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The Things She Owned
Years after the death of her cruel and complicated mother, Erika is still surrounded by the things she left behind: an onigiri basket, a Wedgwood tea set, a knotted ring from Okinawa. Against her Japanese family’s wishes, Erika has also kept the urn containing her mother’s ashes and bones, refusing to put Michiko’s memory to rest. She ignores her grief, throwing herself into her work as a chef at a high-end London restaurant. But when a cousin announces that she will be visiting from Japan, Erika’s resolve begins to crack.
Slowly the things Michiko owned reveal stories of her youth amid the upheaval of Tokyo during and after the Second World War. As the two women’s stories progress and entwine, Erika is drawn to Okinawa, the island of her ancestors. It’s a place of magic and mysticism where the secrets of Erika’s own past are waiting to be revealed.
Beautiful and mysterious, The Things She Owned explores the complexity of lives lived between cultures, the weight of cross-generational trauma, and a mother and daughter on a tortuous path to forgiveness.
Slowly the things Michiko owned reveal stories of her youth amid the upheaval of Tokyo during and after the Second World War. As the two women’s stories progress and entwine, Erika is drawn to Okinawa, the island of her ancestors. It’s a place of magic and mysticism where the secrets of Erika’s own past are waiting to be revealed.
Beautiful and mysterious, The Things She Owned explores the complexity of lives lived between cultures, the weight of cross-generational trauma, and a mother and daughter on a tortuous path to forgiveness.
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Published August 15, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
September 12, 2020
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Book Bingo 2020 Round 9: Themes of Culture.
‘She’d found the act of arranging her mother’s pretty pink- and-green Wedgewood tea set on it reassuring. The cups, saucers and plates, the teapot, sugar pot and milk jug, the cake stand and its cake slice- all matching- had exuded a solid reality that kept her anchored. And yet looking at them now, these familiar objects suddenly feel strange and out of place, as if she’s seeing them for the first time.’
The Things She Owned is a truly exquisite story that looks at a complex mother and daughter relationship, family lineage, grief, war experiences and intergenerational trauma. Katherine Tamiko Arguile’s debut novel also represents a rich cultural odyssey, revealing a great deal about life in both Tokyo and Okinawa.
Erika lost her mother over a decade ago but when her cousin comes to stay with Erika, old wounds and new truths are revealed. Erika had a complicated relationship with her mother and as a result she has been unable to put the ghosts of her mother’s past to rest. A collection of personal treasures Erika still owns from her mother’s past is the catalyst she needs to finally make peace with her mother’s memory. From an old tea set, to a ring and birth certificate, Erika still retains these important items from her mother Michiko. Not only has Erika refused to let go of these objects, she also has her mother’s ashes, which is against her mother’s Japanese heritage. With the help of her cousin Erika finally confronts her mother’s difficult past. Erika uncovers many stories about her mother’s upbringing, the impact of the Second World War, her relationships and sadness. Erika is compelled to take a trip back to a place of great significance to her mother and their family, the Japanese island of Okinawa. It is here at this beautiful island locale that Erika will finally make peace the past.
Resplendent, elegant, poised and passionate. These are just some of the words that came to mind when I sat down to reflect on and write my review of The Things She Owned by Katherine Tamiko Arguile. I feel a little saddened that I very nearly let this magical book pass me by. I recently tuned in to a Better Reading author event with the very talented debut novelist Katherine Tamiko Arguile and I was soon seduced by the power of this culturally rich tale.
The Things She Owned is structured via a dual style narrative that deftly takes the reader from the past to present, traversing Japan, the island of Okinawa and modern day London. The book is also relayed from the point of view of both Michiko and her daughter Erika. Both sets of narration resonated deeply with me and I felt fully involved in the respective character life paths. Katherine Tamiko Arguile embeds herself in the viewpoints of Michiko, a troubled woman and Erika, her traumatised daughter. Both leads are clearly drawn on the pages of The Things She Owned and they are supported by a wonderful periphery cast. These secondary characters add an extra sheen to this brilliant tale.
