คำจากลาของคิมหันต์ ณ ปลายอุโมงค์

by Mei Hachimoku

“รู้จักอุโมงค์ ‘อุระชิมะ’ รึเปล่า? ถ้าเข้าไปในนั้นเราจะได้ทุกอย่างที่ต้องการ แต่สิ่งแลกเปลี่ยนก็คือ อายุเราจะเพิ่มมากขึ้น...”

ตำนานท้องถิ่นเรื่องนั้นลอยเข้าหูโทโนะ คาโอรุ นักเรียนมัธยมปลาย เขาบังเอิญค้นพบอุโมงค์ที่มีลักษณะคล้ายอุโมงค์ดังกล่าวในค่ำคืนวันที่ได้ยินเรื่องราวนั้น... หากเข้าไปในอุโมงค์แห่งนี้ อาจพาตัวน้องสาวที่เสียชีวิตไปเมื่อ 5 ปีก่อนกลับคืนมาได้ หลังเลิกเรียนคาโอรุเริ่มพิสูจน์อุโมงค์ตามลำพัง แต่โดนฮานาชิโระ อันซุ นักเรียนที่เพิ่งย้ายมาใหม่มาเจอเข้า ทั้งสองคน ตกลงร่วมมือกันเพื่อให้ได้ในสิ่งที่ต่างฝ่ายต่างต้องการ ทว่า...

ฤดูร้อนที่เต็มไปด้วยเรื่องน่าพิศวงซึ่งไม่เคยมีผู้ใดพบเจอมาก่อนกำลังจะเริ่มต้นขึ้น ณ บัดนี้

Genres: Light Novel, Manga, Romance, Fantasy, Fiction, Japanese Literature, Young Adult

356 pages, Paperback

First published July 18, 2019

Reviews

[Bobby Underwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a wonderful story here, with some tender and emotional things to impart which appear to be made for a Japanese light novel, but that’s where the disappointment ensues. The dialog can be cheesy and awkward, and the writing of the characters wildly inconsistent. Since it’s about two Japanese youngsters with considerable baggage discovering a supernatural tunnel, you’d expect it to be child-like, not child-ish. Yet it waffles between the two. A lot.

This was the author’s first attempt apparently at a Japanese light novel, and it garnered fame because of the anime adaptation, but it was perhaps too soon for this writer to have a go at it. I suspect this might come off much better in its Manga form, but as a straight novel, even aimed at young adults, it really comes up short. The male is written as passive and somewhat effeminate (it’s commented on in the narrative itself) and the girl is written with male characteristics (temper, fighting, attitude). Of course this is simply the surface, and there are reasons for some of it, but even those come off inconsistent throughout the narrative.

I absolutely loved this author’s Wait For Me Yesterday in Spring, which I found to be a true gem. It wasn’t perfect, but it was wonderful. That Japanese light novel from this writer is far better executed and much more involving. I loved Wait For Me Yesterday in Spring enough that I’ll no doubt read it again at some point, but I can only give the more famous Tunnel to Summer a soft recommendation. It’s simply all over the place in its characterization and dialog and plot. It’s probably okay for kids, which is why I’m being generous at three stars, but it’s less likely that an adult who enjoys a good Japanese light novel for young adults will love it. They’re more likely to find it a bit frustrating. Sadly, this was a great idea for a story tackled before the writer was up to the task.

[huna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this story is really simple but it got me in tears, I didn't expect that it will turn out like that 😭😭

"sometimes we're too attached to the things we've lost that we forget to live our lives."

[Emiliya Bozhilova · Rating 3 out of 5]

За да понесем реалността, често имаме нужда от силни дози магия. Или от капсула на времето, която да ни приюти за малко, и когато я напуснем, времето да е текло само навън, а ние сме били пощадени, за да имаме време да се подготвим… За разбито семейство, за загуба, за самота, за несигурност и тормоз…

Меи Хачимоку среща двама самотни тинейджъри и им дава техния магически тунел и избора колко от него да извървят, за да сбъднат свое желание, замразявайки хода на времето. (Само дето времето винаги постига своето и никакви тунели не могат да му попречат). По японски обрана, съчувствена книга за товара на порастването, когато крилете са още неукрепнали.

