Written by one of Japan's most acclaimed contemporary novelists, The Nakano Thrift Shop is a warm hearted look at the characters working in a Tokyo shop. I was excited to read this, but nothing really happens.
Hitomi is a young woman working at the shop owned by Mr. Nakano.
"These are not antiques. These are second-hand goods. That's what I sell here."
Nakano goes out to buy estate lots or household wares while Hitomi and Takeo, the other employee, run the shop. Sometimes they all go out to eat. Hitomi and Takeo almost have a romance. Various people come into the shop to sell items. Nakano's sister Masayo has an art show and makes tea for them. They begin to sell items online with some success. It's a portrait of life seen from the other side of the counter.
Despite Nakano having an adulterous affair, and Takeo drawing an imaginary nude picture of Hitomi, daily life selling thrift items is not that exciting. There isn't an event or problem to overcome. Life continues. Well written but boring by the halfway mark.
First published in 2005 under the title Furudogu Nakano Shoten
Translated 2017
2017 / Tradeback / 231 pages
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