The Things She Owned is defined by carefully considered spaces in the narrative that introduce pivotal objects owned by Michiko, which have been inherited by her daughter Erika. These personal belongings and cultural artifacts provide us with further lead in clues as to Michiko’s closely guarded life and hidden truths. Above all, one item in particular provides the key Erika needs to unlock the mystery surrounding the identity of her unknown father. The author goes to great pains to underline the features, history and significance of this cache of personal effects. From a tea service, a cabinet, necklace, ring, knife and a basket among others, each is accompanied by a fascinating cultural story. I found this to be such a creative and unique way to format a novel.
Rarely have I read a story that encompasses a Japanese point of view of the impact of the Second World War. The Things She Owned provides a strong human face to the ordinary people of Japan and how individuals, their families and generations after were devastated by the aftershocks of World War II. Learning more about Michiko’s journey, her painful experiences and the long lasting trauma this woman endured helps us better understand Michiko’s often very cruel actions. In Erika’s narrative, we see a deeply hurt woman, who channels her grief into her work as a chef. Erika buries her pain and Erika’s disconnection to her culture is a dominant theme throughout the novel. When Katherine Tamiko Arguile takes the reader to the beautiful and mystical island of Okinawa, we are confronted with another full cultural experience. I loved the customs, cultural experiences, the mysticism and magical folklore that I encountered thanks to this magnificent book. Above all, I enjoyed sitting side by side with Erika and Michiko in this immersive cultural affair.
There are just so many wonderful layers to peel back as you make your way through The Things She Owned and I promise you it is worth it. The end was written beautifully, it was incredibly meaningful and it offered closure to the characters. I have no hesitation at all in giving my full recommendation of Katherine Tamiko Arguile’s ornate debut, The Things She Owned.
The Things She Owned is book #100 of the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
Book Bingo 2020 Round 9: Themes of Culture.
‘She’d found the act of arranging her mother’s pretty pink- and-green Wedgewood tea set on it reassuring. The cups, saucers and plates, the teapot, sugar pot and milk jug, the cake stand and its cake slice- all matching- had exuded a solid reality that kept her anchored. And yet looking at them now, these familiar objects suddenly feel strange and out of place, as if she’s seeing them for the first time.’
The Things She Owned is a truly exquisite story that looks at a complex mother and daughter relationship, family lineage, grief, war experiences and intergenerational trauma. Katherine Tamiko Arguile’s debut novel also represents a rich cultural odyssey, revealing a great deal about life in both Tokyo and Okinawa.
Erika lost her mother over a decade ago but when her cousin comes to stay with Erika, old wounds and new truths are revealed. Erika had a complicated relationship with her mother and as a result she has been unable to put the ghosts of her mother’s past to rest. A collection of personal treasures Erika still owns from her mother’s past is the catalyst she needs to finally make peace with her mother’s memory. From an old tea set, to a ring and birth certificate, Erika still retains these important items from her mother Michiko. Not only has Erika refused to let go of these objects, she also has her mother’s ashes, which is against her mother’s Japanese heritage. With the help of her cousin Erika finally confronts her mother’s difficult past. Erika uncovers many stories about her mother’s upbringing, the impact of the Second World War, her relationships and sadness. Erika is compelled to take a trip back to a place of great significance to her mother and their family, the Japanese island of Okinawa. It is here at this beautiful island locale that Erika will finally make peace the past.
Resplendent, elegant, poised and passionate. These are just some of the words that came to mind when I sat down to reflect on and write my review of The Things She Owned by Katherine Tamiko Arguile. I feel a little saddened that I very nearly let this magical book pass me by. I recently tuned in to a Better Reading author event with the very talented debut novelist Katherine Tamiko Arguile and I was soon seduced by the power of this culturally rich tale.
