The Phone Box at the Edge of the World

This was such a charming book and so much more than I anticipated. Although the subject matter surrounding the novel was extremely sad and heart-wrenching it was surprisingly an uplifting story, one of hope, grief and moving forwards. Based on a real life natural disaster you are immediately drawn to the families that have been affected and cannot help but feel their pain and grief at losing love ones. The way they manage to still function is absolutely astounding and this is where the book's focus is, on the ones left behind learning to carry their pain and put one foot in front of the other day by day.

The story centres around Yui, who has lost her own mother and her young daughter. As a radio DJ she hears about a phone box where people from all over are travelling to to talk to their love ones. Yui decides to visit and meets a whole host of characters who are also grieving. Some who have lost love ones in the tsunami, others from natural illness or old age. All who find not only comfort in the ritual of visiting the phone box but a place to morn their love ones as part of their grieving process.

The story is told in such a beautiful way, almost poetic at times and I found it moving and humbling. The individual stories of the other characters were very touching, as well as following Yui on her own journey of self discovery after losing the most precious things in her life. This book made me reflect on my own life, my hopes, my dreams, my anxieties and on how blessed I truly am.

Many thanks to Bonnier Books for my gifted copy of The Phone Box at the Edge of the World.