Hiro Arikawa, internationally lauded for The Travelling Cat Chronicles, presents the poignant The Passengers on the Hankyu Line, which compiles quotidian glimpses of train travelers in Japan's Kansai region. An opening "Dramatis Personae" introduces 11 passengers traveling in one direction, then traveling back six months later.
Seven narratives emerge among the 11 passengers. Devoted library visitors Masashi and Yuki's mutual love of literature overflows toward each other. Shoko finds self-acceptance after upstaging her ex-fiancé's wedding. Tokié and her granddaughter, Ami, share canine-owning aspirations. Misa dumps her violent boyfriend, Katsuya. Etsuko worries about her future after high school graduation. Awkward university students Kei'ichi and Miho fall into first love. Yasué prioritizes her needs over the bullying expectations of the mothers' group she's outgrown. As they move between stations, random encounters inspire and bind these regular patrons.
Throughout Allison Markin Powell's thoughtful English translation, Arikawa's prowess as an observant, empathic writer unfolds in her seamless ability to capture small details that prove pivotal in individual lives: "A certain internationally recognizable mouse" on a tote bag is unforgettable; an "infamous textbook" means shared experiences; "fried rice" leads to a revelatory moment. Words, too--particularly delivered offhand--carry significance and transform whole lives: suggesting a "lovely station for a respite"; an overdue judgment of "that good-for-nothing"; entitlement called out with "What a waste of a nice handbag." In all these interactions, kindness wins, kindness rewards. Arikawa persuasively looks deep inside disparate souls, sharing illuminating realizations, supporting heartfelt decisions, and encouraging reinventions for everyday people living their everyday lives. --Terry Hong