The Things She Owned is structured via a dual style narrative that deftly takes the reader from the past to present, traversing Japan, the island of Okinawa and modern day London. The book is also relayed from the point of view of both Michiko and her daughter Erika. Both sets of narration resonated deeply with me and I felt fully involved in the respective character life paths. Katherine Tamiko Arguile embeds herself in the viewpoints of Michiko, a troubled woman and Erika, her traumatised daughter. Both leads are clearly drawn on the pages of The Things She Owned and they are supported by a wonderful periphery cast. These secondary characters add an extra sheen to this brilliant tale.
The Things She Owned is defined by carefully considered spaces in the narrative that introduce pivotal objects owned by Michiko, which have been inherited by her daughter Erika. These personal belongings and cultural artifacts provide us with further lead in clues as to Michiko’s closely guarded life and hidden truths. Above all, one item in particular provides the key Erika needs to unlock the mystery surrounding the identity of her unknown father. The author goes to great pains to underline the features, history and significance of this cache of personal effects. From a tea service, a cabinet, necklace, ring, knife and a basket among others, each is accompanied by a fascinating cultural story. I found this to be such a creative and unique way to format a novel.
Rarely have I read a story that encompasses a Japanese point of view of the impact of the Second World War. The Things She Owned provides a strong human face to the ordinary people of Japan and how individuals, their families and generations after were devastated by the aftershocks of World War II. Learning more about Michiko’s journey, her painful experiences and the long lasting trauma this woman endured helps us better understand Michiko’s often very cruel actions. In Erika’s narrative, we see a deeply hurt woman, who channels her grief into her work as a chef. Erika buries her pain and Erika’s disconnection to her culture is a dominant theme throughout the novel. When Katherine Tamiko Arguile takes the reader to the beautiful and mystical island of Okinawa, we are confronted with another full cultural experience. I loved the customs, cultural experiences, the mysticism and magical folklore that I encountered thanks to this magnificent book. Above all, I enjoyed sitting side by side with Erika and Michiko in this immersive cultural affair.
There are just so many wonderful layers to peel back as you make your way through The Things She Owned and I promise you it is worth it. The end was written beautifully, it was incredibly meaningful and it offered closure to the characters. I have no hesitation at all in giving my full recommendation of Katherine Tamiko Arguile’s ornate debut, The Things She Owned.
The Things She Owned is book #100 of the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
May 2, 2020
The Things she Owned is a beautiful story of a complicated mother-daughter relationship. In this dual narrative, Katherine Tamiko Arguile manages to capture the two main characters very well: the experiences that shaped them, that bound them, that tore at their relationship until barely a thread held it. Their individual stories are both so satisfying, and the secondary characters are really well drawn. I was fascinated by the experience and legacy of WWII for a young Japanese woman, and Arguile's story made me think carefully about how trauma and also tradition is inherited. I looked forward to returning to this story when I got into bed each evening. I highly recommend it.
August 25, 2020
This is way out of my comfort zone. However, a few words and a 'why I bought it' are here.
https://alittleteaalittlechat.wordpre...
PS: I can't believe what a booksite has come to. Not one of the listings for this book is a real book edition. Well, that's what I read, the real edition. Most certainly not the audio book under which I have made these comments.
https://alittleteaalittlechat.wordpre...
PS: I can't believe what a booksite has come to. Not one of the listings for this book is a real book edition. Well, that's what I read, the real edition. Most certainly not the audio book under which I have made these comments.
February 24, 2021
A beautiful story that weaves through the lives of Erika and Michiko, and how the mother and daughter were so similar but separated from each other through years of miscommunication, hurt and drink.
Ultimately, this is a tale of Erika facing the grief and change the death of her mother has wrought on her physically and mentally. The reader can hold great sympathy for Erika from the brief snippets of memory she faces of her troubled history with her mother, yet we are also introduced to the trauma of Michiko’s past and how she pasted that trauma down to her daughter.
