“When three delinquents hole up in an abandoned general store after their most recent robbery, to their great surprise, a letter drops through the mail slot in the store's shutter. This seemingly simple request for advice sets the trio on a journey of discovery as, over the course of a single night, they step into the role of the kindhearted former shopkeeper who devoted his waning years to offering thoughtful counsel to his correspondents. Through the lens of time, they share insight with those seeking guidance, and by morning, none of their lives will ever be the same.” (Yen Press)
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Multiple award winner author Keigo Higashino has established himself as one of the most prominent names in mystery literature, having penned many successful series – such as “Detective Galileo” and “Police Detective Kaga”. However, his novel “The Miracles of the Naimya General Store” presents itself as a different type of mystery, removed from the detective stories that made his work notable. Instead, Higashino takes a look at the miraculous weaving of lives birthed through a kind gesture. Rippling through generations in a small town, Higashino's “The Miracles of the Naimya General Store” is a lush celebration of life which has earned the title deserved accolades.
Using the fantastical plot device of a store beyond time, existing in its own world, allows communication from the past to present (and vice versa). The story, roughly framed, focuses on three young juvenile delinquents that take on the role of giving stranger's advice, a tradition started decades earlier by the original shop owner. However, the narrative is explored far beyond the three boys' own experiences as the novel brilliantly weaves the lives of many born in a small town – its inhabitants drawn to the store out of desperation in need of answers to their problems.
Structurally, the book shifts narrative with both characters and era. However, the sci-fi elements in the book work as a plot device that bridges the hardships and successes of its varied cast. Consequently, each chapter puts the reader in different time periods with unique personas that ensures different experiences with work depending on the observers' own morality. From a desperate musician to a savvy business woman, there is a diverse cast both socially and economically. Essentially, the novel excels at drawing these connections and celebrating the importance of every positive action individuals choose to put out into the world, regardless of what society would see as their ‘worth'. Certainly, the characters are not faced with extreme diversity as the problems feel like they could befall anyone, yet, the importance in the joint human experience is beautifully immeasurable.
Understandably, this makes the work, at points, an emotional read as Keigo Higashino is able to discover profound beauty in the simplest gestures by showing how the choices cause a ripple effect. Gut wrenching when someone falls under the weight of their own responsibilities, the work exemplifies that any shortfall is never in vain. If anything it to be taken away from “The Miracles of the Namiya General Store”, it is a celebration of the human spirit and how we all play our roles towards a better society – even if we may not be aware of it.
The only qualm with the work, which will depend on the reader, comes from the closing story which acts to tie things together yet lacks the emotional sting of the previous chapters. Not quite anticlimactic, the ending just fails at capturing the emotions and wonderment of the previous chapter. In addition, the closing betrays some general rules of ‘time travel' which is a taboo that purists may take issue with. Regardless, a (subjectively) rocky conclusion does little to deter from the fruitful overarching narrative and inspirational observations.
Capturing the hearts of the masses, “The Miracles of the Namiya General Store” is a stand-out piece of modern literature that feels distinct to the Japanese sentiment of placing communal harmony in high esteem. Overall the work is deeply contemplative, wonderfully woven and resonates kindness. It is certain to leave a lasting impression on anyone who picks it up and invests the time to be lost in Keigo Higashino absorbing prose – don't hesitate to take a trip to the Namiya General Store to see for yourself.
