title: Paris Is a Party, Paris Is a Ghost by: Kim, David Hoon published: 2021-08-03 read: 2023-05 preview

A moving book about Henrik, a Danish boy, man, adopted out of Japan, who decides to go to France to learn to be an English <–> French translator.  And loves a Japanese girl there who kills herself. 

And so the book has three parts, “Fumiko,” “Before Fumiko” and “After Fumiko”.  Not a coming-of-age book, but certainly a book in which Henrik comes to terms with what happens in the first part of the book.  Initially, the three parts seem unrelated, but Henrik’s pain with life is where it comes together.  His memories with his girlfriends in part 2, also with Fumiko.  But also, is his godchild Gém in part 3 a replacement for Fumiko, in some metaphysical sense?

I liked the book, but I didn’t love it.  I do wish Fumiko did not die, that part hurt.  And Gém did not, all fine there, but still a shouting-silent sadness which was not necessary.  As life goes.

Anyway.  Recommended, but I’m ok if you don’t read it.