The easy life in Kamusari
The Easy Life in Kamusari (Japanese: Kamusari nānā nichijō) is a 2009 novel by Shion Miura. It follows Yuki Hirano, a city native, as he works a forestry job in a remote mountain area.[1] A movie adaptation (Wood Job!) premiered in 2014.[2] The novel was translated into English by Juliet Winters Carpenter in 2021.[3]
Author | Shion Miura |
---|---|
Original title | 神去なあなあ日常 |
Translator | Juliet Winters Carpenter |
Country | Japan |
Language | Japanese |
Series | Forest |
Genre | Bildungsroman |
Publisher | Tokuma Shoten |
Publication date | 2009 |
Published in English | 2021 |
Pages | 208 |
ISBN | 9781542027151 |
OCLC | 1237633352 |
Followed by | Kamusari Tales Told at Night |
Synopsis
Yuki Hirano, recently graduated from high school, finds himself signed up for forestry work by his parents.[4] Traveling to work in the remote village of Kamusari is difficult in many ways for Yuki, who was born and raised in the city; a new coworker even takes Yuki's cell phone and cheerfully disposes of it.[1]
Over the course of a year, the young man comes to appreciate the meticulous process of taking care of the trees and the environment around him.[5][6]
Characters
- Yuki Hirano - a young man from Yokohama, disillusioned with life and unexpectedly signed up for forestry work in mountainous, remote, forested Kamusari.
- Nao - a local schoolteacher in the village, and sister of Risa. She has a crush on Seiichi (her sister's husband).
- Yoki Iida - an employee of Nakamura Lumber, in Kamusari. He has bleached blond hair and a sense of humor. Yoki's wife is Miho; they live with Granny Shige.
- Iwao Tanabe - an employee of Nakamura Lumber, in Kamusari.
- Old Man Saburo - an employee of Nakamura Lumber, in Kamusari.
- Seiichi Nakamura - the friendly head of Nakamura Lumber. His wife, Risa, is the sister of Nao. Risa and Seiichi's son is named Santa.
References
- "THE EASY LIFE IN KAMUSARI | Kirkus Reviews". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- "Wood Job!: Kamusari nânâ nichijô". IMDB. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- Child, Percy (15 October 2021). "The easy life in Kamusari". Booklist. 118 (4): 23.
- Maloney, Iain (31 October 2021). "'The Easy Life in Kamusari': Leave the city behind, the mountains are calling". The Japan Times. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- Kelleher, Ella (6 July 2021). "BOOK REVIEW: THE EASY LIFE IN KAMUSARI (2021) BY SHION MIURA". Asia Media International. Loyola Marymount University. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- Fincher, Alison (1 November 2021). ""The Easy Life in Kamusari" by Shion Miura". Asian Review of Books. Retrieved 23 June 2023.