A review by readivine
The Miracles of the Namiya General Store by Keigo Higashino

5.0

"You are not just here to fill space or be a background character in someone else's movie. Consider this: nothing would be the same if you did not exist. Every place you have ever been and everyone you have ever spoken to would be different without you. We are all connected, and we are all affected by the decisions and even the existence of those around us." --David Niven

This was truly a heartwarming yet tear-inducing read reminiscent of the quaint magic Studio Ghibli films always have. No one would expect that Keigo Higashino, a resident powerhouse of the Japanese crime fiction genre, would be the genius behind this masterpiece. However, I noticed that all of his books always examine the value of filial love and have a heartfelt theme despite the fact that the story centers on a murder.

The Miracles of the Namiya General Store follows this theme as well and fleshes out the lives of the letter senders in the past and weaves it into an intertwining tapestry of human relationships transcending time. At times, I was frustrated with the three delinquents' brash ignorance and I wished that their personal stories were also examined more. However, they had developed by the end quite well and I was really touched with their reflections brought by the magic pervading in the store.

I really felt elated and full of love while reading this book! It really emphasized how our words influence the course of people's lives without really knowing the magnitude of its effects on them. This is by far one of my favorite pieces from Keigo Higashino, and I'm now sure of the fact that he's my favorite author of the year.

P.S. There's also a movie released in 2017 so I'm off to watch it now and cry all over again HAHAHA.
P.P.S. I just finished watching the movie and I loved it especially when the song Reborn was performed huhuhuh I still love the book more though as it's more nuanced and contemplative.