Review of “Goodnight, Tokyo” by Atsuhiro Yoshida
The Beauty of Coincidence and Connection
Overall Rating: 8/10
To be fully candid, I’m writing this brief review almost 3 months after finishing the book so some of the details are a little fuzzy to me. But, even still, I know I enjoyed it!
“Goodnight, Toyko” is a beautiful, twisting tale of how people’s lives are invariably and often unknowingly intertwined. Even in a city as large of Toyko, the community is still shockingly small and exemplifies the notion of “one degree removed”. Each character, at any point and time, may hold the piece of information or a perspective that could completely alter the life of another character. Each character is in search for something, or rather engaged in mysteries, both in the personal and professional life. Mitsuki is a prop procurer for a film studio, constantly on the hunt for rare and niche objects while simultaneously untangling perplexing feelings for her soon-to-be fiancé and searching for connection. Matsui, the cab driver, is in a constant state of finding in a professional sense: finding patrons, delivering them to their destinations. They are, in a sense, a mini-mystery. Matsui often speaks with patrons and internally seems to try to work out who they are and why they are going where they are going. In his personal life, he grapples with someone he lost touch with at a cafe. Moreover, just like Mitsuki, turning over the idea of seeking connection again. This theme holds true for each character: Kanako, the advice hotline operator with a missing brother; Shuro, the famous private detective inspiring films, seeking films of a father he never knew. And still more characters engaged in unraveling the strange mysteries of life, finding meaning where they can, and find connections with others or with themselves.
The key take away from “Goodnight, Toyko” is the beauty of coincidence and the value of human connection in an ever-growing and ever-digitizing world. Even in a city as large and vast as Toyko, a life-altering encounter or connection could happen if you just allow yourself to go into the world. It’s a beautiful book and a quick read, zipping all across the city of Toyko without feeling lost in its urban sprawl.
