Days at the Morisaki Bookshop

Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses abortion and child loss.

“[W]hen I finally regained my presence of mind, I felt a sudden wave of grief come over me. Far more than anger, I felt grief. A grief that was so violent, so intensely palpable, that I felt like I could reach out and touch it.”

In the aftermath of Hideaki’s betrayal, Takako feels a rush of intense emotions that change the trajectory of her life. In this passage, the grief she feels is described as a wave, demonstrating the severity and power of her emotions. By evoking the image of a crashing wave, Satoshi Yagisawa makes the emotion palpable.

“In the instant I answered, my middle-aged companion transformed into a demon. His eyes lit up as he glared at me.”

Sabu is a secondary character in Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, and his fervent love of reading defines him and his interactions with the employees of the bookshop. When Takako tells him that she does not read, he grows angry and is described as turning into a demon. This description demonstrates not only his anger, but his passion for reading, which introduces the idea of literature’s importance into the novel.

“It felt so peaceful there. The interior was lit by soft lanterns. Gentle piano music was playing. The blackened brick wall was covered with doodles and graffiti from past customers. All of it fit together beautifully and matched the warm, soothing ambience of the coffee shop. It’s so nice here, I thought. For the first time in a long time, I felt joy well up inside me. And I felt a little bit better, a little less tired.”

For a long while after her breakup with Hideaki, Takako struggles to emerge from her depression. When she enters Saveur, she is introduced to a new atmosphere that is at odds with her personal feelings. While she feels isolated and cold, the coffee shop is inviting and warm. This contrast in settings results in her feeling joy.