All Of Us Strangers by Taichi Yamada

Taichi Yamada wrote Ijin-tachi to no Natsu in 1987; translated into english in 2003 as Strangers. With the release of a new film version starring Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal and Claire Foy, this has been republished under the film title, All Of Us Strangers. This novel won the prestigious Yamamoto Shuguro Prize.

As the original Japanese title (Summer With Great People) suggests, this is a wistful ghost story, a haunting study of grief.

TV writer Hideo spends so much time in his office, he begins to sleep in the building. His marriage has broken up, and his boss declares he is dating his ex-wife. The building faces a major Toyko highway that is always busy, and the dark facade with empty hallways looks bereft. There is another person living in an office on the third floor - Kei arrives one night at his door and introduces herself.

He wanders the Asakusa district, remembering where he lived as a child. His parents were killed in an accident there when he was 12. Oddly, he sees a man he recognizes, from the side he looks how he remembers his father, who was around 39 when he died. They go for a drink, ending up at the man's home, where Hideo sees his mother. They are indeed his parents, frozen in time at the age they died - but a thirty-year old couple could not possibly be the parents of a forty-eight year old man. A few times Hideo slips and calls the man 'Dad', which seems normal, exactly as if he was indeed his little boy. Over several meetings for beers and cards, they enjoy the chance to be a family again. A relationship with Kei begins, but she is distressed to see him more emaciated after each visit, although his reflection looks fine to himself. He explains the situation, and Kei convinces him it must stop. His parents agree it is not healthy. But there is more to this story, that as a reader I forgot about, leading to a satisfying twist of an ending.

This is a Japanese ghost story, the kind in which ancestors or spectres can appear as guiding forces or melencholy remembrances, free of malice and mischief - rather than the usual vengeful beings often portrayed. There is a wistful charm about revisiting the past, an acknowledgent and a thankfulness of where life has taken you. How powerful the draw of a parents unconditional love, and the chance to show them the success he has made. It is not unnoticed that this story takes place in late summer, when half of Tokyo goes home to the country for Bon Festival to greet the returning spirits of the dead.

On the surface, quite simple, but primes the reader to unearth all the memories around their own lost loved ones. Wouldn't it be nice to have one more visit.

The new film version - is a completely new story - only keeping a man who sees his parents. They have moved Tokyo to London, the relationship with the tenant from a woman to a man, and creates a new LGBTQ+ theme which over takes the story. Haunting, with exceptional acting, it is highly recommended. But, it is not the story in this novel.

1987 (translated 2003) / Tradeback / 201 pages