I'm becoming hooked on the recent rash of novels translated from Japanese authors. They seem to follow the general pattern of chapters telling an individual's story which as the reader progresses through the book, reveal themselves to be interconnected, usually with a bit of magical realism thrown in. They're warm and comforting reads. The latest is Sonoko Machida's The Convenience Store By The Sea (#1,348) translated by Bruno Navasky.
In The Convenience Store the magic is provided by the store's young handsome manager. Charm oozes off him so that trying to check out an item when he is at the cash register is like trying to fight off a group of Swifties intent on scoring the latest album. But somehow, Shiba's fans never seem to mind the wait. His other employees keep the shop humming while observing the customers and trying to help out with their issues. This particular branch of the Tenderness Convenience Store is located not far from the waterfront in a picturesque seaside town. It has the added attraction of a separate dining room where customers can enjoy the seasonal offerings and beverages available at the store. They even have a daily bento box lunch special to accommodate the senior citizens who live on the floors above the store. It's a win-win for both and provides plenty of fodder for the stories.
It's utterly charming, but beware. The descriptions of the food available at this convenience store will make you wish you had a Tenderness nearby!
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