Малко бавничко ми дойде до последната третина. Като манга или аниме историята би била чудесна.

[Iva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Не знам какво да кажа за тази книжка. Знам само, че докосва по онзи японски начин, по който само аз си знам и усещам!
Защото точно това ми харесва - всичките чувства и емоции, които направо те задушават вътрешно и в същият момент се изливат от теб, но си длъжен да не ги споделяш, за да не засегнеш другият - това е японската литература за мен! Страх от това да споделиш какво мислиш и чувстваш! А всъщност се бориш с екзистенциалните въпроси за живота като всеки човек, който го е страх да сподели.
Книжката е и за загубата на любим човек; за родител, който изоставя детето си; за порастването, от което всички се страхуват (дори зрелите хора); за изборите в живота.

"Смъртта, в крайна сметка, идва за всички нас и ние просто трябва да го приемем, за да се справяме някак с живота, докато накрая сами не се изправим пред нея. Все пак не е като да можеш да държиш смъртта надалеч, като отричаш факта, че си смъртен. След като си отидеш, всички следи от това, че някога си бил жив, бавно ще изчезнат и ще бъдат затрупани от пясъците на времето."


"В крайна сметка бъдещето на никого не е сигурно. Всички ние просто бягаме безцелно, лутаме се в мрака, докато времето и смъртта бавно ни настигнат...
...Единственото, което можем да направим, е да продължим напред, да се държим за вярата, че един ден ще стигнем там, накъдето сме тръгнали, преди светът да ни отнеме тази вяра. Преди светът да ни извади от себе си."

P.S. Излишно е да казвам, че корицата е вълшебно красива! 💙

[Devon Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to rate this five stars, but the end was just a little too trite for my tastes. Up until the last chapter or so this book was very intriguing and had me in a choke hold of “I need to finish this and see what happens”….and then, like often is the case with books this interesting, it sort of fizzled.

Did I still enjoy it? Yes! It was like reading an anime with all the tropes and stuff that I love…but it was also a little cringey at times (maybe translation was off?) because weird slang terms would be used or the dialogue would be really corny for a minute.

But then there were parts that were just beautiful and very nearly poetic.

So, I am torn. I liked it a lot, but I didn’t love it.

[David Bulgarelli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked this up after seeing a preview for the upcoming movie and liking the look of it. A good premise from which to explore the themes of grief, guilt, and personal acceptance, but is held back by its execution. Hampered by character writing that is inconsistent and at times ridiculous.

I can see where a good screenwriter and director could make a pretty good movie out of this.

[Стефани Витанова · Rating 5 out of 5]

,,Да, знаех, че това алчно решение напълно реално можеше да разбие сърцето ми. Както се казва, ловец, който гони два заека едновременно, не хваща нито един. Но ако чувстваш, че нямаш друг избор, освен да гониш и двата заека, ако просто нямаш друг избор, тогава трябва да се научиш да гониш и двата.”

На първи прочит, това е история за смъртта, за загубата на близък, за дисфункционалните семейства, за насилието в училище. Разказ за един тунел - Тунелът „Урашима”, който ще ти изпълни желание, но в замяна ще ти вземе години.
Но ако се вгледаш по-дълбоко, ще си дадеш сметка, че това е роман за онези заметени и премълчани истини, които всички отричаме, защото безумно много ни плашат. Истината, че ,,в много семейства именно децата държат родителите заедно”. Простичкият, но безумно тъжен факт, че често насилието може да се спре единствено с насрещно насилие. Губим много повече години в самосъжаление и опити да се възстановим след стари травми, отколкото в борба за личното си щастие. И вероятно най-болезненото осъзнаване - няма такава любов, която да задържи родител при детето му, ако той е решил да си тръгне от него. Тръгналият си родител никога не се връща. Изоставеното дете спира да бъде дете.

