The Third Love

This story follows Riko, a rather isolated housewife without any seeming goal in her life. She often thinks about her school days where she bonded with the school's janitor. Years later she runs into him again and begins to have lucid dreams that take her back in time to ancient Japan. Inspired by the classic Tales of Genji the author Kawakami draws on historical characters and depicts the different kinds of love in Japan through the ages. In the first half we follow Riko to the Edo period where she is sold at a young age to an entertainment establishment, while in the second half she is a lady-in-waiting to a young princess. During the first half I was very engaged with the story, but the second half felt rather repetitiv - as I later found out the book was originally published as a series of short stories, which explaines why it isn't very cohesive at times and feels so repetitiv. Also while the historical setting was very well researched and immersive, the characters were rather boring and passive.

I enjoyed the story throughout. I only wished it was longer because I enjoyed seeing all the different stories unfold. The pace changes in the storytelling were very intruiging and while it feels a bit unusual at first, the depth of the story changing back and forth felt like a breath of fresh air. I like how the character explores different kinds if womanhood and the exploration of finding your place and happiness in the world. Left me thinking about my own choices and wishes for the future.

… It can feel a little unbearable at times because of its length. But the search for the meaning of love, the constant reflections and observations were definitely what kept me going. Although it may be true, that some parts of the story felt repetitive and not as interesting. I definitely have respect for the author, I can’t imagine the amount of research about language, Japan’s history and Folk culture. It actually made me want to learn more about Japan’s culture.