The Lantern of Lost Memories

 Book 39 of my 2025 Reading Challenge

read from April 20 - 24

The Lantern of Lost Memories by Sanaka Hiiragi

published 2019

Summary (via the book jacket)

This is the story of the peculiar and magical photo studio owned by Mr. Hirasaka, a collector of antique cameras. In the dimly lit interior, a paper background is pulled down in front of a wall, and in front of it stands a single, luxurious chair with an armrest on one side. On a stand is a large bellows camera. On the left is the main studio: photos can also be taken in the courtyard.

Beyond its straightforward interior, however, is a secret. The studio is, in fact, the door to the afterlife, the place between life and death where those who have departed have a chance - one last time - to see their entire life flash before their eyes via Mr. Hirasaka's "spinning lantern of memories".

We meet Hatsue, a ninety-two-year-old woman who worked as a nursery teacher, the rowdy Waniguchi, a yakuza overseer in his life who is also capable of great compassion, and finally Mitsuru, a young girl who has died tragically at the hands of abusive parents.

Sorting through the many photos of their lives, Mr. Hirasaka offers guests a second gift: a chance to travel back in time to take a photo of one particular moment in their lives that they wish to cherish in a special way.

Full of charm and whimsy, The Lantern of Lost Memories will sweep you away to a world of nostalgia, laughter, and love.

My Opinion

5 stars

Holy. Shit. What a read.

This small, delicate read was just exquisite. I'm typing this review with a lump in my throat as I'm recommending it to everyone in my family.  Although it looks like it took 4 days to read, I started it on the 20th, realized I would need a blank slate of time to read it all at once, and then had that time today.

I never reread books but not only do I want to read this again, I want to do so immediately.  I probably won't be able to recapture the feelings of the reveals along the way but I think there are things that would mean more now that I know what's happening.