Secondhand Memories

by Takatsu, Derek Vasconi (Editor), Rania Meng (Illustrator)

Originally serialized online in 2008 with a readership of over 200,000, Secondhand Memories pioneered the Japanese cell phone novel phenomenon in the English-speaking world, marking a moment in history and re-envisioning technology, youth culture, community and literature. The unique fusion of simple haiku-like poetic technique and prose narrative together forms a coming-of-age journey about Seiji and Aoi: high school sweethearts, who are separated by a tragic chasm of frozen time. As the rest of the world moves on, Seiji discovers that life is more complicated than he thought - and that the heart and mind is quite vulnerable to change. The novel contemplates the meaning of growing up, love, loss and sacrifice.

Genres: Manga, Young Adult, Fiction, Japanese Literature, Graphic Novels, Romance

560 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 21, 2008

About the author

Takatsu is a poet, novelist, publisher, designer, event and community coordinator and featured Wattpad Star of 20,000 followers from Toronto. In 2008, through Secondhand Memories , he pioneered English “cell phone novels”. In 2014, his acclaimed literary novel, Espresso Love won a Watty’s Award and reached 1 million reads. Inspiritus Press released his literary and art collection, Of Forests & Clocks & Dreams , in 2016, and he received the Babs Burggraf Award for short story "The Elephant Girl". In 2017, he edited Apparatus, a poetry and prose anthology by 15 contributors. His debut poetry chapbook Kawatare was published by Anstruther Press in August 2017. Forthcoming is a poem in PRISM International. He continues to coordinate community and innovation through Inspiritus Press, Crossroads Literary Festival, Bring the Noise Street Poetry Tour, the Wattpad Literary Fiction Network, the Cell Phone Novel movement and social marketing initiatives.

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Reviews

[Brielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was like drinking poisoned tea. You'd never expect it.
But in a good way.

[Soobie is expired · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my first cell phone novel. I was familiar with the concept because I've been reading manga since I was a kid but I've never read one.

This one popped up in my suggestions and I decided to give it a try.

I didn't mind the short chapters but I totally disliked the language: it was too easy... Tons of coordinates and not enough subordinates. It just didn't work for me. I do appreciate a more developed kind of language. It was like reading the thoughts of a little boy. I don't know if this is a feature of the genre or of the author, though.

Sure, the author should work more on his punctuation and on the difference between "you and I" and "you and me". In addition the publisher should have paid more attention into the creation of the ebook. There are lots of page numbers that are left at the end of the small chapters.

What about the story?

Meh...

A boy and a girl. They've been friends forever, now they're finally a couple. One day she gets hit by a car and she ends up in a coma. He tries to be with her as much as possible but the Airu appears on the horizon. And the poor guy doesn't know what to do anymore.

I didn't like the plot. It was slow and I'm not sure what to author wanted to achieve with it. Was this novel supposed to be a mystery? A novel about mourning and rebirth? A growing-up novel? I couldn't decide.

On the contrary, I absolutely loved the Japanese atmosphere of the novel. It felt real. Let me explain this. I've been reading some self-published Italian authors and most of them wanted to set their stories in the US because it's exotic. So you always have a bunch of American-sounding names but absolutely no feelings about the setting. Here, you have the feeling. It's like being in Japan with the characters.

The part about the trip to Kyōto and Ōsaka were really interesting. Too bad that the weird romance between Seiji and Airu kind of spoiled it for me.

The ending... Open ending in a very Japanese fashion. I'm not sure I liked it, though. I'm not even sure if that was an happy ending or not...

I'm actually happy I've read at least on cell phone novel but I don't think I'll repeat the experiment soon.

I have fond memories of Nanba station in Ōsaka...

[Cosette]

I remember when I first stumbled upon this. At that time, I didn't really know about CPNs and I was looking for some, to see what kind of genre it is. Your story was the first to pop up. At first, I found it on Wattpad and read the first chapter there. Needless to say what my reaction was.

Sadly, I didn't finish reading it yet, but it truly surprised me, right from the first line. I guess there is only one way to describe it: an amalgam of feelings and ideas compiled into small, poetic chapters, full of emotions.