Но понякога, ако имаш повече късмет, в живота ти се появяват хора, които притежават способността да те върнат към себе си. Хора, които се превръщат в ,,единствено ти убежище” и карат ,,демоните в теб да млъкнат”. И точно това са хората, с които си струва да тичаш през мрака. Да се простиш с болката, да приемеш, че миналото е такова, каквото е и родителите понякога са просто хора, временно пребивавали в живота ти.

[Apothecary · Rating 3 out of 5]

ชนบท นักเรียนม.ต้น รางรถไฟ และเสียงจักจั่น

นี่มัน setting อันลือลั่นของไลท์โนเวลแนว coming of age นี่นา !

ต้องบอกว่าเรามีโอกาสได้หยิบเล่มนี้มาอ่านในวันที่เค้าประกาศจะดัดแปลงเรื่องนี้เป็นหนังพอดี ในความทรงจำก็อาจจะมีบางส่วนทาบทับกับ Your Name อยู่บ้างในแง่ของ setting และธีมแนวไซไฟที่เกี่ยวกับเวลา

ระหว่างที่อ่านก็มีภาพหลั่งไหลเข้ามาในหัวเต็มไปหมด เรียกว่าเป็นเฟรมแอนิเมชั่นเลยล่ะ อ่ะ แถมเพลงประกอบให้ด้วย (เพลง Radwimps ดังขึ้นในซีนที่พีคที่สุดของเรื่อง เอ๊ะ คุ้น ๆ นะเนี่ย 555) ถึงตอนนั้นก็เพิ่งรำลึกอะไรบางอย่างได้ว่า "เห้ย เรื่องนี้มันมี material ที่เหมาะกับการทำหนังมากเลยนะเนี่ย ถ้าทำดี ๆ น่าจะขยี้ได้สุดกว่าในไลท์โนเวล" และใช่นั่นเป็นหนึ่งเหตุผลที่ทำให้เราไม่ได้อินกับเรื่องนี้มากเท่าที่ควร ทั้ง ๆ ที่ก็ connect กับเมสเสจของเรื่อง นั่นคงเป็นเพราะการบรรยายที่จำกัดของนิยายแนวไลท์โนเวลด้วย

แต่ทั้งนี้ทั้งนั้นก็เป็นไลท์โนเวลที่อ่านเพลินอีกเรื่อง อยู่กลาง ๆ ไม่ได้เอนเอียงไปในทางใดทางนึงมากเป็นพิเศษ ไม่ได้ดราม่าจัดจนน้ำตาไหล หรือ feel good จนต้องกำหมัดแล้วแหงนหน้าขึ้นมองท้องฟ้า

[kutingtin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sold and at this point will read anything by Mei Hachimoku💗

I am so thirsty for more light novels right now that I just might go to Mitsukoshi and try my luck🤞🏻

See me yesterday in Spring was special but The tunnel to Summer made me cry harder (again in the cafe) 🥲 I still love both of them equally.

This for me is a good, solid novel that I would love to be made into a beautiful movie. Both light novels hopefully 🎥

Just like the Urashima effect- this book sucked me right in, turning every page without even noticing how much time has flown me by.

It’s very rare for a story itself to have the capacity to slow the flow of time for a reader, even as the outside world continues to speed on by.

The Tunnel to summer has a compelling narrative with magnetic characters in a world both real and magical. It is hope, love and magic all in one book✨

[David Wen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Analysis/Review of Light Novel: Natsu e no Tunnel, Sayonara no Deguchi (The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes) by Mei Hachimoku

Link: https://myanimelist.net/manga/138406/...

Does the overwhelming feeling of grief rob one’s capacity to love, leaving behind a hollow and vacuous existence?