What I loved about this book was the relationships that were torn apart and formed between women, and the healing that can be found in those relationships - especially between Erika and her cousin, Kei.
Ultimately, this is a tale of Erika facing the grief and change the death of her mother has wrought on her physically and mentally. The reader can hold great sympathy for Erika from the brief snippets of memory she faces of her troubled history with her mother, yet we are also introduced to the trauma of Michiko’s past and how she pasted that trauma down to her daughter.
What I loved about this book was the relationships that were torn apart and formed between women, and the healing that can be found in those relationships - especially between Erika and her cousin, Kei.
July 18, 2021
Katherine Tamiko Arguile is the daughter of a British father and Japanese mother. She has now settled in Adelaide, Australia, where I live. Our book group was pleased to support a local author in our most recent discussion. It is clear from her Acknowledgements that this is a novel (her first) that she has struggled to write for some time, addressing as it does a conflicted heritage. She also makes clear that the mother in this story is a very different character from her own mother.
The story moves between Japan during World War 2 and the Occupation by the Allies and London in the present. Michiko is traumatised by her experiences of war in Tokyo, which form her future. In London, Erica, her daughter, cannot deal with her mother's history or pay the proper respects to her ashes. Erica's cousin Kei arrival in London is the catalyst for Erica to face the feelings she has about her mother and to discover more about her mother's history.
The strongest part of the novel was without doubt the sections set in Japan. They showed powerfully the effects of war on a civilian population and on individuals within it. The contemporary scenes were less convincing and Erica's visit to Okinawa, which ends the novel, seemed contrived and melodramatic.
Tamiko Arguile is an arts journalist and a cafe owner. There is great importance placed on food in this book, which I found a distraction. The writing is uneven. However, our group felt it was a book well worth reading.
The story moves between Japan during World War 2 and the Occupation by the Allies and London in the present. Michiko is traumatised by her experiences of war in Tokyo, which form her future. In London, Erica, her daughter, cannot deal with her mother's history or pay the proper respects to her ashes. Erica's cousin Kei arrival in London is the catalyst for Erica to face the feelings she has about her mother and to discover more about her mother's history.
The strongest part of the novel was without doubt the sections set in Japan. They showed powerfully the effects of war on a civilian population and on individuals within it. The contemporary scenes were less convincing and Erica's visit to Okinawa, which ends the novel, seemed contrived and melodramatic.
Tamiko Arguile is an arts journalist and a cafe owner. There is great importance placed on food in this book, which I found a distraction. The writing is uneven. However, our group felt it was a book well worth reading.
January 31, 2021
A beautifully written story weaving the present (Erika, living in London) and the past (her Japanese mother Michiko who lived in Tokyo during and after WW2). Erika’s cousin from Japan comes to visit. Her stay forces Erika to look into her mother’s past - items once belonging to Michiko all hold a historical, meaningful or emotional connection to the past, revealing new truths & exposing secrets long held. How captivating that the author begins each chapter with describing these sentimental and cultural ornaments and items. Erika becomes curious to find more about her ancestry and has unanswered questions, particularly about her parents, she seeks to resolve, and to quote a line in the book “If she came to understand these things, Erika might be able to reconnect the fractured parts of herself”. The Things She Owned is Katherine Tamiko Argulie’a first novel, so for a debut piece of work it is a stunning book and I hope she keeps writing. I would definitely read more of what she has to offer. On a personal note, I was happy to read in her bio that she lives in my beautiful home town of Adelaide.
April 13, 2021
Erika has a collection of her mothers things. This is the story of her mothers life through the objects she Owned. This is an extremely melancholy book about a daughter and her deceased estranged mother who twelve years after her death she can not lay to rest. It should have felt more moving than it was. I felt neither a connection to mother or daughter and the ending was quite shocking.
