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Quite different to the other Ogawa books I‘ve read, this was very sweet and whimsical and not very ‘challenging‘ or complicated at all.

Tomoko, aged 12, is sent to live in her Uncle‘s opulent mansion, where she makes friends with her cousin Mina who is one year younger and in delicate health.

It did read like a children‘s book at times and I loved it whilst reading it, but it‘s immediately gone out of my mind since I finished it.

Light & lovely coming-of-age story, Tomoko lives a year w/ wealthy extended family. Girlhood, crushes, friendship, fantasy. Strong trans. Stephen Snyder 2024
81 “If you wanted to describe Mina in a few words, you might say she was an asthmatic girl who loved books & rode a pygmy hippopotamus. But if you wanted to distinguish her from everyone else in the world, you‘d say that she was a girl who could strike a match more beautifully than anyone.”

so good. loved her book memory police as well. this book captures the complex feelings of being a young adult staying in a new city with extended family. the cast of characters are great. loved it! just good vibes.

A girl is sent to live with her wealthy extended family including cousin Mina and a tame Pygmy hippo. I enjoyed this story while listening, but it‘s not sticking at all and I really wished Ogawa had leaned into the quirk instead of giving just a little. I think it‘s worth reading but ultimately a bit forgettable. A low pick.

This was charming in an almost Wes Anderson way. I liked it but was never really into it - and I definitely feel like the blurb and cover promised me more hippo.

Starting this one on my lunch break!

This is an early book from this author. Totally enjoyable. Added bonus is a pet pygmy hippo living in the family's garden.

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US pub date is 8/13/24
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