Natsu e no tunnel, sayonara no deguchi tells a melancholic, heartfelt, and bittersweet tale filled with angst, anxiety, and romance. The protagonist, Kaoru Touno, lives in a hopeless family situation after losing his little sister Karen at a young age. Plagued by guilt and bitterness that stems from the circumstances surrounding his sister's death, Kaoru simply exists without much regard for his own life and dignity. However, his chance encounter with a girl, Anzu Hanashiro, who seems unfazed by adversity leads to a blossoming romance and their individual journeys towards achieving their goals.

In the town of Kozaki, where the story takes place, there is a mythical "Urashima Tunnel" that is said to grant wishes to those who enter, at the cost of their lifespan. However, the reality is that time moves differently inside the tunnel, slowing down and allowing the world to pass by. Spending two days in the tunnel equates to eight years in the real world, but the person inside only feels the passage of two days. Furthermore, unbeknownst to Kaoru, instead of granting wishes, the tunnel returns what has been lost.

The narrative touches on multiple profound themes that warrants a comprehensive analysis - grief, guilt, resentment, hollowness, trauma, insecurity, longing, anxiety, perseverance, and love.

Grief: Kaoru's family was plunged into a completely pervasive downward spiral after the death of his sister. His mother abandoned them, leaving his father to become an abusive alcoholic, a mere shadow of his once benevolent and nurturing self. Our protagonist, Kaoru, who was particularly close to Karen, shouldered the weight of her death and internalized the belief that he was personally responsible for her demise due to his presence at the time of her fall. Each character in his family coped with grief in their own deleterious manner, with some electing to abandon them (mother), some succumbing to its engulfing power (father), and some merely losing the ability to derive enjoyment from life, seemingly anhedonic (Kaoru).

Guilt: Display of Kaoru's guilt manifests itself throughout the story, but becomes apparent when he is confronted with the sister that the mythical tunnel bestowed upon him. He articulates his feelings as though he does not deserve the right to love another person (alluding to Anzu, the female MC). To which Karen writes him a "Love Permit", a symbolic representation of the very person who inadvertently deprived his ability to love, returning it back to him. By directly confronting his late sister, he was able to deal with his grief and physically (as well as metaphorically) move on from the shadow cast by her passing.

Resentment: Flashbacks reveal that Karen was an emotionally intelligent child who would cry and ask to go to the aquarium when her parents were arguing, in an attempt to get them to reconcile. As if she were the glue holding them down, Kaoru's dysfunctional family completely collapsed when the sister passed away. As the father, not only was he not there to emotionally support his vulnerable son, he practically abused Kaoru. This dynamic caused Kaoru to journey into the tunnel with absolutely no regard for his father, demonstrating his deep-seated resentment. When Kaoru unexpectedly ran into his mother during the festival, he was overcome with panic, anxiety, and was on the verge of collapsing and throwing up. Fortunately, Anzu was there for Kaoru to lean on, acting as a much needed beacon of light in his life. Despite the happy ending for Kaoru and Anzu, neither parents have made the effort to repair the relationships they have with their son and chose to pursue their own happiness, leaving the resentment unresolved.

Hollowness: the concept of a tunnel that leaves everything one loves and cares about behind is a frightening thing for anyone. For Kaoru to take that journey without a second of lingering thought is proof of his hollowness in his heart that can only be fulfilled by seeking the sister he lost. As someone who has experienced difficult periods in life but was able to hold on due to the support of loved ones, I can empathize with Kaoru's desire to abandon everything in search of what he desires most. However, the key difference is that Kaoru believed he had nothing left to lose until he came to terms with his love for Anzu, who had been waiting for him on the other side of the tunnel for a grueling five years.

Trauma: Let's shift gears and talk about the female MC, Anzu Hanashiro, who was essentially abandoned by her parents, the very same people who extinguished her childhood dream of becoming a manga author during her formative years. Nevertheless, in stark contrast to Kaoru, she harnessed her traumatic experiences to bolster her determination instead of succumbing to despondency (although it should be noted that their circumstances are worlds apart). The divergent responses to trauma between these two characters led to a poignant and emotive narrative within this novel.

