What you are looking for is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama (translated by Alison Watts) is a Japanese contemporary collection of interconnecting short stories. These works are centered around a community library in the Hatori ward of Japan. In this library, characters meet the enigmatic librarian Sayuri Komachi, who guides them to books and gives away little felt creations that profoundly impact their lives.
The five chapters explore the lives of a collection of different characters: Tomoka, a fashion retail worker desperate to quit and find another job; Natsumi, a former magazine editor who feels miserable after being relegated following the birth of her child; Ryo, an accountant who dreams of opening an antique store but believes it will never happen; Hiroya, a depressed artistic NEET (not employed, in education, or training) unhappy with his current situation of nothingness; and Masao, a former office worker who feels lost after dedicating sixty-five years of his life and is now retired. The library visitors range in age from twenty-one to sixty-five. Each character comes to the library seeking help, wanting to change a facet of their life, and they find it, though not in the way they expected, thanks to books and felt.
Sayuri Komachi is often described as an ethereal being by the characters, a guardian of the books. She always gives the characters what they are looking for, but more often than not includes a surprise book unrelated to their initial research. Along with the books she always gives a felt design to the patrons she says is a bonus item. Her felt creations range from obvious links to mysterious connections to the books the characters acquire. The perception from the characters on how to take these felt creations is marvelous to explore. I enjoy how these characters undergo beautiful transformations through unexpected journeys through reading and simple observations they get from the felt creations .
My favorite chapter is number four, starring Hiroya, the depressed artistic NEET (not employed, in education, or training). In the past, he tried to find a job in illustrating manga but was unable to break into the industry. After giving up on this dream he tried to find a regular nine to five job but was unable to keep them for long due to his personality. From my observations, I believe he is neurodivergent and needs to work within a certain system to avoid becoming overwhelmed by the work. However, because he doesn’t know this, he feels like a failure and in turn gives up on finding any job and resulting in him being unable to create any art.
There’s a memorable sequence between him and Sayuri after he feels defeated about not becoming a manga illustrator:
“Because only the chosen few can make a living from illustrating. Not just illustrating either—probably less than one person in a hundred can turn the thing they like doing into paid work.”
Ms. Komachi rolls her head again and lifts an index finger. “I’m going to give you a math lesson.”
“What?”
“In the case of one hundred people, one person out of a hundred is one percent, correct?”
“Yeah.”
“But in the case of one person doing the thing they want to do, there is only yourself, which means one person out of one, which is one hundred percent.”
“Huh?”
“So there’s a hundred percent chance.”
This powerful scene stuck with me, as Hiroya’s struggle to find a regular nine-five job and his defeatist attitude towards life made him give up on even trying to be a part of the world. I’m a writer and I’ll probably never be able to make it into a paid role but I will still write because it’s my passion. The conclusion of his chapter, where he finds a way to incorporate his passion and secure a job that accommodates his needs, makes this piece an enjoyable read. I was dejected when his chapter ended but pleasantly surprised to see him reappear in other characters’ stories though I shouldn’t have.
Each chapter focuses solely on one character, with previous characters becoming side characters, brief mentions or never referred to again. I enjoy this approach as it keeps the reader from being distracted from a previous story. There’s always a delightful surprise when a previous story interconnects. If you have questions about earlier characters or people who were barely mentioned, keep reading; you’ll likely find your answers.This mirrors reality poetically, where in one story you’re the main character and in another you’re a side character.
The writing and story engross the reader and drives you forward to read. I slowed down intentionally reading because I just never wanted the book to end. I initially borrowed this book from the library, but after reading it, I’ve decided it’s a must-buy for any reader’s collection. This book is a solid five out of five.