and their naiveté takes a dark turn.
Enjoyed this author’s literary style of writing and captivating storyline from the beginning. I look forward to reading her other books. A Toronto author with an interesting bio as well.
August 5, 2025
This is a book I held multiple times at the bookstore on many occasions before I finally bit the bullet and got a copy.
Something about it was intriguing. the cover reads as though it’s a mystery.
What I enjoyed most about this was the writing itself. It was a pleasant, well articulated read. There was only what you needed to make the story work in the authors intended way. Nothing more. Nothing less. In that sense, I read it in two small sittings. I would call this an easy read.
It strikes me as similar in style to Amy Tan, which I suppose here is quite a compliment.
The story itself wasn’t what I expected. The roommate doesn’t go missing in the sense that she is abducted (not necessarily…) but she chooses to leave and not be found. I didn’t really enjoy the roommates character. I found her shallow, annoying and a bit too hyperactive and flighty.
The story follows Akemi as she tries to make her way in the world down a path that isn’t traditional of the Japanese way. She goes to a sort of college to get a formal education so as to not end up like her mother- married and a housewife. She meets a girl who seems to depend on her for basic needs as she is a spoiled rich kid who left home to find herself. Through this adventure she follows Sayako on whatever wild ride she embarks. Which leads her to following her in the beginnings of a cult following.
Sayako eventually becomes a cult member and disappears entirely until a later point where she asks to be found by Akemi in hopes of asking for forgiveness so she may be “rebirthed”. I won’t spoil the ending from here.
It took me 2/3 of the book before getting to the point where Sayako goes missing. Despite this, the author does a good job condensing what is needed so that it doesn’t feel like anything is missing with regards to the storyline.
I only wish she had elaborated on the themes of homosexuality within the novel. It’s clear her and Sayako have more than a friend-like bond and maybe it was the times in which the novel was set that kept it suggestive, but it would’ve been great to explore this a bit more. The story strikes me as a coming of age story.
The end confirms her sexuality but in a more neutral way, and it saddens me she is almost settling in that sense.
I won’t read again, but I’ll share it with friends and I’m glad I finally got around to reading it.
Something about it was intriguing. the cover reads as though it’s a mystery.
What I enjoyed most about this was the writing itself. It was a pleasant, well articulated read. There was only what you needed to make the story work in the authors intended way. Nothing more. Nothing less. In that sense, I read it in two small sittings. I would call this an easy read.
It strikes me as similar in style to Amy Tan, which I suppose here is quite a compliment.
The story itself wasn’t what I expected. The roommate doesn’t go missing in the sense that she is abducted (not necessarily…) but she chooses to leave and not be found. I didn’t really enjoy the roommates character. I found her shallow, annoying and a bit too hyperactive and flighty.
The story follows Akemi as she tries to make her way in the world down a path that isn’t traditional of the Japanese way. She goes to a sort of college to get a formal education so as to not end up like her mother- married and a housewife. She meets a girl who seems to depend on her for basic needs as she is a spoiled rich kid who left home to find herself. Through this adventure she follows Sayako on whatever wild ride she embarks. Which leads her to following her in the beginnings of a cult following.
Sayako eventually becomes a cult member and disappears entirely until a later point where she asks to be found by Akemi in hopes of asking for forgiveness so she may be “rebirthed”. I won’t spoil the ending from here.
It took me 2/3 of the book before getting to the point where Sayako goes missing. Despite this, the author does a good job condensing what is needed so that it doesn’t feel like anything is missing with regards to the storyline.
I only wish she had elaborated on the themes of homosexuality within the novel. It’s clear her and Sayako have more than a friend-like bond and maybe it was the times in which the novel was set that kept it suggestive, but it would’ve been great to explore this a bit more. The story strikes me as a coming of age story.
The end confirms her sexuality but in a more neutral way, and it saddens me she is almost settling in that sense.
I won’t read again, but I’ll share it with friends and I’m glad I finally got around to reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2024
I'm devastated. What a beautiful book. I wasn't sure about it in the beginning but very soon after I was invested. Cults suck.