Insecurity: The third character, Kawasaki, is a girl who, in her attempts to mask her own insecurities, bullies and intimidates others. Her sense of self-worth is fundamentally linked to her relationships with others. When she was humiliated in front of everyone, she lost all her friends. Initially I despised her character, but after the conversation she had with Anzu, Kawasaki expressed her admiration for Anzu and voiced her desire to be more like her. Although the focus on Kawasaki was brief, I felt her character arc to be believable. Her inclination to feel superior over her peers as a coping mechanism for her personal insecurities is indicative that toxicity may arise from factors beyond family issues (her mother is shown to be a very understanding person) or trauma (unexplored), but rather, social hierarchies and a small, insular community may mold an individual's character.

Longing & Anxiety: I have put these two intimately connected themes together in the same paragraph. Both Kaoru and Anzu exemplified their respective themes of longing and anxiety during the final act of the story. Kaoru's decision to abandon his previous life and undertake a perilous journey to locate his sister, despite the absence of any guarantees of success, embodies his longing for the life he once knew, in which his sister was still alive. His journey in the tunnel hit me especially hard because for many people like myself, it is evocative of the motivating power of having a singular goal. Kaoru had no idea where the tunnel would lead, but that did not stop him from reaching his goal. Although he did not succeed in retrieving his sister, he discovered something that he was unaware he longed for - the capacity for love. Meanwhile, almost parallel to Kaoru's journey, Anzu waited for his return outside the tunnel. In the 5 long years, she forged a successful career as a manga author. Despite her achievements, her mind remained fixated on Kaoru, and her emotions were consumed by longing and anxiety. Even after five years had passed, she remained steadfast in her hope that Kaoru would one day return, her anxiousness and apprehension holding her back from departing Kozaki town. She did not know where he was, when he would return, or if he returned but left without a word.

Perseverance: The main characters in the novel showcased a profound sense of perseverance, each pursuing their individual goals with unwavering tenacity. However, almost as if wielded by fate, their desire for each other acted as an unyielding force that compelled them to find one another, ultimately leading them to a long-awaited reunion deep within the tunnel, a massively rewarding payoff. As a reader, seeing them act individually was heartwarming to see, but seeing two characters that I've grown to love as a pair be separate from each other was excruciating. The moment when they finally saw each other overwhelmed me with emotions, reminiscent of the climatic scene in the film “Kimi no Na Wa”.

Love: The center theme of the story. This novel explored different avenues regarding love. The familial love between Kaoru and his sister, the love lost between Kaoru and his parents, the platonic love between Anzu and Kawasaki, and of course, the romantic love between Kaoru and Anzu. Throughout the novel, while Kaoru was aware of Anzu's feelings and reciprocated them, he believed that he did not deserve the right to love another person, having lost his family to tragedy. It was only after confronting his grief and trauma, and reuniting with his sister within the tunnel, that he was able to move past the shadow of her death and wholeheartedly dedicate himself to the one he loved - Anzu.

Personal thoughts:The exploration of romantic love has been a recurring theme in various media formats, yet Natsu e no Tunnel stands out as one of the few works that weaves it in with the themes of grief, creating a beautiful harmony between two contrasting emotions. The depth and complexity of the narrative in this light novel left a lasting impact on me, as it portrayed the exploration of various themes with finesse and grace. Readers seeking a story that is both emotionally charged and uplifting will find Natsu e no Tunnel a compelling read.

Tunnel e no Natsu, Sayonara no Deguchi, a six-chapter short story spanning 300 pages, defies the "light" novel label, delving into the heavy topics that can profoundly resonate with certain readers. This story moved me deeply, as the compelling characters' likability and the engaging plot heightened the tension and anxiety, particularly in the sci-fi setting that imbued me with both hope and dread. The characters' growth, personal struggles, hardships, and love story are all fascinating tales in their own right, culminating in an emotionally satisfying resolution that made me root for them despite their brief appearance.

