One of the things I've come to expect from Maha Harada is her ability to immerse readers in a world they may know little about. While many of her novels explore the worlds of art and artists, 本日は、お日柄もよく takes a different path, focusing instead on the power of words. Through the story of an ordinary office worker who finds herself becoming a speechwriter and drawn into political campaigning, Harada shows how carefully chosen words can inspire, persuade, and change lives.
Harada's gift for dialogue is on full display here. Every major speech felt authentic and emotionally resonant, and more than one brought me to tears. Rather than relying on dramatic twists, the novel's emotional weight comes from the sincerity of its characters and the conviction behind their words.
As with much of Harada's work, there are very few truly unlikeable characters. Even those with opposing views are treated with empathy, making the story feel warm and deeply human. The ending was fairly predictable, but in this case that felt less like a flaw and more like a satisfying conclusion to the journey.
Once again, I'm left impressed by the breadth of Harada's knowledge and her ability to shine a light on a niche aspect of Japanese culture. Whether she's writing about art conservation or political speechwriting, she has a remarkable talent for making specialized worlds feel accessible, fascinating, and emotionally compelling.
I'm not much interested in politics, so the story was not my cup of tea. The plot is also like girly manga; the heroine is an ordinary admin worker but has a hidden talent for speech writing. Her family and friends support her through her journey to success. At the same time, a successful, handsome guy makes a move on her.