July 6, 2020
Beautifully written, sad and melancholic, this story brings the history of Japan after the war in an interesting light. The clash of cultures, the fight between the old and the new, the destruction of the the times - all of it have a big influence for generations to come.
November 14, 2020
I listened to the first half an hour of the audiobook, but it did not capture my attention at all. Everything, characters included, felt very flat, and there was far too much unnecessary foul language.
October 7, 2022
Erika spends her life in London working as a chef at an upmarket restaurant. When she’s not working, she spends her life trying to ignore the urn in her apartment containing her mother Michiko’s ashes - in defiance of Japanese custom, where she should have put these to rest 12 years ago when her mother died.
When Erika’s cousin decides to visit from Tokyo, Erika begins to get agitated about what she should do with the ashes. As the things Michiko owned gradually begin to reveal the stories of her life during and after the war, Erika is drawn to Okinawa - the homeland of her grandmother, just as her mother was before her.
I enjoy a story about a difficult mother/daughter relationship and this book was no exception. Although I found Erika to be not always the most likeable character, she paled in significance against the horror that was her mother! Although Michiko did not have the most pleasant life, I found her an abhorrent character that I’m afraid I had absolutely no sympathy for.
As much as I enjoyed every other aspect of this book (particularly the writing about cooking, food and Okinawa), I think I must just have a heart of stone (😂) as I just couldn’t really muster any enthusiasm or emotion towards Michiko and as such didn’t find the end as moving (or at all moving in my case) as I think I should have.
Still a very enjoyable, yet melancholy story that is particularly fascinating and thought provoking if you enjoy reading about difficult familial relationships and how you move on from these. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
When Erika’s cousin decides to visit from Tokyo, Erika begins to get agitated about what she should do with the ashes. As the things Michiko owned gradually begin to reveal the stories of her life during and after the war, Erika is drawn to Okinawa - the homeland of her grandmother, just as her mother was before her.
I enjoy a story about a difficult mother/daughter relationship and this book was no exception. Although I found Erika to be not always the most likeable character, she paled in significance against the horror that was her mother! Although Michiko did not have the most pleasant life, I found her an abhorrent character that I’m afraid I had absolutely no sympathy for.
As much as I enjoyed every other aspect of this book (particularly the writing about cooking, food and Okinawa), I think I must just have a heart of stone (😂) as I just couldn’t really muster any enthusiasm or emotion towards Michiko and as such didn’t find the end as moving (or at all moving in my case) as I think I should have.
Still a very enjoyable, yet melancholy story that is particularly fascinating and thought provoking if you enjoy reading about difficult familial relationships and how you move on from these. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
May 2, 2021
Wow! What a beautifully written book!
This story explores complex mother-daughter relationships, trauma, grief, tradition and culture, and more. Written from a dual narrative we get to explore both Erika's modern-day experiences, and her mother's second world war trauma and experiences. We are transported to London, Tokyo, and Okinawa.
This is not an instant gratification story, each section is crafted from the previous chapters and sentences but centered around objects from Michiko's life that leads clues to unravel her guarded life. Which I thought was absolutely beautiful.
This was such a beautifully complex story and I really enjoyed learning about the history and culture of Japan during and after World War Two.
This story explores complex mother-daughter relationships, trauma, grief, tradition and culture, and more. Written from a dual narrative we get to explore both Erika's modern-day experiences, and her mother's second world war trauma and experiences. We are transported to London, Tokyo, and Okinawa.
This is not an instant gratification story, each section is crafted from the previous chapters and sentences but centered around objects from Michiko's life that leads clues to unravel her guarded life. Which I thought was absolutely beautiful.
This was such a beautifully complex story and I really enjoyed learning about the history and culture of Japan during and after World War Two.
August 28, 2020
I found this book hard to get into at first but once I got into it I quite liked it.
The story is about a daughter who has not buried the bones of her mother who died twelve years ago. The book is really about the difficult relationship between the mother and daughter.