“So please, Hanashiro, don’t let this opportunity go to waste. Live your life while you can, because tomorrow’s never a given. Especially when you have a chance to be someone right here, today.

Go out there and live like you mean it. And no matter what you do, don’t ever end up like me.” - Kaoru Touno, after he entered the Urashima Tunnel alone.

This is the longest review I've ever written for a novel, so if you have read the entire thing, Thank you.

[Daniel Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I've always wanted to write a good, solid novel." - Mei Hachimoku

This quote, taken from the afterword of Mei Hachimoku's "The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes" adequately summarizes how I view this particular work. As the author's debut work, it's a very solid piece with an interesting premise and likeable characters. The supernatural element is not inherently unique on its own but it is done well enough to support the themes of the story. One could describe it as being reminiscent of Shinkai Makoto's works.

More than being about the supernatural, this novel focuses more heavily on themes of loss, acceptance, identity, and legacy. All of these are well explored throughout each character's development. I cannot further discuss this without spoilers, but one should consider the themes that the author has chosen to write about when reading this novel. Though they may not be unique, they are compelling within the narrative of the story and are significant ideas to apply to the real world.

The novel also does a good job of emphasizing the fact that blindly chasing a goal is not, as some people view it, always a good thing. The protagonist's stubborn refusal to let go of his past is something that does bring about consequences by the end of the story. While the repercussions of his actions are not as grim or heavy as one may expect, this is not a story where the characters emerge completely unpunished.

"The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes" is not a story that will be forever remembered as a classic. On its own, I don't think that it will have the staying power to remain on the public's conscience for a long time. That said, Mei Hachimoku never set out to write such a story. As the author's debut work, this novel is excellent and is deserving of an adaptation. It certainly isn't perfect but that's okay. In the closing act of the novel, there is a message that reads "But maybe the name Anzu Hanashiro doesn't have to mean something to each and every person who ever lives. Maybe it could be enough for it to mean the world to just one". Like the character, Anzu Hanashiro, this novel may not ever reach a broad audience. Perhaps its legacy will only ever live on in the memories of a niche audience. Even so it sure as hell is a good, solid novel.

[Chelsea Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 Stars: ‘The Tunnel to Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes’ by Mei Hachimoku.
→ Age Range: Young Adult.
→ Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction.
→ Book Type: Light Novel.

Favourite Quote: ‘Live your life while you can, because tomorrow’s never a given.’

In-depth Rating:
→ Plot: ★★★
→ Character Development: ★★★★
→ Setting: ★★★★
→ Entertainment Level: ★★★★★
→ Writing: ★★★★★
→ Pace: Medium.

Translation: Yes.
→ Language: Japanese.
→ Translator: Evan Ward.

Time Read: Nine Days.
→ Audiobook: No.
→ Audiobook Narrator: -

Trigger Warnings:
→ Abandonment.
→ Abuse (Physical, Emotional and Child).
→ Bullying.
→ Death (Child).
→ Grief.

[Riri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.5⭐

In the afterword, the author said they've always wanted to write a good, solid novel, and that's exactly what this book is. It's a good, solid, atmospheric standalone that feels like summer.

Tono Kaoru lost her little sister, Karen, in an accident five years ago. His family fell apart at the seams after her death, and he's been living in guilt ever since. So when he stumbles upon the Urashima Tunnel, rumored to have the ability to grant your wish, he decides to investigate in the hope of bringing Karen back. Soon he is joined by Hanashiro Anzu, a transfer student from Tokyo with a wish of her own, and they spend their summer trying to work around the time-bending nature of the tunnel.

