I assumed this novel was an affectionate story of a wandering dog, bringing friendship and reunion to people on his travels. However, this unsentimental story of the odds of survival faced by a lone dog is based in an almost gritty reality.
The dog Tamon is first found in Northern Japan after the triple disasters of an earthquake, tsunami, and the resulting fires around Fukushima - his owner unknown. There must have been many animals left to fend for themselves. Tamon meets five different people over the next five years as he makes his way, his nose always pointing South.
A driver for a gang of theives finds him malnourished in a convenience store parking lot, and brings Tamon along as guardian angel. After a massive accident, Tamon leaves with 'Miguel', one of the thieves. 'Miguel' literally grew up in a garbage dump, after his parents were shot, the only way out was theft or prostitution. He heads West towards Niigata in an attempt to leave Japan, the Yakuza close behind. A year later, a man finds Tamon while on a run in the mountains near Toyama. Emaciated, he needs vet care and they discover a microchip, but cannot find the owner. A prostitute finds Tamon another year later, again mangy, dirty, covered in blood, and nurses him back to health. Her gambler boyfriend owes her escort agency and has taken off with all her money. Now, she must pay the demand. An old hunter finds Tamon in the woods and brings him home. His wife passed from cancer and now he has it, his estranged daughter encouraging him to take treatment. Tamon and the hunter venture into the woods again to help the town get rid of an over-eager bear. A couple in Kyushu find Tamon and bring him home to their son, traumatized into muteness by the Fukushima tsunami where they used to live. He bonds with Tamon and the two become inseparable. But the southern island of Japan is not immune to earthquakes either.
Tamon is a sturdy German shepherd and Japanese breed mix. Although no original owner can be found, we do get a resolution on that, and there is a light at the end - along with a little heartbreak. This is about the bond between humans and dogs, but if you are looking for a smooth ride, this is not the book. Unusually, no one has it easy on this journey.
There have been several bestselling Japanese novels lately featuring peoples friendship with dogs and cats (The Travelling Cat Chronicles). This darker tone was surprising, tragedy lingers in the air for everyone, and I'm not sure a dog-loving audience would find it uplifting.
This bestseller has been filmed in Japan, releasing March 2025.
2020 (translated 2022) / Hardcover / 311 pages
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