"Did I ever tell her this? I'm not sure. I thought it so often, surely I must have. I should have"
"Did I ever tell her this? I'm not sure. I thought it so often, surely I must have. I should have"
September 23, 2024
"Look, observe. See. Don't rush."
" I did not tell her the truth. I did not tell her this: As you paint, you look at me. As you look at me, I also look at you. That's my secret to keeping still. That is how I trained myself. As long as I stay still, you will look at me. You will see me.
To be fully seen, isn't that what all of us want?"
Seeing and vanishing are the central themes of this book, which is very aptly named because EVERYONE vanishes in this book!!!!
Akemi, a student studying medical illustration, has strong attention to detail and enjoys realistic drawings but only in specific, nuanced parts: a protruding vein in the arm, a mole on the cheek, the wrinkles on the forehead. Always with her head bowed down, she is only really comfortable looking at things from her field of vision. She has a hard time looking at herself because she only sees the port wine stain on her face, her "deformity", and by the end of the book flat out refuses to look at herself until she gets laser surgery to remove it.
I found her super interesting to read! For the vast majority of the book, she looks at Sayako and only Sayako. What's tragic is that Akemi can only take in small parts of a whole, and Sayako is used to rapidly rushing through things without completion. "See. Don't rush." But Akemi doesn't see, and Sayako rushes. So... I guess we just vanish in plain sight!
The cult thing was a shock, I enjoyed it immensely because I never trusted Nevu and Kaori to begin with (ESPECIALLY Nevu, ugh, disgustangg 🤧🤮). But I really wanted more interaction between Akemi and Sayako!!! It's such a shame what happened, they could have been the greatest lesbians in art school together.
" I did not tell her the truth. I did not tell her this: As you paint, you look at me. As you look at me, I also look at you. That's my secret to keeping still. That is how I trained myself. As long as I stay still, you will look at me. You will see me.
To be fully seen, isn't that what all of us want?"
Seeing and vanishing are the central themes of this book, which is very aptly named because EVERYONE vanishes in this book!!!!
Akemi, a student studying medical illustration, has strong attention to detail and enjoys realistic drawings but only in specific, nuanced parts: a protruding vein in the arm, a mole on the cheek, the wrinkles on the forehead. Always with her head bowed down, she is only really comfortable looking at things from her field of vision. She has a hard time looking at herself because she only sees the port wine stain on her face, her "deformity", and by the end of the book flat out refuses to look at herself until she gets laser surgery to remove it.
I found her super interesting to read! For the vast majority of the book, she looks at Sayako and only Sayako. What's tragic is that Akemi can only take in small parts of a whole, and Sayako is used to rapidly rushing through things without completion. "See. Don't rush." But Akemi doesn't see, and Sayako rushes. So... I guess we just vanish in plain sight!
The cult thing was a shock, I enjoyed it immensely because I never trusted Nevu and Kaori to begin with (ESPECIALLY Nevu, ugh, disgustangg 🤧🤮). But I really wanted more interaction between Akemi and Sayako!!! It's such a shame what happened, they could have been the greatest lesbians in art school together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2025
I was mellow. This book was good, it kept me at an equilibrium and I actually wanted to turn the page, I sought out more information about it.
The main character is an artist, actually she identifies as an illustrator and she is studying at a technical university/training college. This is a big deal for her as a simple country girl and she comes from loving parents in a small town and has the lifeskills to suit. This means she is practical but also so naive. Unfortunately, she was sexually assaulted on a train to Tokoyo- this new life- I remember when I shared this with my Uncle and my Mother, what happened so early up that it felt like in Chapter One, they encouraged me to read a more positive book, but the writing style is so smoothe and continous that I didn't want to put it down...
The main character befriends a rich girl, who is an artist as well, and they have a complicated relationship. The main character is in love with her and visa versa and their friendship is so toxic, but you can't look away. You really can't. They join a cult, well the rich girl does.