I'm looking forward to finishing reading it. (Also, I'd really like to have it in paperback. Working on it.)

[Meradeth Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never actually read a cell phone novel before. I've heard of them, but this was a first for me, and in some ways this was a lot like reading a novel in verse, with short chapters (often only about a page), and quick and simple descriptions. It was interesting. And, honestly, I think the format is fun, and definitely makes for a quick read. Still, I had some issues with this novel. I wanted to enjoy it, and I definitely enjoyed reading about some of the awesome places I got to visit while in Japan, but I just had a hard time with the characters. They were a little more difficult to identify with than I cared for, which made things tedious. Their emotions rocketed all over the place and there was no firm grasp of their motivations. Which is probably more accurate for teens than I care to admit, but still, it made for trying reading. Anyhow, definitely a fun format, and it made me miss Japan (and the amazing food...what I wouldn't give for some good Japanese food, haha!), but just not a novel for me.

[Cody Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an amazing read. At first, I was skeptical about reading Secondhand Memories due to the uncommon formatting, but I quickly found myself enamored by the way the author was able to flesh out the story and the characters with such limited space. This ultimately enhanced the overall feel to the story as it felt like the writing itself was something ever changing. The use of minimalism felt done just right as I was able to draw my own interpretations from the writing and make the characters my own without feeling lost the whole time. As a lover of both prose and poetry, Secondhand Memories was able to appeal to me greatly on both fronts.

[Nadya Nyobi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not really good at reviews, but this - I love this. Secondhand Memories is a really nice cellphone novel, perfect for the 'coming of age' theme and it was paced really nicely. I love the CPN style, the white space, the flow of the prose and all; I can say that Secondhand Memories is truly the pioneer the cellphone novels.

I really don't know to say it, haha ;; If you're reading this Taka, I'll send you a full and proper review one day :p

[Wasabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the story so far! The cell phone novel's poetic style is "soothing" to my eyes when I read it, it is finally in print, so I can read it on paper away from the bright screens. I teared up a few chapters in and I can't put down the book now! Every time the pace starts to calm down, the plot just twists and turns and everything gets more interesting! Even thought it's a huge book, I'm just worried I'll finish it too fast and won't know what to do after!

[Wylona F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read many books. But honestly, no book can match the simplicity, the beauty, and emotions of this book. Takatsu has done a beyond excellent job writing "Secondhand Memories" I felt almost like a grew up while reading the book. Takatsu brought the words on his pages to life and emblazoned them with philsophy and emotion. I am so glad I stumbled across this novel. I highly recommend reading this book. It will leave a change on you.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully moving tale of first love, loss and betrayal which is also a fascinating and in depth look at Japanese culture and the lyrical style of the cellphone novel which I hope to see much more of.

[Babu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading it back during its textnovel days.
It has a lot of YA cpn stuff in it, reminds me a lot of another anime.

I'm happy to have read it and owning the copy.
Brought it as an example in my Japanese literature class when cellphone novel came up as a topic.

Taka-chan wrote some for the next part but I dunno if it's finished.

Recommended if someone is curious about cellphone novel style and story.

~Ergelina~

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book just killed me emotionally.





It started of sweet, so sweet I was terrified of getting diabetes. Everything was perfect for Aoi and Seiji. One might even feel envious because what they had my friend was the definition of true love. The couple was forgiving, kind, compassionate and most importantly loving (like there was no tomorrow).

However, Takatsu had to pierce my heard with a wooden embellished stake just to make things more interesting. I was crying, crying so much that I probably put the Niagara Falls to shame. I had still not connected with the characters, I have no idea why probably because I couldn't relate to their joyous bubbly time of being together but this in no way hindered me in feeling the stabs of the devastating event of what was to come. I mean come on! I share the pain but not the joy?

Takatsu wrote the book in such a compelling mystic way that you had only two options when the "event" occurred a) bawl your eyes out/ (for the heartless people out there) feel a twinge of pain and b) bawl your eyes out/ feel a twinge of pain. He left no room for other alternatives!

The book was written in a soft manner with haikus and repetition for emphasizes. It was easy to understand, simplicity being the main point yet it was deep in different ways. It centered love, self hatred, denial, acceptance, horror at oneself, betrayal, renewal, sad endings and new beginnings.