The book moves between the two characters. While I did think the mother was quite selfish, viewing things from her perspective gave some understanding.
Definitely worth a read
The story is about a daughter who has not buried the bones of her mother who died twelve years ago. The book is really about the difficult relationship between the mother and daughter.
The book moves between the two characters. While I did think the mother was quite selfish, viewing things from her perspective gave some understanding.
Definitely worth a read
Read
September 3, 2020This was an interesting book on many levels.
A piercing look at mother daughter relationships and intergenerational trauma. Beautifully written and wonderful storytelling that both makes your heart ache and leaves you feeling hopeful and optimistic. Set in the days of the Japan war.
I felt like I was visiting Japan with the characters and enjoyed reading about part of their history. Beautiful book
A piercing look at mother daughter relationships and intergenerational trauma. Beautifully written and wonderful storytelling that both makes your heart ache and leaves you feeling hopeful and optimistic. Set in the days of the Japan war.
I felt like I was visiting Japan with the characters and enjoyed reading about part of their history. Beautiful book
December 18, 2020
Erika isn’t happy about her cousin coming to visit. She knows that she will have to do something with Mother’s remains - something she doesn’t want to think about. Erika did not have a very good relationship with her Mother. Parallel to Erica’s story is her Mother Michiko’s story which Erika becomes aware of through her Mother’s diaries. Well written with interesting insights into Japanese culture.
April 22, 2023
A bitter-sweet tale of a troubled mother daughter relationship set in war time Tokyo and present day London.
Of special interest is the involvement of a noro, a traditional Okinawan shamanic priestess, in the lives of the two women.
Of special interest is the involvement of a noro, a traditional Okinawan shamanic priestess, in the lives of the two women.
June 7, 2023
Mixed feelings about this one. It started slowly, but halfway through I began to get into the story and the characters began to feel real. Some aspects of the story felt a bit too convenient. It was enjoyable overall and I recommend to those who like past-present family secret sort of stories.
July 2, 2023
This booked grabbed me from the start and, being a huge fan of Karate Kid II, I was facinated to learn more about Okinawan traditions. The perspectives/stories on war and from different sides of relationships were very interesting. I also enjoyed reading about the treasures collected and how they had been a part of the past and the future. It was a lovely story.
June 2, 2020
What a stunningly rich evocation of generational trauma and cultural reckoning. Told in two perspectives, The Things She Owned takes readers from Tokyo to London to Okinawa as Erika retrospectively tries to make sense of her abusive mother and her mother, through diaries, dreams her world bigger. The structure of the book is dependent on what's passed onto Erika through her mother's death, the beautiful artifacts that contain both memory and an inherent cultural identity. Arguile is both patient and passionate with word choice, making this book an indulgence. Like the things Erika owns, this book is also a work of art.
June 3, 2020
This book is an absolutely exquisite and heart-breaking evocation of a complicated mother-daughter relationship and the consequences of inherited trauma. I was fascinated by the chapters set in Japan and how powerfully Arguile depicted the legacy of WWII. I loved this book so much, I gave it to my Mum (who devoured it in one sitting). Gorgeous writing and captivating story - I highly recommend it.
December 19, 2020
Really enjoyed this story of an Japanese English woman who enstranged from her now dead mother finds her story through precious objects. Loved the entwining of Japanese culture and modern day London buzz. An easy summer read.
September 7, 2020
The things she owned examines a strained relationship between mother Michiko and Erika, even though her mother Michiko has passed on some 12 years before. Erika’s house if full of her mother’s belongings, including that of her mother’s ashes which goes against Japanese tradition laying the deceased memories to rest.
Read the full review below
https://hundredacreofbooks.com/index....