They argue. They paint and eventually one of them kills themselves and the story ends with a discussion of a new life in America.
I liked it, it was confusing, I cried as I reflected on my own life and feelings of "stuckness" in my small island and I also longed for different- which is one of the only things I had in common with the main character.
The main character is an artist, actually she identifies as an illustrator and she is studying at a technical university/training college. This is a big deal for her as a simple country girl and she comes from loving parents in a small town and has the lifeskills to suit. This means she is practical but also so naive. Unfortunately, she was sexually assaulted on a train to Tokoyo- this new life- I remember when I shared this with my Uncle and my Mother, what happened so early up that it felt like in Chapter One, they encouraged me to read a more positive book, but the writing style is so smoothe and continous that I didn't want to put it down...
The main character befriends a rich girl, who is an artist as well, and they have a complicated relationship. The main character is in love with her and visa versa and their friendship is so toxic, but you can't look away. You really can't. They join a cult, well the rich girl does.
They argue. They paint and eventually one of them kills themselves and the story ends with a discussion of a new life in America.
I liked it, it was confusing, I cried as I reflected on my own life and feelings of "stuckness" in my small island and I also longed for different- which is one of the only things I had in common with the main character.
August 28, 2024
Akemi, a talented young woman from a struggling, working-class family, gets into art school to study medical illustration, meets spoiled Sayako who's rebelling against her wealthy family, and then gets herself into difficulties she can’t get out of. I’m at a loss to describe how I felt about this book. Other reviewers saw the two girls as both being obsessed with art, but honestly Sayako, who’s old enough to know better, isn’t so interested in creating art as in spending money and angering her family. The mess Akemi gets herself into wasn’t quite believable, and the ending, although I enjoyed it, isn’t much of a surprise once you get to know the two main characters. The writing puzzled me at first - a bit stiff and formal, and tending to odd statements like “we exited the house,” but at some point it started feeling like watching someone paint drab colours over bright, to deflect the eyes away from what we weren’t meant to see; lots of camouflage and erasure as Akemi learns to sketch and perfect what she sees, but alter what she sees in herself. I’m keeping an eye out for other works by this Canadian author.
August 29, 2024
The narrator of this novel has a port wine birthmark on her face and, as such, has learned to keep at an angle to people, literally but also metaphorically. She is sweet, innocent, naive. She has some artistic talent but rather than seek out a career as an artist she opts to become an illustrator, specifically one who specialises in human anatomy. To train she has to leave home for the big city where she runs into a rich girl artist and they form a bond. It's clichéd but it works.
Where the book started to drag for me is when the couple get involved in an aratists' cult. The rich girl, who is perpetually dissatisfied with life, is the driving force and the illustrator tags along. Needless to say it all goes tits up and they end up parting company. The illustrator feels the need to drop off the map and I guess this is where the disappearing comes into play.
On the whole I found this book dragged. It could've been a perfectly decent novella because the story is interesting enough although nothing special.
Where the book started to drag for me is when the couple get involved in an aratists' cult. The rich girl, who is perpetually dissatisfied with life, is the driving force and the illustrator tags along. Needless to say it all goes tits up and they end up parting company. The illustrator feels the need to drop off the map and I guess this is where the disappearing comes into play.
On the whole I found this book dragged. It could've been a perfectly decent novella because the story is interesting enough although nothing special.
June 17, 2024
I gotta be honest; initially, I didn't connect well with the story. While I enjoyed the narrative style, it was difficult for me to get immersed at the beginning of the book. But little by little, this was changing. By the end of it, I was very much invested in this novel about friendship, love, betrayal, and relationships in general.
The setting (Japan during the 1970s) was captivating. I appreciated the cultural insights, as always. The character development, self-reflection, and the mystery surrounding Sayako's disappearance kept me engaged until the end.
The story touches on some heavy topics. The author handles these with compassion and care, but please, be mindful of your mental health and check for trigger warnings.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing access to a digital copy.