I knew this book was result in some sad moments for me. I mean look at the banner:

Their faces are the definition of sad. What I wasn't expecting was a tsunami of gritty frustration, blossoming acceptance and love and then surprise.

The pain in this book didn't just hurt you. It managed to cripple you.

Most endings are either sad, happy or a cliffhanger. I think the ending of this book was a cliffhanger of sorts. There is a huge surprise which will make you want to fling something but you still don't know what happens. Questions still surround the book so I think it's an open ending. I thought maybe Aoi would die and Seiji in the end would get to meet her because he's hit too. But turns out the date mugging scene repeats itself instead Aoi's now awake and Seiji's smeared in blood with Airu by his side. So who ends up with who and what happens??

*sighs* I'm not really affected by books that much but I think the soft way this book was written. The way emotions are poured out on each and every line. This made it more dramatic.
It did irk me that some prepositions were used incorrectly but this was very rare and everything else made up for it!

This and other reviews can be found at: Andy's Scribbles

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah, the throes of teenage love.

Actually, maybe more like, uggg, the throes of teenage love.

It's a bit hard to say which of the above paragraphs I'd slot Secondhand Memories into. Because while reading about teenage love is like watching a movie in Technicolor, it's also like watching a movie in ultra-bright Technicolor, while hung-over, with a migraine, when workers are tearing up your street with jackhammers. Secondhand Memories wore me down. There's just so much. Written as a cell-phone novel, none of the individual "chapters" are overwhelming taken on their own, a page at most, written in what almost feels like poetry. But there are like eight hundred of them. Eight hundred little, angst-ridden, teenager-problems, non-rhyming poems, which often repeat what the previous little, angst-ridden, teenager-problems, non-rhyming poem has just told us. Likely in a serialized form, this isn't so grating: your phone beeps with a little dash of literature in your day, huzzah! But lined up the way it is, one after another, so much teenage angst. So much. So much much much much much much much.

The plot is pretty standard soap-opera. Boy and Girl fall in love. Something a bit spooky goes on. Then girl falls in coma. Boy doesn't know what to do with his life. Meets another girl. Now what? Does he wait forever for Girl One (Coma) to wake up or move on with Girl Two? Boy, of course, has zero flaws, and the flaws he does have are those sorts of flaws wounded heroes have, which aren't really flaws as much as attributes. There's a cartoony villain and a whole roster of vaguely interchangeable friends. They go to Kyoto (where FamilyMart still owes me the 100 Yen I dropped in their ice cream freezer and couldn't get out). They get almost-mugged by some Nazis. You know, typical. It doesn't really matter. We're about seven-hundred-and-ninety-eight little, angst-ridden, teenager-problems, non-rhyming poems too many to really matter.

It's a diversion, like bad television. Not much more. You kind of get into the groove of it and then are too lazy to change to the channel.

Secondhand Memories by Takatsu went on sale December 24, 2014.

I received a copy free from Librarything in exchange for an honest review.

[Sam Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first Cell Phone Novel I've read. Found out about it via Goodreads. Initially I thought it was a manga, which is why I added it to my list (always on the lookout for another manga to read). Turns out this Cell Phone Novel consists of hundreds of very short chapters, each no more than 100 words apiece. I did enjoy the sparse writing style--there is truly some beautiful writing throughout this book, and powerful in its simplicity. Sadly, the story itself fell a bit flat for me. The story went down some wild turns I didn't expect. What started out seeming to be a "slice-of-life" story ducked down a different road when Seiji receives a phone call that makes it seem as though his girlfriend, Aoi, has been kidnapped and is being held hostage. This turns out to not be true, but Seiji's world is turned upside down all over again when Aoi is struck by a car and ends up in a coma.

Sometimes, Seiji's thoughts and reflections as he struggled to deal with Aoi's coma were very profound and thought-provoking. Othertimes, his words came off as downright melodramatic. The pace of the story was a little slow for my tastes as well, especially toward the last third of the book. And I really wasn't sure what to make to make of the story when Seiji began turning toward a relationship with Airu. Should I be rooting for him? Is he with Airu because he feels a connection with her that he didn't with Aoi, and he recognizes that it's time for him to move on with his life? Or is he with Airu because she's there, present with him now? His answer, when he considered it at all, seemed to oscillate between the two. I guess i needed to see more closure with his relationship with Aoi. The ending of the story, too, felt rather abrupt, and frankly a little soap-operaish.