January 11, 2025
I loved this book. The journeys into war-time and post-war Tokyo and then Okinawa are rich and engrossing. The book is poignant and surprising. Trigger warning? Yes. There is unsettling terrain leading up to and recovering from self-harm. And I would say it if I were recommending it to a friend, so I will say it here: I disliked the ending. But even so, I recommend the book. A writer cannot please everyone. And there is so much to make the read worthwhile.
This is the first book that I have finished in 2021, in a week when the news has made Arguile's fiction a welcome escape and I thank her for her beautiful storytelling, the well-drawn characters and places. And for anyone like me, with a special appetite for stories that weave between characters or time or both, you'll enjoy this. Oh, and speaking of appetite... the descriptions of food! You'll hunger for home-cooked Japanese meals.
This is the first book that I have finished in 2021, in a week when the news has made Arguile's fiction a welcome escape and I thank her for her beautiful storytelling, the well-drawn characters and places. And for anyone like me, with a special appetite for stories that weave between characters or time or both, you'll enjoy this. Oh, and speaking of appetite... the descriptions of food! You'll hunger for home-cooked Japanese meals.
January 15, 2021
Beautifully written. Fascinating insight into Japanese history, comes across as well-researched. I know that Erika is traumatised but I did find her to be unpleasant, immature and difficult to live with. Still worth reading because it’s beautiful.
I just can’t give it more than 3 stars because... did she EAT her mother’s ashes??? NOPE NOPE NOPE
I just can’t give it more than 3 stars because... did she EAT her mother’s ashes??? NOPE NOPE NOPE
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2021
Chloe bookclub 2021 … ⭐️⭐️⭐️ … just ok, lost interest about half way through and then didn’t pick it up for weeks, always a sure sign that a novel isn’t singing to me.
July 21, 2021
Did not finish this book, did not like the narrator and couldn’t progress any further than the first few chapters.
February 19, 2023
Erika’s mother Michiko was cruel and complicated, after dying, Erika was left with many mementos and the ashes of her mother - she decides to ignore all of these and focus on her career as a chef, but when her cousin Kei announces that she will be visiting, her resolve begins to crack and it’s time to face these items.
My heart went out to both Erika and Michiko’s childhoods, both treated poorly.
I found Erika’s character unlikeable though, mainly as an adult. Each chapter flicked from Erika and Michiko’s stories, if it was just Michiko’s story, I would have enjoyed it more, as her points of view were much more developed and you could feel the emotion and heartache.
Towards the end, I did seem to skim over the pages a little more, just wanting to get to the end, as parts were long winded and started to become repetitive.
Still, I love how Erika found solace in helping Mrs Mackenzie and I loved the bond that Erika and Michiko found over food and cooking.
This read shows you that money isn’t everything, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side and sometimes tomorrow never comes, so tell those who you love and don’t be afraid to say sorry.
Favourite Quote;
“She feels complete when she sits with Mrs Mackenzie, watching her tucking into the soups and casseroles Erika cooks for her.”
My heart went out to both Erika and Michiko’s childhoods, both treated poorly.
I found Erika’s character unlikeable though, mainly as an adult. Each chapter flicked from Erika and Michiko’s stories, if it was just Michiko’s story, I would have enjoyed it more, as her points of view were much more developed and you could feel the emotion and heartache.
Towards the end, I did seem to skim over the pages a little more, just wanting to get to the end, as parts were long winded and started to become repetitive.
Still, I love how Erika found solace in helping Mrs Mackenzie and I loved the bond that Erika and Michiko found over food and cooking.
This read shows you that money isn’t everything, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side and sometimes tomorrow never comes, so tell those who you love and don’t be afraid to say sorry.
Favourite Quote;
“She feels complete when she sits with Mrs Mackenzie, watching her tucking into the soups and casseroles Erika cooks for her.”
September 4, 2020
I noticed this pretty cover in the library, passed that shelf, came back, read the blurb, put it back, came back again, and picked it up. My first thought was not the kind of book I usually read. But I could not leave without it. There was something about the cover, I was intrigued. I m so glad I read it.
