After reading GentleRain’s review of I Wish I Could Say “Thank You” by Yukari Takinami, I researched and found that while my bookstore could order me a copy, I decided that I would go the interlibrary loan route. I figured I could purchase a copy if I enjoyed it at a later time. And I probably will do that, but instead of keeping it for myself, I will donate it to my local library. I think others might be interested in this not easy to read, but powerful, memoir.
This story is about a mother and daughter relationship. It is about how Takinami and her mother react to each other, how the mother reacts to her other children (especially her older daughter) and how everyone tries to help out, while balancing their own lives, and grieves as the mother dies from cancer. As the family is Japanese, there are cultural differences, but due to this happening in the mid-2000’s things are modern and relatable to a Western reader. Depending on your own relationship with your mother and/or parents or your siblings (if you have them), you will take away something personal to you and that will vary from reader.
The illustrations add a uniqueness to things. They do not necessarily “lighten the mood” but the slight “non-realness” does take a less serious approach, and shows you the main narrator/author and where she is coming from. It gives things a slightly less intensity, but the tension is still there. The cover made me think of paperdolls. I am not sure if this was Takinami’s intent, but it fits.
This is an emotional book. You could find yourself “rooting” for the mom or her daughters (the son plays a small role in the actual narration of events) or both at the same time. You might love, hate and both at the same time the antics of the mother. Maybe you think the older sister is right or wrong, or is treated as she should be by the mother; or maybe you think the younger sister is selfish, or perhaps selfless. It is truly an experience book that is worth reading.