The setting (Japan during the 1970s) was captivating. I appreciated the cultural insights, as always. The character development, self-reflection, and the mystery surrounding Sayako's disappearance kept me engaged until the end.
The story touches on some heavy topics. The author handles these with compassion and care, but please, be mindful of your mental health and check for trigger warnings.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing access to a digital copy.
September 27, 2024
Akemi leaves her small Japanese town to study medical illustration in Tokyo. Quiet and shy, in part because of the port wine stain on her face, she is pleased to make friends with one of the girls in her rooming house. Born into a wealthy. privileged family Sayako is disdainful of her family and dreams of being an artist, although she has had little training or talent. the two girls' become inseparable, attracted by their different backgrounds and personalities. But their lives change when they meet two radical artists, Nezu and Kaori, who invite the girls to attend ‘happenings’, intended to release their creativity and free them from their worldly attachments. When Sayako disappears, Akemi sets out to find her.
This is a powerful story of friendship and obsession, given added depth by its setting in Japan.
This is a powerful story of friendship and obsession, given added depth by its setting in Japan.
July 2, 2024
A girl moves from the country to Tokyo to study medical illustration, encounters a girl who treats her like dirt, but strives to be with her all the more. I read to the end, and even though the main character recounts her experience--sometimes as a heroine of sorts--she never develops any sense of agency or engagement with the events around her.
July 17, 2025
Apart from its contents of nihilism, suicidal and atheistic attempts to recreate oneself (which I obviously condemn), Lynne Kutsukake’s Art of Vanishing was a good story of our fundamental human effort as man (male and female) in trying again and again to illustrate or present to the world and to ourselves the story of a better version of ourselves as humans. It was a good and easy reading.
July 17, 2024
"The Art of Vanishing" isn’t just a book—it’s an experience, an escape into a world where reality blurs with illusion in the most delightful ways. Lynne Kutsukake masterfully blends elements of mystery, emotion, and even a touch of whimsy into a story that's impossible to put down.
July 27, 2024
Such an unassuming appearance, this book had no business being this good!!
So many scenes that made me ponder what really happened.
Was full of suspense the entire time, hoping the tension would ease.
Ordinary summaries can have extraordinary stories !!
So many scenes that made me ponder what really happened.
Was full of suspense the entire time, hoping the tension would ease.
Ordinary summaries can have extraordinary stories !!
July 2, 2024
3.5 stars. The dynamic between the two main characters was interesting, and also infuriating. I appreciated the reflections on art, representation, and identity.
August 7, 2024
a little slow at the beginning, but then the characters began to grow on me. an in-depth story about two women from vastly different backgrounds and how their lives interconnect.
September 30, 2024
The last few chapters 💔💔💔💔💔
October 23, 2024
very haunting and reminiscent of being young and lost
November 3, 2024
This book was such a delightful surprise after picking it up blind, having judged it based on its cover in the library. This was the perfect illustration of art, love, friendship and growing up.
December 5, 2024
GOODNESS ME this book is incredible
December 22, 2024
The writing style is very interesting and reads as an autobiography. Captivated the whole time
December 26, 2024
Beautifully written.
February 7, 2025
unsure how to feel after reading this. i did like the prose style, but also found the characters difficult to connect with
April 23, 2025
I devoured this book in only a few days. It was really well written and didn’t go the way I had expected- in a good way! Love the queer representation too ♥️
July 30, 2025
A charming simmer of a story centred around friendship, art and sense of self.
August 2, 2025
Excellent narration. Artististic self-discovery, human desire for connection and validation. Japan simply but so accurately described.
October 9, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
A steady read for me, short chapters and subtle interpretations.
A steady read for me, short chapters and subtle interpretations.
October 24, 2025
I did not expect to get emotional by the end of the novel. The story was moving.
May 6, 2024
Interesting to learn about Japan in the 70s but the book took a dark turn I wasn't expecting. The book's synopsis was a bit misleading (or maybe I just read into it what I was hoping it would be... )
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews