The Pachinko Parlour

Nothing happens in this novel.
But it's such a pregnant silence, fraught with history, shame, impostor syndrome, uncertainty and ultimately a broken relationship with the self, it becomes a hazy echo-chamber of a book, in which readers can actually feels on their own skin the hot and humid, disorientating Japanese summer, occasionally interrupted by the soft plinging and dinging of a pachinko machine.

4.5 stars.

The Pachinko Parlor by Elisa Shua Dusapin is a slice-of-life novel that follows a women and her friendship with the young girl she's tutoring her to help her with her French. There isnt much to say, since its very character-based and “bland”. I'm not using “bland” as derogatory, but more like it's very plain. But, the writing is beautiful, and really fits this genre of literature. You should check this one out if you like general/literary fiction!
actual rating: 3.75