It is such a beautifully written story about a complex mother daughter relationship of Michiko and Erica. The story give PoV of Michiko's past and Erica's present.
Michiko's life in Japan, her relationship with her family members, World War and their struggles are what has shaped her to be an unpleasant person.
Erica, a chef in London, is burdened with what to do with her mother's things, including an urn of her ashes.
This book has a wonderful view of Japanese culture and Japanese way of life. I loved reading about it.
Original review posted on www.instagram.com/stellarcupofbooks
It is such a beautifully written story about a complex mother daughter relationship of Michiko and Erica. The story give PoV of Michiko's past and Erica's present.
Michiko's life in Japan, her relationship with her family members, World War and their struggles are what has shaped her to be an unpleasant person.
Erica, a chef in London, is burdened with what to do with her mother's things, including an urn of her ashes.
This book has a wonderful view of Japanese culture and Japanese way of life. I loved reading about it.
Original review posted on www.instagram.com/stellarcupofbooks
September 11, 2021
So, I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like this book, and I’m still trying to work my way through my feelings about it.
Firstly, I’ve always been fascinated by stories about fractured relationships between a mother and daughter, and this is definitely one of them. The differences between the way Erika remembered growing up around her mother alongside the way other people remembered her showed the differences in their relationship and worked well to highlight that people don’t always know the full story.
I think, for me, where this story fell down slightly is that nothing seemed to be really resolved and was left quite open ended which I’m not a massive fan of. The tension between Erika and her mother doesn’t really get a resolution and I don’t even want to think about what happed with her mother’s Ashes.
But, it was still a story that I enjoyed, even if the pacing was a bit off in places.
Firstly, I’ve always been fascinated by stories about fractured relationships between a mother and daughter, and this is definitely one of them. The differences between the way Erika remembered growing up around her mother alongside the way other people remembered her showed the differences in their relationship and worked well to highlight that people don’t always know the full story.
I think, for me, where this story fell down slightly is that nothing seemed to be really resolved and was left quite open ended which I’m not a massive fan of. The tension between Erika and her mother doesn’t really get a resolution and I don’t even want to think about what happed with her mother’s Ashes.
But, it was still a story that I enjoyed, even if the pacing was a bit off in places.
January 2, 2022
3.5 stars
I did find this book to be slow and found it picked up after the first 100 pages. The parts in Japan and of Mishikos story held my attention much more than Erikas, especially when it felt like there were interactions with secondary characters that added very little to the story. I understand the authors use of Japanese terms to stay true to the heritage but it did disconnect me from the story to have to continuously have to check the meaning for multiple words in the glossary in almost all chapters.
Overall it was an interesting story that gave insight into a complicated mother-daughter relationship that stems from generational trauma and life experiences.
I did find this book to be slow and found it picked up after the first 100 pages. The parts in Japan and of Mishikos story held my attention much more than Erikas, especially when it felt like there were interactions with secondary characters that added very little to the story. I understand the authors use of Japanese terms to stay true to the heritage but it did disconnect me from the story to have to continuously have to check the meaning for multiple words in the glossary in almost all chapters.
Overall it was an interesting story that gave insight into a complicated mother-daughter relationship that stems from generational trauma and life experiences.
March 5, 2025
Absolutely beautiful book that I would recommend to everyone, incredibly written and truly displays the nuances of familial relationships, especially those that are preempted with a lot of trauma. The differing perspectives as well as links to physical items is such a meaningful way to connect the timelines and experiences of these two characters. Very cathartic to see a book written purely about experiences and moments rather than having one character clearly be ‘bad’ and one ‘good’.
Again, 10/10 from me, especially recommend this book to anyone with a family member/parent that has been through a lot in their life and may not have always been kind.
Again, 10/10 from me, especially recommend this book to anyone with a family member/parent that has been through a lot in their life and may not have always been kind.
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