さいごの毛布

by Fumie Kondō

年老いた犬を飼い主の代わりに看取る「老犬ホーム」に勤めることになった智美。ホームでの出来事を通じ、苦手だった人付き合いや疎遠な家族との関係を改めて考え直し始める――。世知辛い世の中に光を灯す、心温まる成長物語。

Paperback Bunko

First published March 1, 2014

About the author

also known as:
Japaneses Profile: 近藤 史恵

Reviews

[Mochi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fumie Kondō is known for her mystery series but this is a standalone contemporary novel set at an old dogs' home. The main character is 25-yr old Tomomi, who has been struggling to get a job while living alone in Osaka because she feels that she has trouble relating to people. She is eventually introduced to the owner of an old dogs' home called Blanket and is immediately hired as a live-in carer out in the countryside in Takarazuka (Hyogo Prefecture). Tomomi has never had a dog before so she is unsure about starting her job there but she is taken under the wing of the other live-in carer, Midori, who is a friendly ex-vet nurse who teaches Tomomi the ropes. She settles into her new quiet life and gets to know the dogs there quickly.

Dogs feature highly in this enjoyable story but the main focus is really on the people - Tomomi's boss, Mayako, and Midori both have secrets and the mystery element surrounding these figures add quite a bit of tension, and the dogs each have their stories as well. Tomomi develops a bond with both characters and the dogs under her care and she finds herself connecting with her emotional side.

I found this on Kindle Unlimited (Amazon JP) and I'm so glad to have read it.
This book has lots of touching moments without being melodramatic.