Maxwell's Reviews > Mina's Matchbox

You know when you do a deep clean of your bedroom and find random objects from years ago, even as far back as childhood, that immediately put you back in that time and place? And in some ways you are wistful for that period of your life, but also kind of sad because you realize how long ago it was and that so much has changed since then? That's the vibe that this book brings to the table.

The story is recounted to us by Tomoko nearly three decades later as she reflects on her experiences. She views various photographs and objects that call up memories and she pieces it together for us in a simple but moving narrative.

In 1972, 12-year-old Tomoko is sent to live with her aunt's family for a year while her single mother completes an education course to pursue a better career. Tomoko moves a few hours away to a palatial home filled with antique furniture, books and even a pygmy hippopotamus; a stark contrast to her humble life with her mother. Populating the house are: her aunt (her mother's sister), her handsome uncle who is the president of a soft drink company, Yoneda-san who manages the home, Kobayashi-san the groundskeeper, her great aunt Rosa, and her sickly cousin Mina—and of course Pochiko, the previously mentioned hippo.

There's nothing super dramatic or showy about this book. Once Tomoko arrived at the house, I kept waiting for something big to happen to kick off the narrative, but then realized the story itself was the big thing. For Tomoko, everything she's experiencing is new and exciting, and you begin to feel that novelty with her. Something as seemingly small as getting a library card in a new city she will only live in for a year feels like one of her first mature, adult experiences. Getting professionally tailored clothes for her new school uniform makes her feel sophisticated and out of place at the same time. As her bond with Mina grows, she begins to see the subtle and special ways that bonds between people, observed in various relationships around her, make a strong impact.

I thought the entire cast of characters was compelling and well established in the narrative. You don't always get the full picture of them since we only know as much as Tomoko knows (in both 1972 and the present as she narrates). Just like life, especially from a child's perspective, you sometimes only see the tip of the iceberg, but as you grow up you can begin to discover what's under the surface, or at least make assumptions that alter your perception of previously held beliefs. But what's most impactful is Tomoko's specific connections to each character over the course of the year she's staying with her family. The pieces of them we get to see through her are profound and beautiful because of their singularity.

I would also like to call out, especially, the translation by Stephen Snyder. He's once again done an excellent job, from what I can tell, translating not just the words but the emotions in between the lines. Thanks to the publisher for an early review copy!