While the story revolves around high school students and deals with problems that would be relatable to teenagers, it also shows tremendous growth for a lot of the characters. Mainly Kaoru and Anzu, but also Koharu who evolves into an entirely different person by the end of the book. It does a really good job delving into their personal issues, as well as working out a way for them to move past their problems. The way Kaoru's emotions are portrayed is especially well done, and the book manages to maintain its focus on him and Anzu as the leads. The romance comes naturally, with a bittersweet undertone to it that doesn't only suit the fleeting and nostalgic season of summer, but also adolescence.

The only thing I didn't quite like about it is the translation, sadly. It's not bad. It just feels a bit too Americanized for my tastes. That's why I have to take off half a star instead of giving full score, but other than that, it's amazing. Can totally see why they adapted this into a movie.

[EP · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet and simple, truly a simple story, simple writing, but I think of natsume soseki in kusamakura: “The haiku is the simplest and handiest form of poetry…that's no reason to disparage the haiku… I believe that the simpler a thing is, the greater is its virtue, and thus the haiku should rather be revered.”

While a light novel and no haiku, I take pleasure in such a simple work. When I simple I don’t mean no depth. Themes of memory, understanding grief and loss, accepting the past to live truly and freely, acceptance of self swirl about the text, but it wasn’t some grand complex drama, just well written story if that makes sense!

Anyhow enough of my rambling I am still flustered with how much I enjoyed this, so here are three quotes I loved from the text:

“We stood there like that for a while, her holding me down as I took shelter from the storm in the comfort of her existence, my only source of warmth in the entire vacuum of space. I don’t know how long it lasted, could have been five seconds, could have been a full minute…the embarrassment had gone, and in its place came a sense of newfound security and belonging. Like maybe there was a place for me in this world after all.”

“But maybe the name Anzu Hanashiro doesn't have to mean something to each and every person who ever
lives.
Maybe it could be enough for it to mean the
world to just one.”

“Don't go out hunting for supernatural shortcuts or a tragic backstory that'll earn you fast notoriety or cheap sympathy. You've gotta buckle down and put in the work to climb that ladder like everyone else. I know you hate doing things the normal way, but I can promise the view from the top will be that much sweeter when you feel like you've truly earned it.
And you will reach the top. I know you will.”

[Mathou · Rating 3 out of 5]

The price to pay

This is a good novel that we have in our hands.
The story is about a young boy who lost his little sister in an accident. He thinks he is guilty and since this event, his mother has left home and his father refuses to see him as his son.
One morning, however, this young man hears some students talking about a strange tunnel.
It seems that this tunnel can grant the wish of the person who ventures into it. Of course, the tunnel takes something in return: years of life.
So, with a friend, the young man decides to unravel the mystery of the tunnel, to understand how it works and to be able to make his wish come true: to bring back his little sister.
This is a very good book that talks about many subjects such as love, friendship, blood ties, but also mourning and sacrifices. The message at the end of the novel is very interesting and thought-provoking.
The only thing I will add is that unfortunately, I did not dive into this book. I liked the story, but without getting attached to the character, I liked the ending, without feeling the need to know what was going to happen...
A good book, but not one that you dive into.

[Tùng Trần · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5
The more you long for the past, the more it will take your lifespan away. Accept what has gone is gone, set your sight forward and start moving.

The book has a good setting, and it interests me to keep on reading. The characters are nice too, with some typical tropes that you normally see in anime and manga, but they are not that bad or cringe-worthy. That said, I have a feeling that the author just didn't know how to really end the story, and thus the conclusion feels very lackluster to me, especially after all of the build-up in previous chapters.

All in all, this is a book that can definitely hook you up to its story, it's just that it doesn't know how to truly put on a finale. If you're into the Slice of Life genre with some mystical elements, give this one a try.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t stress enough how much I loved this book! The writing, as usual, was beautiful and the characters felt well developed. The premise was simple, but that didn’t take away anything from its enjoyability. I teared up a lot of times and it also had me giggling like a middle school girl watching edits of her favorite author. It was certainly a wonderful ride.

I really think this author deserves more praise for the work they do, and I can’t wait for their other books to be translated.