This was definitely an interesting read, and a good introduction to a completely different style of writing. I just wish Seiji's story had run a little stronger for me.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more of a 3.5

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

I really didn't know what to expect when I went into Secondhand Memories. It had an interesting cover and that was my entire draw to the book. I'm so glad that it did catch my eye because this was one of those stories that just really worked for me on almost every level.

In case you don't know, Secondhand Memories is the story of Seiji and his relationship with his girlfriend Aoi. I'm not going to tell you much more because I don't want to give away any spoilers.

I will tell you that this was an emotional ride. It's the kind of story that grips you and makes you want to read further just to find out what the characters are going to do next. The events don't matter much. It's what these characters go through that made me enjoy it. The story is good at throwing you an emotional gut punch. I don't know how many times I let out groans of frustration because of something a character did that just uprooted everything. The characters are the heart of the story and it shows.

This was originally a cell phone novel that was compiled into one story all together. As a result, the prose is broken into tiny parts. It made it a really easy quick read. The way the tension built, it made it hard to put it down. One section flowed into the next seamlessly and it created a unique reading experience I hadn't seen before.

Long story short, I really enjoyed it.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanking Sakura Publishing for introducing me to the cell phone novel movement and giving me the opportunity to review Secondhand Memories.

A cell phone novels are serial, online, ongoing literature written in short poetic chapters of a max word count of around 100 – 200 words each. In essence, it’s a new form of writing and a way of expression.

That’s why I guess it reminded me a bit about poetry, just by the looks of it. It also felt like that, blended with storytelling. It almost had something lyrical. Perhaps I could compare it to the feeling of floating on a cloud while listening to music? Turning into a roller coaster, taking you on an exciting ride, laden with emotions?

Seiji and Aoi have been inseparable childhood friends and eventually, high school sweethearts. Believing in naive dreams and love, all seems well until a tragedy separates them with a chasm of frozen time. As one struggles with the aftermath, the world moves on, while the other remains still. A journey about love, loss and sacrifice, which will leave no one untouched!

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really glad I got the opportunity to read this after receiving a digital copy for review from LibraryThing. The idea of the cell phone novel format really intrigued me and ended up being so perfect for reading while sitting on buses and trains. The prose style made the story flow very quickly and also gave it a lot of emotion that I think wouldn't have been conveyed as effectively or as beautifully through any other style. The characters are great and seem like real people you could actually know. There were parts of the story within the middle that seemed to drag a little and that's why I'm giving it 3 stars but it picked up at the end. Overall I was really impressed with this story and glad that I read it.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first text book (no not an academic book to review this time) but a mobile phone type book.

This was an altogether different book altogether and such a pleasant surprise to be asked to review this from www.librarything.co.uk the formatting is different so the reader is in for a different read.

It is a really beautiful story of love loss and betrayal, with an interesting look at Japanese life. The plot has lots of twists and turns so the reader will definitely not be bored with this.

This is a well written very simple book and an author I will now look out for. A pleasure to read this.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT! that ending was nothing I expected it to be. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or bad thing.

SOMEONE COME TALK TO ME ABOUT THIS BOOK!
(spoilers from here down)
Did he die? Is he now in a comma? HOW IS AOI GOING TO REACT!
there needs to be a second book. too many unanswered questions.
Takatsu please stop playing with my emotions. (but don't, give me a second book)

Edit:
the year is over and this is still one of the best books I read in 2015. More people need to read this book.

[Aya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.

Secondhand Memories is such an awesome cellphone novel, the 'coming of age" theme was very well written and paced nicely.

I really did love this book. At first I thought the formatting was a bit odd, but then I found myself hooked to it, and I soon started to love it because of the way the author was able to talk about the characters and the way she wrote the book itself.

I really do love prose and poetry, and the book was able to bring these two aspects into the book, which I clearly love. This is a must read!!

[Ryby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of book 1 on hold.