[Dragonflyguy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story about personal growth and acceptance.

[D E N Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!!

What if you have the chance to get what you've always wanted but in return it takes away years of your lifespan, will you still ask for it?

This was the central question throughout Hachimoku's debut novel "The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes". But, in all honesty, it actually goes way way waaaaay deeper than that. This novel is all about retrieving what we thought we lost. And I honestly believe Hachimoku did a good job writing it.

I think they were able to give the characters a lot of depth in just 300+ pages and I honestly couldn't bring myself to put the novel down because I'm always excited to see what happens next. In particular, the climax of this novel made me tear up a bit because of how greatly written it was. The only reason why I'm giving this 4.5 stars is because for some people, especially if you're impatient, you really need to continue reading it until the climax to appreciate the story. Although to be honest for me, I did not feel bored with this because I believe Hachimoku did a good job of making us excited for the climax by revealing bits and pieces of the story that all leads to an amazing and great climax.

So glad and honored to have this as my first (actual) novel of the year and hopefully I can read more of Hachimoku's works in the future! Arigato gozaimas Mei Hachimoku!!

Sidenote: I also love love love Kukka-sensei's art here! I truly wish we could've seen more from it uwu

[Lina | bluenight.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Тунелът към лятото, изходът от сбогуванията“ от Меи Хачимоку е от онези книги, които оставят следа у теб за много дълго време.
Всичко започва с една интригуваща градска легенда, но бързо се превръща в нещо много по-дълбоко и емоционално.

Каору Тоно е един от онези герои, които остават в мислите ти още от първите страници и които истински харесваш. Образът му е толкова добър, раним и човечен, а отношенията му с Андзу – новото момиче в класа – се изграждат с такава искреност и деликатност. Истински ме развълнуваха!

Докато четях книгата, изпитах много емоции – съчувствие, тъга, надежда, вълнение, щастие.
„Тунелът към лятото, изходът от сбогуванията“ е многопластова история – за болката от загубата и нуждата да продължиш напред, но и за значението на изборите, които правим, както и за силата, която ни дава истинската подкрепа на правилния човек.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Я поражена этим ранобэ и хочу прочитать остальные части! Мне очень понравилась идея с частями в виде разных сезонов. Читала я не отрываясь и закончила за два дня. Очень необычно написан слог но мне нравится. Читать было очень атмосферно и приятно. Любуюсь персонажи, их развитием и отношениями:) И хочу купить себе это ранобэ и остальные его части в коллекцию книг!

[Katja · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars.

[Rosi · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I make sure to return what i borrow"

*13 years later*

"I'm finally able to return it. With this, each of us can call it even, okay?"

[Emily Boobar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brother’s love for his sister. He missed his sister so much but found a new love in a friendship. The tunnel let him get a glimpse into what it would be like to still have his sister. But his new friendship made it where he could finally have closure in his past and move onto his future!

[Luci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This made me cry the ugliest so far. It's been so long since I've been completely attached to the protagonists. I can't wait to watch it soon!

[Manaswini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mei Hachimoku is such a talented writer

I loved reading this book so much, I couldn't put it down.

brb, i'll just go read everything else hes written :)

[Manga Consumer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciate how easy it was to get into the groove of this book. The word choice was immensely captivating, the world that was painted was so loveable, and the characters became my new best friends. Finally, a novel that wasn’t difficult to read and easily kept my attention. Well done!

[chris plummer · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good read

Could not put down. This is the first book in a long time that I could not put down. Any down time I had I wanted to know what happened next. Because of this book I realiazed that I like this genre of storytelling. Anyone who gets this will not be disappointed.

[kerrycat · Rating 5 out of 5]

so incredibly sad - I was relieved at the hopeful ending.
beautiful beautiful stuff here

[Juanita Luera-Briley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an amazing book! Not your typical reading material, for me at least. The attention to detail, but not too much, the characters and their development and how great it was the story started on track without too much side story...I absolutely love it.